Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

Our Pre-Kindergarten Program begins each September for four year olds. Our purpose in establishing this program was to provide a more academic and structured program for the children going to Kindergarten the next year. Since many of the children are at our school for several years, we felt that they would benefit by having a class to introduce more advanced activities.

Along with a variety of materials designed to promote the skills appropriate for four year olds, the room is equipped with materials developed by Maria Montessori to help children learn through the use of all their senses. The teacher guides the child through the progression of skills that the materials are designed to teach. There are three main groups of materials. The first group encourages sensory development with such things as sound cylinders and color tablets. Another group enables the child to get a good grasp of basic mathematics by using a variety of items for counting and numeral recognition. A third group teaches phonics through the use of the three-part lesson and the sense of touch.

The broad goals of the Pre-Kindergarten Program include learning to follow directions, finishing both teacher-assigned and self-directed tasks, and taking responsibility. The children are encouraged to choose their own activities, serve themselves snack, and to clean up both the snack area and room. More specific goals include work on letter recognition, phonics, knowledge of numerals and counting, the learning of their addresses and phone numbers, the ability to spell and write their first name, development of visual and auditory memory, development of listening skills, and work on logical thinking.

The amount of time available in this class allows the teacher to take advantage of the longer attention span of the four year old, while still acknowledging that it is less than that of a Kindergarten child. We will have the time to do more involved crafts, experiments, games and cooking. There will be time for the teacher to work individually with each child, keeping track of progress on specific tasks and working on those areas that need more attention.

We look forward to having your child participate in our Pre-Kindergarten Program because we believe that we are offering a well-rounded program encouraging the academic, creative, social, and physical growth necessary for a successful future.

KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM

Since 1987, Del Mar Hills Nursery School has been offering a Kindergarten Program. This class is limited to ten students and is in session from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Extended hours are available for your child from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This small class offers an opportunity for individual attention and your child’s emotional well being — one more year in a familiar, comfortable environment.

We offer all aspects of education required by law in our kindergarten curriculum. Listed below are the curriculum guidelines.

I. Language

• Oral expression
• Reading readiness
• Beginning writing - manuscript
• Foreign language introduction
  

II. Mathematics

III. Social Studies and Science

IV. Special Interests

• Cooking
• Art
  

V. Orff Schulwerk

We encourage our parents to give this class consideration as enrollments for the September Kindergarten classes are accepted in January. If you have any questions about the program or curriculum, please contact one of the Directors.

©2006 Trump's Del Mar Hills Nursery School. Inc.