Wee Wisdom - Nursery School & Child Care Center

Curriculum

Because our curriculum is unique, we have chosen to only include our introductions to each specific age group. When you make an appointment to tour our facility, a complete copy of our curriculum will be provided. Please call our office today to schedule and appointment to tour!

The Toddler Curriculum (2-3 years of age):

The second year of life is a time of rapid growth. Early two year-olds may speak in sentences of three or more words and correctly pronounce and use approximately 50 words while at age three, children may use longer sentences and their vocabulary may consist of nearly 900 words.

Like all preschool children, two and three year-old children are egocentric; that is, they are unable to see another’s point of view and therefore find it difficult to share materials and toys. This is particularly true of later two year-olds and early three-year olds, who often demonstrate resistant behavior around transition times.

Nevertheless, later two year-olds and early three year-olds are capable of demonstrating certain skills, and the activities in this curriculum support those abilities. For example, two year-olds begin to enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. They can imitate the behavior of older children, as well as, the actions of adults. In art, they are able to paste collage pieces to paper. Further, their vertical scribbling strokes eventually evolve into faces as they approach the age of three.

The primary play of two and three-year old children is sensory motor, which is the free movement of large and small muscles. They are able to walk up and down stairs and run without constantly falling. Late two year-olds can engage in simple symbolic or make-believe play. They can pretend to drink from a cup, for example, by using a cylindrical block instead of a real cup.

These and many other characteristics are classified under the areas of cognitive, language, self, social studies, math, science, and gross and fine motor movements. We will introduce a total of seventy-two skills and concepts during the Toddler school year. These skills will appear on progress reports that you will be given during a biannual parent-teacher conference.

The Tuesday-Thursday Curriculum (3-4 years of age):

Constant motion, eagerness, curiosity and joy of life characterize the preschool child. During this year, abilities undergo rapid change and expansion. Motor skills are being perfected. Vocabulary and intellectual skills expand rapidly, allowing the child to express ideas and solve problems. Preschool children believe strongly in their own ideas and opinions. At the same time, they are developing some sense of the needs of others and some degree of control over their own behavior. Throughout this year, they strive for independence, yet they need continual reassurance that an adult is available to give assistance, to comfort, or to rescue them if needed.

Earlier conflicts, centered around struggles for independence, become fewer as children enter their third year of life. They are interested in cooperating and in accepting adult’s directions. There is also an effort to delay gratification; in other words, they have less need to have what they want, “right now”. Furthermore, three year-olds appear to love life. They have an irrepressible urge to find out about everything in their immediate world.

Your child’s teacher will introduce a new topic every one to two weeks. Songs, finger plays, and art projects will correspond with the weekly topic that your child’s teacher selects. Skills learned during this important year of life will appear on progress reports that you will be given during a biannual parent-teacher conference.

The Monday-Wednesday-Friday Curriculum (4-5 years of age):

Four and five year-olds are bundles of energy. They seem to be engaged in non-stop activity during every waking moment. Bouts of stubbornness and arguments may be frequent between the child and parent or caregiver. It is a time of constantly testing limits in order to practice self-confidence and firm up a growing need for independence. At this age, many children are loud, boisterous, and even belligerent. They try adults’ patience with their silly talk and silly jokes, their constant chatter and endless questions. At the same time, four and five year-olds have many lovable qualities. They are enthusiastic, try hard to be helpful, have lively imaginations, and can plan ahead to some extent.

The Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum (5-6 years of age):

Pre-Kindergarten programs are effective when they focus on the unique educational needs of each child and support the total development of the child including physical, social, emotional, and intellectual abilities. Some children will enter class possessing advanced skills, while others will struggle the entire year to develop characteristics that are associated with five year-olds. The purpose of educating all children will not be lost - regardless of a child’s placement on the developmental continuum. Children must be nurtured, challenged, and supported in a positive manner. Even though individual characteristics and needs should be emphasized, there are common elements which describe behaviors, dispositions, and abilities that will be used to guide the planning of appropriate learning experiences for young children at Wee Wisdom.