Preschool Program

A member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and the CAEYC (the California Association for the Education of Young People), our preschool adheres to a developmentally appropriate method of teaching. The program is applied in an age-appropriate manner and customized to the child’s level of development: socially, physically, cognitively, emotionally, and creatively. We provide a safe and nurturing environment that is stimulating and supportive to the growth of our students. It is through art, creative expression, and group projects that the students of the Pilgrim Preschool learn most successfully. As a precursor to our Junior Kindergarten program, the preschool program offers our preschoolers the guidance and instruction to flourish within future levels of education offered at Pilgrim School.

The preschool curriculum emphasizes the development of essential cognitive foundations within a context of meaningful hands-on activities and a positive, supportive environment. Our goal is to create and nurture independent thinkers and problem solvers. Development of essential foundations assures that the children in our care will be ready to meet the intellectual demands associated with formal schooling. Below are the areas in which foundations of learning are developed at Pilgrim School.

Our Preschool Curriculum

Reading Readiness
•             Increasing verbal and vocabulary skills
•             Expressing ideas clearly
•             Gaining a love of literature
•             Recalling sequence of events
•             Listening and following directions
•             Exploring creativity and imagination
•             Recognizing letters, numbers and colors
•             Enjoying songs, stories and experimental projects

Arithmetic Concepts
•             Putting things in order, sorting and sequencing
•             Matching and classifying shapes and sizes
•             Creating and noticing patterns
•             Comparing, recognizing and counting numbers
•             Building and developing spatial concepts
•             Describing and extending rhythmic, verbal and visual patterns

Science
•             Exploring and experimenting with sensory materials
•             Observing animals, objects, and environment
•             Discovering sound, tastes and smell
•             Playing with sand, water, rice and corn meal
•             Taking things apart
•             Growing flowers and vegetables
•             Developing an awareness of the world
•             Asking questions and fostering curiosity

Writing
•             Developing left to right sweep movement
•             Painting and pouring
•             Using scissors
•             Building with blocks and puzzles
•             Drawing horizontal and vertical lines
•             Scribbling to express ideas
•             Pre-writing activities using sand, play dough, paint, crayons, letters shapes and sizes
•             Using Handwriting Without Tears Program for teaching pre-printing and printing

Social Studies
•             Developing self-esteem
•             Learning social behaviors and an understanding of social mores
•             Participating in conflict resolution skills
•             Making choices
•             Problem solving
•             Making friends
•             Embracing an appreciation for themselves and others

Physical Education
•             Strengthening the large muscles of the body, as well as fine motor skills (small fingers and hand    muscles)
•             Problem solving
•             Following instructions and directions
•             Gaining self-awareness
•             Strengthening hand-eye coordination

Creative Movement
•             Learning body awareness
•             Developing coordination and rhythm
•             Following instructions
•             Working with others in the group
•             Learning early ballet movements