Before The Bell Preschool's learning philosophy is a combination of Montessori, Reggio and Play Based. Our themes are child and teacher directed while providing many opportunities for open-ended play. We also have class instruction time where hands on learning takes place.
DEVELOPMENTAL Skills
Pre-Reading
Pre-Reading
Pre-Reading
Left to right
Rhyme
Holds a book properly and turns pages
Understands that words convey the message in a story
Recognizes the first letter of their own name
Knows some letter names
Knows the main characters in familiar stories
Enjoys reading books with others
Recognizes Upper and Lower case letters
Language
Pre-Reading
Pre-Reading
Uses language to communicate with others for a variety of purposes (for example, describing something, making requests, greeting someone, etc.)
Speaks clearly to be understood by others
Uses accepted language and communication styles (for example, using polite manners, using appropriate volume and tone)
Tells simple stories
Uses accepted nouns, verbs and adjectives in familiar contexts
Understands words for common categories (for example, toys, food, clothes)
Uses sentences with two phrases or concepts
Writing
Pre-Reading
Writing
Holds a writing tool with a fist or finger grasp
Draws with a variety of tools (crayons, pens, pencils)
Scribble-writes in a linear fashion
Makes marks and refer to them as “my name”
Writes own name
Letter formation
Recognizes capital Letters
Knows words of colors and shapes
Math
Concept Development
Writing
Identifies some shapes such as circle, square and triangle
Understands and explores empty containers and full containers
Recognizes and matches small quantities to the number words 1, 2 and 3
Shows interest in numbers and recites some number words
Can count along with help, although might make mistakes
Distinguishes between "some" and "all," and parts of a whole
Uses some size words, such as "many"
Uses words such as "same as" to make comparisons
Shows interests in patterns and sequences
Classifies or sorts objects into simple groups (such as by colors and size)
Understands the order of the day, and begins to use some time words such as "morning" and "night"
Concept Development
Concept Development
Concept Development
Matches like objects, mainly identical objects, or matches objects by shape and color
Develops object permanence and understands that objects continue to exist even when out of sight
Shows interests in tinkering with objects by taking things apart and putting them back together
Explores with elements of nature, such as sand and water
Remembers short sequences of events of 2 to 3 steps
Science
Concept Development
Concept Development
Asks questions about objects, events and animals observed in their environment
Considers and offers explanations of how things might work
Shows interest in different animals and the sounds they make
Uses descriptive terms such as "fast" and "slow," "hot" and "cold"
Life cycles
Sensory
Force and Motion
Matter properties
Earth
Space
Earth Resources
Engineering
Creative Arts
Social Studies
Social Studies
Begins to use a variety of art tools such as crayon, construction paper and colored pencils
Knows a few color words
Drawings have basic resemblance to objects and people
Articulates what he/she is drawing
Likes to imitate sounds and rhythm; might have a favorite song
Uses realistic toys in pretend play or to imitate household routines
Engages in dramatic play with others to act out simple play scripts, such as playing house
Process Art
Scissor cutting skills
Uses basic shapes
Social Studies
Social Studies
Social Studies
Recognizes common features of the home and neighborhood, such as trees, houses and streets
Shows interests in familiar people such as siblings, family members and friends
Shows interests in common jobs and professions such as firefighter, doctor and nurse
Motor Skills
Social Studies
Social Skills
Increases proficiency in gross motor skills, strength and balance, such as jumping in place, standing on one foot, running and kicking
Develops gross motor coordination, such as to navigate around obstacles
Rides tricycles
Runs to kick a stationary ball
Improves hand-eye coordination when playing with building blocks and simple puzzles
Begins to improve pencil control by using fingers rather than the whole fist to grasp pencil and stylus
Begins to show left/right-handedness
Social Skills
Social Skills
Social Skills
Initiates and maintains independent play (for example, plays alone in the sandbox, or role-plays independently)
Enjoys doing things on their own sometimes, such as reading, crafts or getting dressed
Can separate from you for several hours, such as an afternoon at a friend’s house or a sleepover at Grandma’s
Appears interested in going to a “big-kid” school, learning new things, and/or meeting new friends
Enjoys participating in group activities
Can express emotions, needs and requests
Responds well to consistent routines, such as quiet time or naptime following lunch
Anticipates what comes next during the day (for example, knows that naptime follows lunch
STEAM
Social Skills
STEAM
Science requires preschoolers to not only answer but also to ask questions. Science powers curiosity, investigation, and problem solving, often involving experimentation and exploitation.
Technology refers to applying the scientific knowledge a preschooler gains. They do this by using the most basic tools like crayons and rulers, as well as more complex technological inventions like microphones and computers.
Engineering activities in preschool are concerned with the design and building. It is testing structures and designs, as well as discovering and testing posisble solutions.
Art encourages creativity and process development, as well as allows children to illustrate concepts they are learning.
Math isn’t limited to just number sense for preschoolers. It also includes the ability to see and create patterns, shapes, as well as organizational skills like graphing and sorting