Preschool Curriculum and Schedule

Ebenezer Farm Preschool Curriculum

Ebenezer Farm offers a preschool program that supports a healthy development of academic skills. In a warm, simple and play-based environment we introduce and enourage learning in a very natural way. Overshadowing all that we do is our intentional focus on caring communication with each child as an individual, and as part of the larger group.
The natural world is our classroom of choice. Whenever possible we arrange to carry out our goals in the ever changing life-filled outdoors.
It is our sincerest desire to work with families and lovingly provide children with a strong foundation for their school years. Abundant fresh air, exercise, nourishing foods, and recommended amounts of essential sleep will fuel their still-developing brains to function at top performance levels.

Language Arts
Basic principles of listening and speaking skills which support the development of vocabulary, including singing, proper pronunciation, rhymes, poems, listening to and comprehending stories. Exposure to letters and sounds through games, activities and discussion. Depending on interest and ability, practice in writing letters and numbers.

Mathematics
Pre-math skills actually do include physical exercise. Physical strength supports gross motor skills of balance, coordination and strength. A healthy developed body, including core, limbs and fingers are necessary for proper posture, endurance and ability to manipulate writing tools. Imaginative play with various objects provides the basis for abstract mathematical manipulation. Games that include ordering, sorting, patterning and sequencing provide opportunities to practice fundamental math skills.

Science

Observation, discussion and exploration of the world around us, guided by enthusiastic teachers as well as by the natural curiosity of the children.

Art
Personal expressions through various types of art including painting, music, cutting and pasting, drawing and crafting.

Social Skills
There is tremendous value in learning to respect each other’s needs, to work and play in a group, to practice common courtesy and politeness. Children learn to be responsible for belongings and classroom materials and to contribute to the care and orderliness of our classrooms, inside and out.

　

Schedule of a typical Preschool day

At Ebenezer Farm　

　
7:00 - 8:45 am   Welcoming of children and parents. Options for a short morning walk or inside activities such as dramatic play, art, board games, building blocks, play dough or baking.

8:40 - 9:00   Put away games, materials and toys. Transition to Circle time.

9:00 - 9:40   Circle time songs, topic discussion, story. (May be inside or out.)

9:40 - 10:15  Small group time of focused activity connected to language, math, science and/or art. (May be inside or out.)

10:15 - 10:45   Toilet, hand washing, snack and water.

10:45 - 11:15   Nature walk

11:15 - 12:15   Creative play or work along with teachers, such as building forts,  tending trails, feeding animals and birds, gardening in season.

12:15 - 1:00   Toilet and washing, lunch, prepare for rest time.

1:00 - 2:30   Quiet time with individual books followed by listening to a story and  songs. Napping or quiet reading.

2:30 - 3:15   Put away rest blankets and books. Pack up for home. Snack.

3:15 - 5:00   Outside play, exploration and helpful work until parents arrive.