Preschool

 The preschool years are characterized by  interdependence and mastery. After establishing a separate identity,  preschoolers begin to gain control over their environment and struggle  to learn new tasks. They become more aware of their abilities, such as  speaking, reasoning, dressing, feeding and using the toilet. With  teachers' guidance and through the use of interactive, hands-on  'centers' children begin to learn independence, problem solving, how to  take turns, sharing, making friends and playing cooperatively.   Our  preschool curriculum is designed to encourage the children’s cognitive,  physical, social and emotional development, all in a creative,  fundamental way. In the writing and reading centers, recognition of  shapes, letters, numbers and counting, as well as basic math, is  learned. The Patch’s writing center helps the children to become  enthusiastic and self-improving writers and readers. Outdoor play, music  and movement, blocks and exercise are all developed to promote gross  motor movement. The use of table toys, manipulative toys, games puzzles,  beading and art are all designed to focus on fine motor skills, as well  as reinforcing cognitive development. Social and emotional development  are crucial in a preschooler’s development, and our dramatic play,  circle time and block areas all promote interaction between the  children. Problem solving skills are also refined and developed with  teacher participation. Our goal is to provide a foundation for an easy  transition to kindergarten; we strive to make sure that each child will  have all the basic skills to achieve success.