Mount Olivet Preschool Curriculum
Our Theme Based Curriculum is based on the guidelines of the Minnesota Early Learning Standards: Early Childhood Indicators of Progress, which were developed by the Minnesota Department of Education. These form a set of developmentally appropriate expectations for children in the preschool age range of 3‐5. Our teachers work within these guidelines when planning their creative lessons.
In a theme based curriculum, the teachers integrate literacy, science, social studies, math, music, and art all around the topic of the week. Themes are often based on the children’s culture, environment, or shared experiences, and reflect our Christian philosophy.
The Early Childhood Indicators of Progress are divided into six domains that reflect the full range of child development as recommended by national guidelines (Kagan, Moore, and Bredekamp, 1995):
*Social and emotional Development‐
Learning to make friends, talking and playing with them
Accepting and responding to teacher’s instructions or questions
Playing and sharing cooperatively
Taking turns, with encouragement
Expressing and showing a positive self‐image
Demonstrating appropriate self‐control over feelings
*Approaches to Learning‐
Curiosity
Risk‐Taking
Imagination and Invention
Persistence
Reflection and Interpretation
*Language and Literacy Development
Interest in books (reading, listening, following left to right)
Recognition of colors
Identifying same and different
Recognizing and learning to write own name
Learning letter recognition and sound
Speaking clearly, responding to stories through actions or words
*Cognitive Development
Mathematical and Logical Thinking
Recognition of shapes and numbers
Counting objects
Puzzles, sequencing, sorting
*Scientific Thinking and Problem Solving
Simple science concepts (pouring, sifting, shaking, sorting)
Nature themed concepts (preparing for winter, solar system, etc.)
Social Systems Understanding
World cultures, transportation, families
Music and the arts‐ singing, dancing, instruments, art projects
*Physical and Motor Development
Gross Motor Development‐ running, hopping, skipping, balancing, riding a trike, throw & catch
Fine Motor Development‐
Properly holding crayons, pencils, scissors and using them
Painting with brushes, fingers and other materials
Manipulating playdoh
Using zippers, snaps, stringing beads
Physical health a
nd Well‐ Being
Self help skills‐ hand washing, flushing, wiping, using tissues
Dressing self
Nutrition and staying healthy