Our preschool curriculum focuses on the growth of the whole child. We consider it a map that our children will use to travel throughout their early years. As they grow and develop, our Reggio Emilia
teacher guides will observe and encourage children in all areas of development: physical, social- emotional, and cognitive. Our language, numeracy, arts, science and social studies, and Jewish studies are interwoven throughout to foster an environment of growth and possibility.
Fine Arts Curriculum
The cornerstone of our school is our arts program. Children derive much joy and pleasure by being involved in arts. Blended effectively into our daily routine, children are exposed to an array of art media, including acrylic, watercolor, and finger painting, crayons, chalks, markers, and pastels. Children also work with clay, and other sensory media, as well as natural materials brought in from nature. Through exploration, children gain a familiarity with various artistic movements, periods, and artists throughout the year. Much of the children’s work is exploratory and open-ended, focusing on the process, rather than the end product. Classroom art is displayed for all to see.
In addition, children are exposed to various forms of music theory daily. Whether they’re listening to classical or world music, playing the glockenspiel, or drumming on our floor drum, the children are introduced to different rhythms, scales, and musical ideas daily. They express themselves through dance, singing, finger play, and well as movement activities.
Nature Curriculum
With technological progress, our society spends considerably less time outdoors. Our nature curriculum brings the awe and wonder of the outdoors right to our children. Children make meaning of the world around them through nature exploration. We believe in maintaining an outdoor classroom. Nature walks teach our children about the local flora and fauna. In the fall, our children monitor the changing colors of the leaves. In winter, study the weather patterns, and their effects on the seasonal landscape. In spring, our children watch caterpillars turn into butterflies and catch and release tadpoles. Our children spend a minimum of 30 minutes outdoors for our morning program, and 60 minutes outdoors for our extended day program. This nature immersion plants the seeds to grow tomorrow’s conservationists.
Organic Garden
The observation of how nature nurtures us is year-round at Preschool of the Arts. Enmeshed in our nature curriculum, our organic gardens provide an extension of natural learning. We compost our food and reuse our water to support and nourish our gardens, which in turn nourish us and provide healthy, organic snacks. Our organic gardens provide an abundance of hands-on experience, from digging in the dirt, to pulling weeds, to harvesting fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Judaic Curriculum
Woven throughout our daily routines and various disciplines, our children learn the traditions, customs, and moral values of Judaism, becoming both a meaningful and treasured part of each child’s personal milieu.
Our children excitedly anticipate holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, Purim, and Passover, and understand how to meaningfully and joyfully participate in each holiday. We encourage parent interaction in holiday celebrations. We carefully select teachers who model and nurture the Jewish values of kindness, friendship, empathy, and respect for the environment.
Our preschool curriculum focuses on the growth of the whole child. We consider it a map that our children will use to travel throughout their early years. As they grow and develop, our Reggio Emilia teacher guides will observe and encourage children in all areas of development: physical, social- emotional, and cognitive. Our language, numeracy, arts, science and social studies, and Jewish studies are interwoven throughout to foster an environment of growth and possibility.
Fine Arts Curriculum
The cornerstone of our school is our arts program. Children derive much joy and pleasure by being involved in arts. Blended effectively into our daily routine, children are exposed to an array of art media, including acrylic, watercolor, and finger painting, crayons, chalks, markers, and pastels. Children also work with clay, and other sensory media, as well as natural materials, brought in from nature. Through exploration, children gain a familiarity with various artistic movements, periods, and artists throughout the year. Much of the children’s work is exploratory and open-ended, focusing on the process, rather than the end product. Classroom art is displayed for all to see.
In addition, children are exposed to various forms of music theory daily. Whether they’re listening to classical or world music, playing the glockenspiel, or drumming on our floor drum, the children are introduced to different rhythms, scales, and musical ideas daily. They express themselves through dance, singing, finger play, and well as movement activities.
Nature Curriculum
With technological progress, our society spends considerably less time outdoors. Our nature curriculum brings the awe and wonder of the outdoors right to our children. Children make meaning of the world around them through nature exploration. We believe in maintaining an outdoor classroom. Nature walks teach our children about the local flora and fauna. In the fall, our children monitor the changing colors of the leaves. In winter, study the weather patterns, and their effects on the seasonal landscape. In spring, our children watch caterpillars turn into butterflies and catch and release tadpoles. Our children spend a minimum of 30 minutes outdoors for our morning program, and 60 minutes outdoors for our extended day program. This nature immersion plants the seeds to grow tomorrow’s conservationists.
Organic Garden
The observation of how nature nurtures us is year-round at Preschool of the Arts. Enmeshed in our nature curriculum, our organic gardens provide an extension of natural learning. We compost our food, and reuse our water to support and nourish our gardens, which in turn nourish us and provide healthy, organic snacks. Our organic gardens provide an abundance of hands-on experience, from digging in the dirt, to pulling weeds, to harvesting fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Judaic Curriculum
Woven throughout our daily routines and various disciplines, our children learn the traditions, customs, and moral values of Judaism, becoming both a meaningful and treasured part of each child’s personal milieu.
Our children excitedly anticipate holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, Purim, and Passover, and understand how to meaningfully and joyfully participate in each holiday. We encourage parent interaction in holiday celebrations. We carefully select teachers who model and nurture the Jewish values of kindness, friendship, empathy, and respect for the environment
At the Preschool of the Arts, our practice of the Reggio Approach is based on these principles:
- A child is capable and competent.
- The teacher is present and in tune with the classroom.
- Freedom happens within structure.
- Learning is visible.
- The environment is the third teacher.
- Connecting with nature is a daily practice.
- Art is an essential learning tool.
- Joy fosters learning.
- Self-worth is the foundation of learning.
At the Preschool of the Arts, our practice of the Reggio Approach is based on these principles:
- A child is capable and competent.
- The teacher is present and in tune with the classroom.
- Freedom happens within structure.
- Learning is visible.
- The environment is the third teacher.
- Connecting with nature is a daily practice.
- Art is an essential learning tool.
- Joy fosters learning.
- Self-worth is the foundation of learning.
PRESCHOOL OF THE ARTS
477 Mathis Ferry Road • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843-884-2323