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 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
Increase verbal and vocabulary skills
Express ideas clearly
Gain a love of literature
Recall sequence of events
Listen and follow directions
Explore creativity and imagination
Recognize letters, numbers and colors
Enjoy 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
Develop 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 clay, paint, crayons, letters, and shapes
Social Studies
Develop self-esteem
Learn social behaviors and an understanding of social mores
Participate in conflict resolution skills
Make choices
Problem solve
Embrace an appreciation for themselves and others