Preschool 3’s: Education and Development Program
From the age of 3 to 4, children are constantly questioning. They build theories and hypothesis of the world around them, and express their own ideas and thoughts to others. Understanding their surroundings, being aware of our context and having a sense of belonging becomes more significant to the children. They start to create with the intention to obtain a final product. Children are also very selective when it comes to choosing a certain material or tool for a specific purpose. As their fine motor skills are developing, tracing plays an important role at this age. They are offered possibilities to trace letters, numbers, and body shapes, over images projected on classroom walls. The written language becomes interesting as another way to communicate, and letters become more meaningful to them as they want to recognize sight words, write, and spell their names. To support this emerging interest there are daily opportunities to write using different materials in a learning activity center.
At Bundle of Joy, we believe that children learn and benefit from child-directed play activities. Through guided play, children make many important discoveries about their world; they acquire skill development in the areas of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical through devoting a portion of every day to guided play.
Active Learning© was developed at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center in Chapel Hill NC and tested in 17 child development centers. The Active Learning© Curriculum is designed for children from newborn to 24 months of age. The small group activities are designed to develop the senses, the imagination, and the skills to enjoy the arts.
Play is an important way for children to learn and understand about themselves and the world. Play can assist children to grow socially. Through play, children learn how to get along with others, to share, to cooperate, and to handle their differences. Play helps children express their feelings appropriately. Small and large muscles can develop through play. When children play, they develop skills like running, skipping, jumping, and throwing. Children also learn how to manipulate small objects such as crayons, beads and puzzles. Play helps children grow intellectually; as children build block towers, pour water, or experiment with paint, they learn to think about and solve problems.
Our primary goal with preschool age children is to help them become successful learners. In order to achieve skills in these areas, each Bundle of Joy preschool classroom includes activities in the following interest centers: Art, Dramatic Play, Music, Reading, Phonics, Art, Blocks, Manipulatives, Sensory Play, and Outdoor / Movement activities.
