PHILOSOPHY
In “How Young Children Learn Best”, a publication by the National Association
for the Education of Young Children, the association states that children learn best when they have many opportunities to
interact and converse with others and balance child-initiated learning with teacher-directed activities. We have seen this philosophy proven again and again during our many years of providing quality child care
and preschool and we have adopted this philosophy as our own. At Shelton’s we put a great deal of energy into creating the best kind of learning environment.
We nurture the whole child by providing an excellent academic program, teaching good character qualities, and using appropriate
challenges and praise to foster self esteem. We believe this environment is the foundation for developing high-achieving students.
CURRICULUM
CHOICE TIME (learning through play)
Shelton’s
implements techniques that actively engage the children by giving them some control over their learning. One of these techniques,
“Choice Time” consists of two hours each day which the children spent in age and skill-appropriate groups. “Choice
Time”, in concert with teacher-directed activities is one of the ways we allow the children a certain amount of control.
The curriculum requires more of the children as they progress in age. Upon entering
the four-year old class, they will be introduced to a more academic approach to learning including beginning phonics and simple
math concepts.
SOCIAL INTERACTION/LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Because language is the foundation of understanding, we place special emphasis on developing strong language and communication
skills in preschoolers. We use instances in both free play and structured activities
to encourage sharing and cooperation. We constantly practice “using our
words” to resolve conflicts, ask for help, and express ourselves. We use
storytime to learn new words, adding to our growing language base. We also use
structured activities to teach listening skills and to demonstrate the need to hear and follow directions.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We strengthen hand/eye coordination when we play at dumping, pushing, scooping, packing, and gathering (small and large
motor coordination). We also “play” at balancing and lining up blocks,
picking up and placing objects and coordination for gestures and fingerplay (small motor coordination).
ACADEMICS
Many of our activities focus on letter, number, color and shape recognition (laying the foundation for later learning). During storytime we teach listening skills and the children practice retaining information. They also work on recognizing words, pictures and instruments.
PARENT INFORMATION
Additionally, as part of our curriculum, at the beginning of each month a newsletter will be sent home from your child’s
teacher. The newsletter will keep you informed of every month’s learning
focus and important happenings. At the end of each month you will receive an
informal progress report to help you monitor your child’s development; at the end of January, and again at the month
of June you will receive a more extensive progress report.
A TYPICAL DAY AT SHELTON’S PRESCHOOL
