Junior Kindergarten
A child-centered, activity oriented program based on the philosophy of learning through play. Junior Kindergarten capitalizes on the curiosity and interest of young children. Social, emotional, linguistic, physical, creative, and cognitive growth is fostered while accommodating different levels of development.
This is an educational program that is designed specifically for students to make the transition into the CDS Kindergarten Program upon completion.
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN SPECIFICS
A. Social and Emotional Development include relationships with other classmates and adults. Personal traits of independence, initiative, task commitment, and responsibility are strengthened. Additional activities stressing concepts such as cooperation and self-confidence will be emphasized in order to help the children adapt to the school environment.
B. Language Development at this level encompasses listening, speaking while paying attention to vocabulary and structure and the enjoyment of stories and books through involvement in group activities.
C. Physical Development is fostered through small and large muscle activities with attention placed on taking care of personal needs. The use of tools such as pencils, markers, brushes and scissors will also help to expand the children's motor skills.
D. Creative and Cognitive Development centers on participation in drama and music experiences and involves picture making and construction activities. Particular attention is given to activities which allow the pupil to practice problem solving and decision making skills as well as those which develop interests in print and mathematics materials.
The class room will be set up in "work areas" and "play areas" to facilitate better socialization amongst students. Several activity centers will be dispersed around the classroom.
Examples of these might be:
Art Area with paint, watercolors, clay and sponges
Play Kitchen Area with measuring cups, utensils, and toy appliances
Dress-Up Area where children will be able to put on costumes and pretend
Constructive Play Area with blocks, toys and games
Listening Area for storytelling and audiovisual activities
CURRICULUM
The curriculum for the Junior Kindergarten will emphasize pre-reading, pre-math, and early handwriting skills in order to meet the prerequisites for Kindergarten. Elements of the current Letterbook Phonics curriculum will also be incorporated, providing elementary phonics based activities. Enrichment classes will be offered every day. These include:
Field trips will be on a monthly basis to various locations in the local area.
TEACHER-STUDENT RATIO
There will be a nine to one ratio in the classroom. One teacher and one aide for eighteen students. The most students permitted in the Junior Kindergarten will be eighteen.