Little Flower Nursery School

310 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 777-1281

Educational Program

Each child is unique in his/her physical, emotional, social , spiritual and cognitive development and each child has a different learning style. We will do our utmost to implement an educational program which is based on New York State Department of Education standards, our knowledge of child development and the Criteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs, as defined in the Guidelines and Appropriate Development Practices of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Our educational program is designed to develop the young child?s love for learning, academic readiness. It is also designed to expose the children to the tenets of the Christian/Catholic heritage in a positive manner. It is implemented by means of well-planned, hands-on individual and small group activities, balanced to include teacher-directed, and children chosen sequenced activities, and based on long-term educational objectives covering all facets of the curriculum, including: The development of a healthy self-concept. The development of social skills. The development of thinking, questioning, reasoning and experimenting skills. The development of language and literacy. The development of gross and fine motor skills. The development of sound health, safety and nutritional practices. The development of creative expression and appreciation for the arts.

Our educational program has been proven effective because children participate actively in their learning. Our program considers the age and experience of the learners and is based on the wisdom and experience of educators who have used it and who recognize the critical importance of educational experiences during the early years. Little Flower Nursery School strives towards a healthy balance between flexibility and structure.

Curriculum Goals

GOAL 1. To foster the development of a positive self-concept Teach by example and activities the wonder and marvel of God?s love for each child. Allow time for children to talk about what they see, do and like Use children's names frequently in songs and games. Display children's work and photos of children Encourage children to draw pictures, tell stories about self and family Provide many opportunities for children to demonstrate self-help skills

GOAL 2. To develop social skills and character Assist children in social interaction Create space and time for small groups of children to work cooperatively (build blocks together , enjoy dramatic play, solve a puzzle, prepare a mural, etc.) Provide opportunities for practicing virtues by encouraging sharing, caring and helping; assign responsibilities.

GOAL 3. To develop thinking, questioning, reasoning, and experimenting skills Note: See Mathematics curriculum Plan activities for labeling, classifying, sorting objects by shape, color, size. Discuss weekly routines in terms of time concepts and seasons of the year. Extend children's thinking and learning during activities by adding new materials, asking open-ended questions, offering ideas and suggestions, joining in their play and providing assistance in solving problems. Observe natural events such as seeds growing, the life cycle of pets. Take walks around the building, the neighborhood and the community. Encourage water and sand play.

Goal 4. To develop language and literacy Note: Please see pamphlet: Reading in the Early Childhood Years Read books and poems, tell stories about experiences, talk about pictures, write down experience stories children dictate. Provide time for conversation and ask children open-ended questions which require more than one-word answers. Answer children's questions Add more information to what a child says. Label materials, furniture, "everything" in room, use written words with pictures, provide a print-rich environment. Use flannel boards, puppets, song as and finger plays. Encourage children's emerging interest in writing stories.

Goal 5. To enhance physical development Provide time and play for jumping, climbing, balancing, running, riding tricycles. Provide creative movement activity using obstacle courses or activity songs. Provide fine motor activities such as stacking rings, beading, pegboards and puzzles; and lacing, learn how to hold a pencil correctly. Writing readiness exercises (scribbling, drawing, tracing, copying, writing)

Goal 6. To develop sound health and nutritional practices. Implement activities to develop health and safety awareness at school, at home in the community. Encourage health practices such as washing hands. Cook and serve a variety of nutritious foods. Discuss good nutrition. Talk about visits to the doctor and dentist.

Goal 7. To develop creative expression and appreciation for the arts. Plan and implement creative art and craft activities such as finger painting, brush painting, drawing, collage, murals, play dough. Schedule periods of dancing, creative movement, dramatics. Schedule musical activities such as listening to music, singing, playing instruments.

PHILOSOPHY OF DISCIPLINE

Children will be supervised at all times and given warm care and guidance daily. We will encourage the development of conscience and social skills by setting consistent clear limits. Situations requiring discipline will be handled with supportive language. When a child's behavior is not acceptable, such as hitting, kicking, biting and other hurtful actions, we will respond by naming the behavior. The children will be encouraged to calm down, regain self-control, withdraw from the situation and redirected to a new activity. We will try to resort to encouragement, inventiveness and humor instead of competition, comparison and criticism.

© 2003 Little Flower Nursery School Curriculum

LITTLE FLOWER NURSERY SCHOOL 310 East Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, NY 10543 THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM and CURRICULUM GOALS As defined in the accreditation procedures of the National Association for the Education of Young Children

For further information regarding Little Flower Nursery School we encourage you to attend our guided tours. Please call (914) 777-1281 to schedule a visit. We look forward to meeting you.