How Preschool Curriculum Can Make the Difference
To best leverage the early years of a child’s cognitive development, Little Lukes Preschool and Childcare Center’s experienced teachers work to build strong foundations for learning through advanced curriculum. Only then can children feel prepared for their next step - kindergarten!
Inside the Classroom
We are focused on engaging all of our young learners so that everyone can benefit from each and every exercise and lesson. For the most effective learning experience, we provide children with the opportunity to participate in all different types of settings, whether it be a large group, small group or individual-based learning.
Nearly every experience at Little Lukes provides children with social learning opportunities that assist them in the development of processing emotions and independent thinking skills, which are key to behavioral growth and communication.
On an average day, the essential subjects of Mathematics, Science, and English are touched upon through various activities. Through instruction in all of these areas, children are able to grow their exposure to fundamental subjects.
Mathematics
Basic math skills such as number recognition, counting objects and understanding basic measurements are all important areas of focus at Little Lukes.
During the week of February 26th, Little Lukes celebrated the life of Dr. Seuss. Teachers developed a creative math exercise to go along with Seuss’ book Ten Apples Up On Top. This lesson incorporated number recognition by having children make sets of apples after being shown a specific numbers; it also shaped fine motor skills by using tweezers to complete the activity, for some extra fun in the mix!
Science
Bringing science into the classroom is always exciting for the children and can also be a little messy! Science lessons at Little Lukes can include exploration in color mixing, simple, safe chemical reactions, understanding magnets, experimenting with liquid in different states (water and ice,) and even the life cycle of plants and animals!
Another science related example from Dr. Seuss week can be seen when the children explored liquid in a different state than it is usually seen. In the classroom, the kids experimented with Oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water) and GAK (a mixture of school glue and cornstarch). Through this exercise, the kids were able to see the different forms of liquid the mixtures take when touched.
English
When it comes to English and Language Arts, our wonderful teachers provide activities for the children that focus on letter recognition, sounds, syllables and rhymes, as well as letter sequencing and writing print.
During our celebratory week, Little Lukes teachers developed a clever exercise that merged English and Dr. Seuss’ best selling book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. In this exercise, the children worked on matching red and blue fish cutouts that were labeled with upper and lowercase letters; additionally, the children were encouraged to sequence the letters in alphabetical order and arrange the letters to spell names and beginning sight words.
Expanding the Classroom
In addition to a vast curriculum in Math, Science and English at Little Lukes, we invite outstanding outside educators and entertainers to expand the classroom lessons with music, yoga, dance, karate and theater. The kids love these opportunities that integrate both play and education through active engagement.
It’s important to remember that learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom, according to Jess Ellis, Little Lukes Curriculum Coordinator.
“Parents are their child’s first teachers. They encourage and support the importance of school for our little learners. As a result, children love to share their learnings with their parents and family members.”
Jess, and the Little Lukes team of educators, encourage parents to participate in activities like reading stories, singing together and playing games with their young children at home. Spending this type of quality time together sets the tone that parents value their child’s education and early learning years.
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Little Lukes Preschool & Childcare Center is a leading Central New York daycare provider with five locations. Our early education program is made up of credentialed and caring staff that specializes in comprehensive infant, toddler and pre-kindergarten development. Additional services include speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy for babies, toddlers and preschool children.
For optimal protection and safety for both students and staff, our facilities include keypad security doors and classroom-installed cameras. As a registered daycare center complying with nationwide regulations, Little Lukes creates a secure and engaging environment for children to develop and reach their individual goals.
