Our preschool class offered at MSAD is for 3 years old to 4 years old children. Preschool focuses on learning through play with an emphasis on whole child development through language acquisition. The daily schedule is built around exploration and building social language. The daily routine creates an environment for students to engage in self-directed play through centers. The classroom rotates through different themes, with every classroom material, activity, toys, and books selected to foster growth through the different developmental domains:
-
Cognitive growth
-
Language skills
-
Gross and fine motor movement
-
Social-emotional development
-
Self-help skills
Calendar, morning thematic centers, story time, circle activity, and an art project. During thematic centers, the teachers follow the lead of the child joining them in play to expose them to language, expand their imaginations, and encourage socialization with their peers. A full hour quiet time allows children to rest or read quietly after lunchtime from 12 pm to 1 pm. The afternoon block of time includes a second block of free time where all of the early childhood and prekindergarten students play together through the thematic centers. This is followed by separate second circle time and related activity.