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Smart Start Program
COURSE OF STUDY
The Smart Start Early Learning program emphasizes the development of the whole child through active learning situations. We believe in a balanced, developmentally appropriate approach to education, providing freedom for spontaneous play and interaction as well as structured activities in which children learn to focus attention and function in a group. We believe that it is important to provide opportunities, which encourage the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of a child, while also offering activities, which allow development in cognitive-academic areas. Our students learn by doing, by using a great variety of materials.
Our Early Learning Curriculum is based on the following:
Each child is special and unique.
Children are best served in small groups allowing for more individual attention.
Early learners benefit from structure, order and clear expectations.
Early learners learn most successfully with hands-on materials and experiential activities.
Each child grows and develops at his/her own rate.
As children’s individual needs are observed, we can provide an appropriate environment to encourage growth and development opportunities – intellectual, physical, emotional or social.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Literature, Language
The Smart Start program focuses on language as a vehicle of thought.
Children learn to develop language skills that are begun at home.
Children sing.
Children learn to listen to stories and poems for literary experience.
Children learn to follow picture/word directions.
Children learn to join in and follow along in the reading of enlarged texts.
Teachers model writing and encourage children to write at their own developmental level.
Children talk, talk, talk, and talk.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics provides order in the world.
The Smart Start program focuses on numbers, numerals, counting, measuring shapes and patterns.
Children use objects to represent mathematical concepts.
Children learn math concepts directly by using manipulatives.
Children develop math understandings in every day situations.
Children learn math concepts indirectly during purposeful play.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social studies helps children learn how they fit in the picture of life.
The Smart Start program (people, geography, history, economics, self, and others) help children learn how they fit in the larger picture of life with other people.
Children develop a healthy self-concept.
Children learn about people here and in other parts of the world.
Children learn patriotism.
Children learn the importance of cooperation, helping, sharing, and following rules.
The classroom becomes a community for learning.
SCIENCE
Science helps us explore the world.
The Smart Start program focuses on many areas of science.
Children explore and discover.
Children have hands-on experiences.
Children use their senses to observe, describe, and predict.
Children learn about living things (plants and animals).
Children learn about our earth and surrounding space.
Children learn about the physical world.
HEALTH
Health helps establish beneficial, lifelong habits.
Children learn to choose a variety of nutritious foods.
Children learn the importance of hygiene, including hand washing, to prevent the spread of germs.
Children learn about safety at home and at school, in including playground and fire safety.
Children learn about the importance of regular medical care and the safety issues of medicine and drugs.
Children learn the value of regular exercise.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Smart Start program engages children in physical development activities to develop the following:
Large muscles – running, jumping, galloping, skipping and climbing.
Small muscles – cutting, coloring, and tracing.
ENRICHMENT
Child development is enhanced and encouraged through various enrichment activities.
Smart Start students participate in Physical Education, Classics/Library, Art, Music, and Dance.
Smart Start students are taught Foreign Languages.
Smart Start students enjoy a variety of off-campus field trips to broaden their experiential background.
Smart Start children enjoy many theme-based art and cooking activities.
Smart Start students participate in all school-wide themes and celebrations.