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ST. MICHAEL'S PRESCHOOL

Preschool Graduation

St. Michael's Preschool Philosophy

The students of St. Michael’s Preschool learn in a Christ-centered environment, which fosters the formation and growth of the whole child. We believe each child is a unique creation of God. We respect all children’s natural curiosity about their world and their desire to be independent. We appreciate the miracle of each child’s development and prepare materials and surroundings to challenge a child’s spirit of discovery and wonder.

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Mindful that learning is a lifelong process, teachers, as facilitators of learning, assist students in exploring the world around them to ask questions, to experiment, and to realize the joy of discovery. Teachers offer opportunities for children to develop and learn academic, language, and social skills. Through their example, they also foster the concepts of fairness, respect, and love for God and one another.

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Recognizing and valuing the role of parents as primary educators, in partnership with them, we strive to assist the students in developing spiritually, morally, academically, physically, socially, and emotionally. In doing so, we encourage parental communication and involvement.

St. Michael's Preschool Curriculum

St. Michael’s Preschool Curriculum is designed to provide a foundation of developmentally appropriate experiences. It is our goal to nurture each student in a safe environment where they can begin to become lifelong learners. We focus on monthly thematic units of study which incorporate religion, language, literacy, math, social studies, science, and creative arts. Our students are encouraged to learn and grow through play, as well. We offer a dynamic and educational experience that includes teacher directed activities, independent learning, large and small group activities, and indoor/outdoor play. St. Michael’s Preschool is committed to developing the whole child in a loving, caring, Christ-centered environment.

Getting Your Child Ready for Preschool

Read to your child everyday

This should be a top priority. Children love to read books with their parents. Ask your child questions about the book as you are reading and have him/her guess what will happen next.

Fine Motor Skills

Using Play Dough, tearing, gluing, and cutting paper all aid in fine motor skill development. The more your child uses his/her fingers, the better. Try making homemade Play Dough for an engaging activity. Tearing, gluing, and cutting old wrapping paper, mail advertisements, or magazines can be fun and a creative project. Allow your child to use child-friendly scissors to practice. Children should practice using the correct grip: thumb up in small hole, two fingers in larger bottom hole.

Oral Language

Talk to your child often and ask questions. Teach your child to use his/her words to solve problems and help them to find “kind” words when talking to others. Families who speak more than one language should make sure to include time each day for speaking English.

Mass

It is important that children attend Mass. Children going into Preschool should sit in the church rather than the “cry room”. The four-year-old class will attend Mass once a month beginning in October. We sit in the front row and it is important that the children are respectful. Weekly attendance will help them learn what is expected.

THE PRESCHOOL (THREE-YEAR-OLD) PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE FOLLOWING:

  • Developing an awareness of the love of God and encouraging both individual and group prayer

  • Strengthening social skills such as cooperation, helping, and sharing

  • Learning to follow simple, one-step directions

  • Encouraging language skills through music, books, and conversation

  • Guiding each child to strengthen their self-help skills

  • Increasing attention span through stories, music, and finger- plays

  • Strengthening fine motor skills by using Play dough, tweezers, paper tearing, lacing, and manipulatives

  • Introducing scissors, pencils/pens, and paintbrushes

  • Recognizing own name and beginning to write it, when ready

  • Recognizing shapes, colors, and numbers 1-10

  • Providing children outdoor time for gross motor development and social interaction

  • Strengthening creative development through dramatic play, block play, and various art mediums

  • Improving coordination and physical fitness through music and movement activities

THE PRE-KINDERGARTEN (FOUR-YEAR-OLD) PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE FOLLOWING:

  • Developing an awareness of the love of God and encouraging both individual and group prayer

  • Strengthening social skills such as cooperation, helping, sharing, and patience

  • Enhancing language skills through discussion and sharing

  • Increasing attention span and listening skills during story and circle time

  • Developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

  • Encouraging scissor, pencil/pen, and paintbrush use

  • Recognizing uppercase and lowercase letters and sounds, introducing numbers 1-20, shapes, and colors

  • Guiding children to become more independent and responsible for themselves (self-care)

  • Providing children outdoor time for gross motor development and social interaction

  • Strengthening creative development through dramatic play, block play, and various art mediums

  • Introducing days of the week, months, and seasons of the year

  • Recognizing and writing their first and last name

  • Exploring concepts of sorting, classifying, patterning, tracing, story sequencing, rhyming, journaling, and opposites

  • Improving coordination and physical fitness through music and movement activities

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