Early Learning Center

  Themes for the Year:

                           

2009-2010 / Children of the Promise

 

September:    WE ARE GOD'S FAMILY

                       Skill Development:  Building Attention and Play Skills

                       Emotional Learning:  Being a Good Friend

The children learn about families and making friends.  They learn that they are special because God has designed them.  Classroom themes include body parts, the five senses and keeping healthy.  Children learn each other’s names, draw faces and practice new greeting and gathering songs.

 

October:         CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATURES

                        Skill Development: Taking turns and Sharing

                        Emotional Learning:  Playing Fair 

The children discover important features of animals with feathers, fur, scales and tails.  They study similarities and differences in animals and animal habitats, including animals of the forest and how they prepare for the winter.  Classroom fun includes “going on a bear hunt” and having a “teddy bear picnic”.

  

November:      INSIDE GOD'S GARDEN AT HARVEST TIME

                         Skill Development:  Nurturing Multiple Intelligences

                         Emotional Learning:  Resolving Conflicts

At this is a beautiful time of the year, the children learn about the gifts of autumn, Thanksgiving and sharing with others. Classroom themes include the study of apples and pumpkins. As the children collect autumn leaves, they hear stories about early Native Americans, the people who gave us the gift of corn and the first Thanksgiving. They also learn about nutrition, dental care and healthy eating habits.

  

December:       CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS

                          Skill Development:  Vocabulary Development

                          Emotional Learning:  Helping Others

As the magic of the Christmas season arrives, the children prepare for the coming of the Savior. Classroom themes introduce some traditions of Christmas like decorating trees, baking cookies and singing carols.  The primary focus is on the Nativity Story, the Great Star, the lowly beasts and God’s messengers-the angels.

  

January:          GOD’S BIG, BEAUTIFUL PLANET

                         Skill Development: Beginning Writing Skills

                         Emotional Learning:  Recognizing Feelings

The children learn about some of the most beautiful features of our world including snow and the beauty of the winter season.  Emotional learning focuses on forming positive relationships, resolving conflicts,  exercising self-control and respecting others..  The children participate in discussions about feelings and practice using magic words like please, thank you, and I’m sorry. Pre-handwriting practice is expanded.

 

February:         GOD KEEPS US SAFE WITH HIS LOVE
                          Skill Development: Phonological Awareness

                          Emotional Learning:  Working Together

Themes for February encompass love and safety.  Children study construction, building things, machines and transportation by making their own machines or three dimensional construction projects. They learn about firefighters and policeman and the things that we need to do to keep safe at home and in school. Special activities occur during Valentine’s week. 

 

March:             GOD TEACHES US
                          Skill Development:  Early Literacy - Strategies for

                                                            Reading Together

                          Emotional Learning:  Developing Patience

This month features expanded literacy units using fairy tales, Mother Goose nursery rhymes, and special stories set to music that inspire reading and storytelling.  Children begin to build natural bridges between singing, rhyming and reading.  Imaginative and creative themes of communicating through puppetry and storytelling are featured.

    

April:           GROWING WITH GOD: THE MIRACLE OF REBIRTH

                          Skill Development: Reading Readiness Skills

                          Emotional Learning:  Being Truthful

This month highlights many of God’s gifts of resurrection to us.  The children learn about the Easter Story and study the return of “springtime” with all of its gifts including sun, rain, clouds, rainbows, plants, nests, bugs, butterflies, bunnies, baby chicks and eggs.

                                 

May:                      GOD SPEAKS TO US

                          Skill Development:  Better Speech & Hearing Month:

                                                         Developing Communication Skills      

                          Emotional Learning:  Building Self Esteem:

                                                               “Believe in Yourself”

 

The children study the messages found all around us in the beauty of nature, the love of our families and the joy we find in friendship. Classroom themes include a study of seeds, plants, flowers and  a look at the abundant life in a pond.  We end our year celebrating God, families and each other.