Philosophy
Early Childhood Education is a journey, not a race. On this journey, children travel at a different pace according to their individual development, background of experience and needs. Education assists in the development of the total person spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Therefore, the early childhood educational experience provides opportunities for unifying all aspects of our children’s lives.
Our teachers agree that children are unique and have a tremendous potential for growth. Their God-given imaginations and contemplative minds are eager for stimulation. In a warm, caring, risk-free environment, our teachers model and manifest Catholic beliefs, values and attitudes. Our children are encouraged to develop a positive image and to respect others as they begin to live the Gospel Message.
The teachers of young children have the unique opportunity to observe the individual learning styles of each child as he/she enters the school experience. Our educators endeavor to provide a rich variety of activities and experiences to challenge and encourage the children to develop.
It is our primary concern that the early childhood environment be developmentally appropriate for children. Essential, also is a curriculum which leads to an awareness of the unconditional love of God.
Preschool Program Goals
The Early Childhood years are a gift of time which enable the young child to experience the joy of being created and uniquely gifted by a loving God. Therefore, the Preschool Program at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer provides the following:
- Growth in awareness of God’s love as experienced in family, parish and community
- Development of an awareness that he/she is a child of God and will grown in love
- Development of a positive self-image
- Development of a social-interdependence with adults and peers
- Experiences which will enable the child to communicate effectively with others
- Development of motor skills which lead to proficiency and coordination in action and movement
- Use of concrete materials and “hands-on” experiences to facilitate learning through discovery
Curriculum
Our curriculum at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Preschool is based on knowledge of child development along with assessment of individual needs and interests. The learning environment and activities for the children reflect the program’s philosophy and goals and involves the following components.
Religion: Our Religion program is a preparation time for more formal instruction in the years ahead. It develops a positive self-image of the child in relation to a loving God. A child’s sense of God comes from the warm atmosphere of love and acceptance in the early childhood environment where the child learns about God’s wonderful world. An appreciation of others, values, friends, Christian community, feasts and celebrations, developed through an awareness of Jesus, Mary, Saints, Guardian Angels, creation, and the Trinity are components of the young child’s spiritual development. Classroom prayer and Para Liturgies prepare the child to participate in the celebrations of the Church.
Personal-Social Development: This is the primary goal for the young child entering an early childhood program. The more a child understands himself/herself, the better equipped the child is to relate to other children and adults. Social development includes cooperative play, sharing, following directions, initiating conversations, and play situations with peers, entering into group activities, developing a positive relationship with teachers and caring about others.
Social-Emotional Development: This is a major focus for the young child. A positive self-concept is key to successful learning. Teachers use positive guidance techniques such as modeling expected behavior, directing children to acceptable activities and setting clear limits. Expectation respects the children’s developmental capabilities.
Language: MMR uses an innovative program from the Houghton Mifflin Company designed specifically for the Preschool child. Where Bright Futures Begin is a comprehensive integrated Preschool program that provides all children with the foundational skills they need to succeed as lifelong learners. The “hands-on, minds-on” curriculum is based on scientific research and is aligned with key critical Preschool learning goals, including those defined by Early Reading First, Head Start, NAEYC, NCTM and state frameworks. Delightful, high quality literature and child-centered themes is the core of the Preschool Curriculum. The flexible lesson structure specifically develops critical early learning skills—oral language, listening comprehension, vocabulary, phonological awareness, print awareness and alphabet knowledge—as well as teaches early mathematics skills on a daily basis.
Mathematics: The young child develops an understanding of math concepts through manipulation, examination, and practical experiences using concrete materials. Further knowledge comes from the understanding of colors, shapes, size, counting skills, classification and numeral recognition. Communication of questions, predictions and outcomes foster the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Play: Play is a child’s work. The value of free play cannot be overstated. Children are provided the opportunity to play at the beginning of the session as well as after structured learning activities.
Multi-cultural Awareness: This is a necessary aspect of positive social development. It fosters an appreciation for God’s creation by encouraging an awareness of cultural diversity. Activities, stories, holiday customs, and religious celebrations are a few multi-cultural activities which enhance the child’s awareness that people are alike in many ways, but may have different ways of expressing themselves.
Motor Skills Development
Gross Motor: Body coordination is enhanced through large muscle activities such as walking, running, jumping, and hopping. Rhythm and movement provide an outlet for creative expression.
Fine Motor: Eye-hand coordination is developed through manipulating clay, stringing beads, pasting, coloring, painting, pouring, lacing, and using scissors. Eye tracking is a fine motor activity that promotes the left-to-right progression skill required for reading readiness.
Aesthetic Development
Music: Music is one channel for creative expression. Singing, listening to music, making and
using rhythm instruments, dancing, and other rhythmic activities are ways of developing a love
of and an appreciation for music.
Art: The Art Program, offering the opportunity for creative experiences full of self-expression, includes the following: art as an individual expression of the child, art as a pre-academic skill
and art as a “craft” exercise. Manipulatives that are used to develop fine motor skills include clay, paint, paste and crayons.
Computer: Appropriate integration of computer technology is made available throughout the curriculum. The child is introduced to the use of the computer as it will become a part of his/her educational process.
Social Studies and Science: These concepts and related activities are an important part of the early childhood curriculum and are integrated throughout the program.