Even if this is not their first year of preschool, school for the three-year-old will be a new and different experience! At this age, most children have language to express themselves and are becoming keen to interact with their classmates. They are more capable of taking care of their personal needs, and are excited to be a “big kid.” They are just starting to understand their own feelings and those of the people around them. For these reasons, we believe that the role of the preschool in this class is to help teach social skills, to help children understand the give-and-take of relationships, to recognize the importance of cooperation, and most importantly, to feel they are in a safe place to try these new skills.
The three-year-old curriculum is based on units of study. Some examples are animals, getting ready for winter, pets, and transportation. The daily art project has two objectives: Firstly, to introduce a process to the children and, secondly, to show them how to follow several steps or directions. In the three-year-old class, we are much more interested in having the children participate in the process – whether it is painting, mixing, or gluing – rather than the finished product. This is a hands-on, exploratory learning experience. Circle and story time are an important part of the morning. Children at this age love repetition of songs and finger plays. The school morning is a balance of free play, structured activities, and outdoor play.
2024-25
- 3-Day 3s – Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- 4-Day 3s — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sample Schedule for the Monkey’s Class
9:30 Arrival
9:30 – 9:45 Riding room
9:45 – 10:45 Free play, art project, sensory materials, activity centers, small group activity
10:45 – 10:55 Clean up, bathroom break, hand washing
10:55 – 11:10 Snack
11:10 – 11:20 Reading rug (individual/small group reading)
11:20 – 11:40 Circle time
11:40 – 11:45 Bathroom break
11:45 – 12:15 Outdoor play
12:15 – 12:30 Group reflection on the day, transition to Lunch Bunch or dismissal