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Philosophy
The goal of the Preschool Program is to provide a
developmentally appropriate program that allows children
to learn at his/her own pace and in their own style.
Children should be active learners. We want children to
become independent, self-confident, and curious about
their environment. Play is the work of children, and they
learn best through active participation. Through planned
activities in our daily schedule, we hope to accomplish
these goals with your children. The curriculum is designed
to place emphasis on the following areas of development.
Curriculum
Social/Emotional
Develop a positive self-concept
Develop relationships with teachers, other adults,
and peers
Accept limits and routines
Foster curiosity
Teach problem solving and conflict resolution
Play in an appropriate manner
Establish trust relationships
Physical Development
- Learn control of their body and gain coordination
- Take care of self-help skills such as eating,
dressing, and toileting
- Increase large and small muscle skills
- Promote eye-hand coordination
- Promote healthy nutrition
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Cognitive Development
Problem solve through hands on exploration
Exposure to basic concepts such as colors, shapes,
letters, and numbers
Use language to communicate
Compare and contrast objects
Sort and classify by different properties
Recognize and duplicate patterns
Develop one to one correspondence
Sequence
Spatial awareness
Measuring
Observe and hypothesize
Develop thinking skills
Language
Ability to express thoughts, feelings, and
experiences
Speak clearly in multiple word sentences
Converse in play situations and with adults
Tell a story
Increase vocabulary
Develop interest in books, stories, and songs
Use pictures to read
Begin to recognize printed letters and sounds
Recognize, copy, and begin to print name
Use speech for social interaction and immediate
needs
Creative Development
- Explore the environment through senses
- Use different art media
- Create
- Try out roles in dramatic play
- Experience real life and fantasy by pretending
- Use bodies for creative music and movement
- Show an appreciation and interest in art
With these basic foundations and
skills, we hope to be able to give your child a successful
start in school. Our most important goal is to make your
child an enthusiastic learner with a positive sense of
self. This we hope will make a difference throughout their
lives.
Staff Bios
Nancy Polanis
- Nancy is the lead
Early Childhood Educator for the preschool program. She
has been with the Discovery Center program since its
inception in January of 1980. She holds a Bachelors
degree in Child and Family Studies from Penn State.
Nancy opens up the building each day at 6:45 a.m.
Lori Burnham -
Lori is an
assistant teacher, splitting her time as an assistant in
one of the Montessori classrooms and lead teacher in the
afternoon preschool program. Lori originally joined our
staff in 1984. Lori has over 24 years experience
working with Infants and Toddlers, preschoolers and
elementary age children. Lori will complete her CDA
(Child Development Associate Credential) in December
2008.
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