At Preschool of the Arts, preschool activities are structured within a choice board concept. Several activities are chosen and posted for children to independently select the activity card and identify his or her selection. The choice board goals are to give each child the opportunity to select activities independently, guide their social development, and allow the teaching staff to gather information in skills, interest, and group dynamics.
Through inquiry-based studies, our strong emphasis on the fine arts fosters early literacy, math, science, and social studies. Artist studies, visiting artists, and artistic expression are intrinsic aspects of our classroom environment. Intertwined in our arts program, we are strongly nature- based, introducing the children to the outside world, and valuing its place in our school environment. Through this, we seek to foster a love and respect for the world in which the child lives. Through our children’s garden, children explore the process of growing, cultivating, and nourishing themselves with organic foods, and beautiful plants and flowers.
The cultural experiences of the individual child must be incorporated into the teaching tools for each child. Good materials should capture interest and curiosity and should challenge the learner. Children process knowledge by using their whole self to gather information. Because children absorb what their bodies are experiencing, the more involved the experience, the greater the potential for learning.
Preschool Activities Units of Study
We use both an emergent and thematic curriculum. Our emergent curriculum expands upon and responds to the interests of the children in our classrooms. These come up organically through conversations and can lead to months-long in-depth studies of particular points of interest. Our thematic units explore holidays, seasons, and traditional topics.
At Preschool of the Arts, preschool activities are structured within a choice board concept. Several activities are chosen and posted for children to independently select the activity card and identify his or her selection. The choice board goals are to give each child the opportunity to select activities independently, guide their social development, and allow the teaching staff to gather information in skills, interest, and group dynamics.
Through inquiry-based studies, our strong emphasis on the fine arts fosters early literacy, math, science, and social studies. Artist studies, visiting artists, and artistic expression are intrinsic aspects of our classroom environment. Intertwined in our arts program, we are strongly nature- based, introducing the children to the outside world, and valuing its place in our school environment. Through this, we seek to foster a love and respect for the world in which the child lives. Through our children’s garden, children explore the process of growing, cultivating, and nourishing themselves with organic foods, and beautiful plants and flowers.
The cultural experiences of the individual child must be incorporated into the teaching tools for each child. Good materials should capture interest and curiosity and should challenge the learner. Children process knowledge by using their whole self to gather information. Because children absorb what their bodies are experiencing, the more involved the experience, the greater the potential for learning.
Preschool Activities Units of Study
We use both an emergent and thematic curriculum. Our emergent curriculum expands upon and responds to the interests of the children in our classrooms. These come up organically through conversations and can lead to months-long in-depth studies of particular points of interest. Our thematic units explore holidays, seasons, and traditional topics.
Sample Daily Schedule
Basis for Our Core Academic Schedule 9:00 – 3:00
Sample Daily Schedule
Basis for Our Core Academic Schedule 9:00 – 3:00
| 9:00 – 9:45 | Children select from a variety of activity areas including: art provocations, science provocations, math provocations, sand, water, or light play, dramatic play, or project work. |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Morning Meeting - Large group activity that formally begins the day with introductory songs, calendar, weather, news, sharing, and discussion of project work. |
| 10:00 – 10:25 | Morning Snack- Children are served organic fresh or dried fruits, vegetables, cheeses, crackers, and other healthy treats. Water is served as well. |
| 10:25 – 10:45 | Story and Singing Time- Large group story time, followed by songs, music appreciation, movement, dance, poems, finger play, and music theory. |
| 10:45 – 11:10 | Art Studies- Large group art using a variety of materials to study individual artists, artistic movements, color theory, and technique. We focus as much on the process as the outcome. |
| 11:10 – 12:00 | Outdoors Classroom- Outdoors play on playground and children’s garden with a wide variety of age-appropriate equipment, games, and materials. |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Preparations- Transitions for morning program students to prepare to leave for the day. Those who attend Extended Day will prepare for lunchtime. |
| 12:15 – 12:40 | Lunch- Children bring their own healthy lunch. Water is served. |
| 12:40 – 1:25 | Rest Time- Children rest quietly on mats. Alternative activity for children not napping. |
| 1:25 – 1:45 | Choice Board- Children select from a variety of activity areas including: art provocations, science provocations, math provocations, sand, water, or light play, dramatic play, or project work. |
| 1:45 – 2:15 | Outdoors Classroom- Outdoors play on playground and children’s garden with a wide variety of age-appropriate equipment, games, and materials. |
| 2:15 – 2:30 | Afternoon Snack- Organic and healthy snacks provided for children. Water is served. |
| 2:30 – 2:45 | Story Time- Large group story time using flannel board, story telling, and a wide variety of books children choose |
| 2:45 – 3:00 | Afternoon Provocations- Group and individual games, provocations, and activities while waiting for pick-up. |
Note:
- Schedules are subject to change for guest visitors, events, celebrations, and child-led interests.
- Children who attend our Morning program receive at least 30 minutes of outside physical activity each day.
- Children who attend our Extended Day program receive at least 60 minutes of outside physical activity each day.
| 9:00 – 9:45 | Children select from a variety of activity areas including: art provocations, science provocations, math provocations, sand, water, or light play, dramatic play, or project work. |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Morning Meeting - Large group activity that formally begins the day with introductory songs, calendar, weather, news, sharing, and discussion of project work. |
| 10:00 – 10:25 | Morning Snack- Children are served organic fresh or dried fruits, vegetables, cheeses, crackers, and other healthy treats. Water is served as well. |
| 10:25 – 10:45 | Story and Singing Time- Large group story time, followed by songs, music appreciation, movement, dance, poems, finger play, and music theory. |
| 10:45 – 11:10 | Art Studies- Large group art using a variety of materials to study individual artists, artistic movements, color theory, and technique. We focus as much on the process as the outcome. |
| 11:10 – 12:00 | Outdoors Classroom- Outdoors play on playground and children’s garden with a wide variety of age-appropriate equipment, games, and materials. |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Preparations- Transitions for morning program students to prepare to leave for the day. Those who attend Extended Day will prepare for lunchtime. |
| 12:15 – 12:40 | Lunch- Children bring their own healthy lunch. Water is served. |
| 12:40 – 1:25 | Rest Time- Children rest quietly on mats. Alternative activity for children not napping. |
| 1:25 – 1:45 | Choice Board- Children select from a variety of activity areas including: art provocations, science provocations, math provocations, sand, water, or light play, dramatic play, or project work. |
| 1:45 – 2:15 | Outdoors Classroom- Outdoors play on playground and children’s garden with a wide variety of age-appropriate equipment, games, and materials. |
| 2:15 – 2:30 | Afternoon Snack- Organic and healthy snacks provided for children. Water is served. |
| 2:30 – 2:45 | Story Time- Large group story time using flannel board, story telling, and a wide variety of books children choose |
| 2:45 – 3:00 | Afternoon Provocations- Group and individual games, provocations, and activities while waiting for pick-up. |
Note:
- Schedules are subject to change for guest visitors, events, celebrations, and child-led interests.
- Children who attend our Morning program receive at least 30 minutes of outside physical activity each day.
- Children who attend our Extended Day program receive at least 60 minutes of outside physical activity each day.
Our parents are a diverse, unique, and interesting group of people.
We welcome parent involvement throughout the school year. Children, teachers, and parents all benefit when working in concert with one another. The consistency provided in maintaining a purposeful community is of utmost importance to us. A carefully nurtured relationship between teachers and parents benefits the children tremendously.
Our parents are a diverse, unique, and interesting group of people.
We welcome parent involvement throughout the school year. Children, teachers, and parents all benefit when working in concert with one another. The consistency provided in maintaining a purposeful community is of utmost importance to us. A carefully nurtured relationship between teachers and parents benefits the children tremendously.
PRESCHOOL OF THE ARTS
477 Mathis Ferry Road • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843-884-2323