Jesus and Me – (JAM time)

Reading Bible stories, singing songs of praise and praying as a group are a big part of our Soaring Eagle’s program. We encourage the children to develop their faith in and love for Jesus. During JAM time we talk about sharing God’s love and following His example to be kind and helpful to others. Each month we have 2 bible stories that we focus on. Each week we build on previously taught lessons and stories. We use a curriculum from Concordia Publishing House to develop and teach our curriculum.

Language Arts/Literacy

Preschoolers in the Soaring Eagle’s program develop oral and written language skills through language arts education. We talk about real and imagined experiences, current events and projects. Students begin understanding the development of words through alphabet knowledge and phonics.  We read extensively and participate in finger plays, rhymes and songs. Written language is encouraged each day by writing names, words, creating basic sentences, etc. As part of our Literacy curriculum staff work with students to begin to identify how to read books; through pictures! Our staff encourage students to begin to understand the structure of words by sounding it out, creative spelling is one of our absolute favorite things in our classrooms!

Dramatic Play

Soaring Eagle’s develop their imagination and creative problem solving through dramatic play using our puppets and puppet theater, playing house with friends and playing games. The dramatic play center allows students to express their feelings and emotions in a developmentally appropriate way as they pretend or recite play throughout the day. In the dramatic play center students gain the skills they can apply to real life situations. Social skills are one of the many skills that students develop in our dramatic play center as they learn how to take turns, have an opportunity to exercise manners, and learn how to communicate and interact effectively with one another. The social skills that children gain through dramatic play they can then apply to the real world — the classroom, the home, in public settings and later, in the work world. In our dramatic play center students are able to creatively think and exercise imagination. Each month our dramatic play center is changed out and is developed by staff based on current goals and theme for each month.

Math

Math in preschool is all about development! We work with students to begin to understand the concept of numbers. Counting, sorting, recognizing numbers and exploring spatial concepts are part of our daily math instruction. In the classroom we have hands-on and small group activities that involve a variety of number concepts. We introduce students to the concepts of patterning, fractions, numerals, counting, measurements, spacial sense, classifying and sets, comparing, ordering, graphing, addition and subtraction as well as observations. Each of these skills are developed in our classrooms and we build upon the child’s understanding throughout the school year.

Science

Preschoolers are naturally curious. The number one question that teachers and parents hear from our students is “why” – because they want to know! In our science program we encourage students to figure out the answer to “why” or “how” through hands on experiences. Preschool science is more about developing a way of thinking and exploring than it is gaining a body of knowledge on a specific topic. We use our senses and several hand-on activities to discover the world around us.

Social Studies

An important element of classroom life is helping each child to develop a healthy sense of self and positive self-esteem. We work on social skills, self-regulating emotions and behaviors, and effective communication with others. The children learn also about themselves, their friends, families, our country and holidays. Daily we practice self control skills. Students are made aware of their behaviors and actions and the positive or negative consequences to the behaviors.

Art

Messiah Preschool believes that students are creative individuals. We believe in process over product! Students are given the opportunity to create their own works of art. Throughout the year art skills and tools are taught. All students work on developing the skill necessary for scissors, glue, paint, etc. We work on art projects that enhance their fine motor control and let them express their creativity. Art is a time for the students to create, at Messiah Preschool we are all about the process and not the product! Kids and adults are typically messy following art!

Physical Education

We work with the children on large and small motor development through physical education, playing games outside, running, jumping, throwing, catching, walking, hopping, galloping, marching and balancing. Whenever it is possible we play outside for our large motor time. During this time we typically allow for free play. On days in which it is not possible for us to be outside on the playground, our staff work to develop curriculum for indoor large motor development. This could include dancing, following directions, use of parachutes, balls, or other large motor equipment.

Fine Motor Skills

Our students develop fine motor skills by stringing beads and buttons, working with play dough, constructing with manipulatives, drawing, painting and cutting.

Music

In addition to singing songs of praise during JAM (Jesus and Me) time, we give the Eagle’s many opportunities to sing, play, listen and move to music.

Program Times

9:00-11:30 a.m. Core Session – Monday thru Friday

11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Extended Session – Monday thru Friday

***Extended care is available on Monday thru Friday for both before and after school.

Please call 763.784.1786 for more information on our Preschool program or to plan a visit.