SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The program provides ample opportunity
for the preschool child to practice their personal and social development.
The teachers focus on guidance and nurturing. The main goal is
to interact with the children both verbally and non-verbally to foster
independence and to provide support and reassurance for a preschool
child’s radically changing wants and needs.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
The preschool program gives the children
ample opportunities to expand their vocabulary and to practise their
developing language skills. The program focuses on the development of
both expressive and receptive language development.
Examples of language promoting activities
are:
Puppet play
Story time using various
types of books
Songs and finger plays
Role-play activities
Pictures and photographs
displayed and used as a tool for discussion
Sign Language
MATH EXPERIENCES
Preschool children learn through manipulation.
A variety of mathematical exper-iences are provided to encourage children’s
knowledge and understanding such as:
Sorting and classifying
materials by size, colour, and shape
Simple games
The use of counting materials
in a variety of ways
Number puzzles
Daily calendar
SCIENCE
Preschool children are very curious
about the world around them. We will provide the children with a variety
of opportunities to experience science and nature. Examples of activities
include:
All about animals and their
habitats
The use of materials such
as magnifying glasses and colour paddles to visualize the world in a
different way
Talking about life-cycles
(e.g.: butterflies, frogs, flowers)
All about dinosaurs
Community walks and field
trips to places of interest
Caring daily for the classroom
pet
Daily weather tracking
ART AND SENSORY PROGRAM
Art and sensory activities are an integral
part of the preschool curriculum. Children learn through their senses
and have an innate need to express themselves crea-tively. The Preschool
Program provides ample opportunities for the children to take part in
art and sensory activities. Some examples include:
Exposure to different types
of paint and collage materials
The use of modeling materials
such as clay, play dough, silly putty
Sand and water play
Activities that promote
cutting skills
Experience with a variety
of drawing materials (crayons, markers, pastels, etc.)
MUSIC PROGRAM
The music program will provide the
children with an eclectic range of musical experiences including:
Singing songs
Hands-on experience with
musical instruments
Dancing and movement experiences
promoting a sense of rhythm
Attend concerts given by
children’s entertainers
Exposure to a variety of
different types of music
Perform in the annual children’s
concert
FINE AND GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Physical growth is extensive during
the preschool years and the children have an intense need to exercise
both their large and small muscles. A variety of activities are offered
to meet the children’s growing physical needs. These include:
FINE MOTOR
Lacing activities using
beads in a variety of shapes and sizes
Puzzles in various degrees
of complexity
Scissors for simple cutting
activities
Practise with zippers, buttons,
and snaps
Use of various drawing implements,
e.g.: crayons, markers, pencils
GROSS MOTOR
Use of climbing equipment
Neighbour hood walks
Physical games
Dancing
Use of various sports equipment
(e.g., balls, ride-on toys, bean bags)
.
MEALTIMES
The daycare offers 2 daily snacks and
l hot mid-day meal. The classroom is equipped with child-sized tables
and chairs. Independence is promoted with the use of child-sized utensils.
Socialization is key during this part of the day so the children feel
that mealtimes are pleasant and unhurried. Meals are catered by “La
Recolte” and special dietary requirements are available upon request.
TOILETTING
The senior school is equipped with
a bright bathroom space encompassing child-sized sinks and toilets.
Most children moving to the preschool program are toilet trained, but
diapering is available for those who need it. Parents are required to
provide diapers and to be very involved in the toilet training process.
SLEEPING
The preschool children nap once a day
from 1 – 3 pm. The room is set up to be conducive to resting with
dim lighting and soft music. Each preschooler has a child-sized cot
and brings a blanket and comfort toy from home. Non-sleepers are encour-aged
to rest for one hour, after which time they get up and do quiet activities
so as not to wake up their sleeping friends.
STORAGE SPACE
Each preschooler has their own cubby
for the storage of their personal belongings. Each child is required
to have at least one set of spare clothing and appropriate outdoor wear,
including footwear. Sunscreen is required during the warmer months.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
During the summer months of July and
August the preschoolers take part in many field trips throughout the
city. The children travel by either TTC or by school bus. (School buses
are equipped with seat belts). This is a very special time for the pre-schoolers
and provides lots of special memories of their preschool experience
at Grace Church Daycare. This part of the curriculum provides the children
with com-munity awareness and an expansive knowledge of their city.
Some examples of trips include:
Centre Island
The Toronto Zoo
High Park
The Royal Ontario Museum
The Art Gallery of Ontario
A local Fire Hall
CN Tower
Some field trips are self-directed
by the staff and some field trips include organized programs at the
scheduled destination.
The preschoolers also take part in
programs during March Break, including magic shows, concerts, and puppet
shows hosted by the Toronto Public Library.
Library visits are a part of the curriculum
during the months of March through November. This time is used for book
exchange and also for taking part in organized programs held by the
librarian.
OUTDOOR PLAY
The preschoolers go outside twice a
day for outdoor play. The centre is equipped with a wonderful playground
complete with soft rubberized surface, large climber for all ages and
huge sand area. A variety of ride-on toys are available as well as a
variety of balls, hockey and baseball equipment plus lots of equipment
for sand play.
During weather when outdoor play is
not possible, we have the availability of a large gym. The gym is equipped
with mats of varying shapes and sizes, various balls for ball play,
and a variety of ride-on toys. This area is also used for music and
movement activities and organized games where a large area is required.
The preschoolers also take part in
walks around the community and visit local parks.
The preschool program at Grace Church
continues to evolve as each new group of preschoolers pass through our
lives. One thing we know to be true is that our preschoolers teach us
as much as we teach them!