Preschool Daily Schedule
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8:30am-Drop off Outside
9:15am-Inside/Coats off 9:25am-Circle Time 9:45am-wash hands for snack 9:50am-Organic Snack 10:10am-Center Time 11:05am-Music Time/Art Time (kids split into 2 groups and then swap) 11:25am-Art Time/Music Time (if they had Music they go to Art next) 11:45am-wash hands for lunch 11:50pm-Lunch 12:15pm-clean up and meet parents outside |
The photos on the Home Page slideshow are mostly from the Preschool class too.
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Outside Time-Free Time to explore the: playhouse, sandbox, water table, swings, slide, jungle gym, and zip line. Time for running, chasing, climbing on stumps, playing with balls, and the daily excitement that nature provides (leaves, dirt, snow, ice, flowers). We go outside throughout the winter, with a cut off of staying inside if it is below 16 degrees with the windchill. Please praise your child for getting dirty (i.e. "You look like you had fun today!") so they do not limit their play by being stressed about their clothes.
Gardening in the front yard (planting, weeding, plant identification, observing changes,
harvesting, bug discoveries, and playing in the garden).
Friday Walk Day-Each Friday the Preschool class goes for a group walk instead of
outside play time around the neighborhood.
~When it is too cold to go outside we have Free Play inside and sometimes we do Cooking Projects.
Circle Time-Creating the feeling that the kids are part of a warm community is central in their experience at Discovery Cottage. Circle Time is one of the main ways that we gather, look at each other, listen to each other, and learn as a group. Each day we do about 3 different activities in our 20-25mins. time period. Some of these are: Show & Tell, Fingerplay songs, reading a story and group discussion about how it relates to kids lives (kids practice retelling, naming letters in titles, acting out books), Sign Language songs, Rhyming Games, Spanish Puppet Jose teaches Spanish, ABC Box, Baby Monkey, introducing new games, Creating Group Stories, Planning Meetings for special activities, and Parent/Grandparent Special Guests and so much more.
Organic Snack-Each day an organic fruit, vegetable, grain and milk is served. Almond milk is an option. All produce is fresh, except for occasional frozen peas and corn. No canned produce is served.
Kids are encouraged to be part of the "2 bite club" to try new foods. Surprisingly, many kids find new foods they like this way. This is a nice time for social interaction and lots of silly jokes around the table. Children practice self-help skills by clearing their plates and using regular cups (not sippy cups). Kids are split into 2 tables, they always get to choose where they want to sit. As kids are finished they can get up and go play, while others can linger longer at the table.
We serve grains (crackers etc) with whole grains as their main ingredients oppose to white flour. The grain that we serve is 95% organic, there are a few cracker items that we choose to serve that are not organic. The reason we choose those products is because the first ingredient is a whole grain which we prefer over a first ingredient of white flour in many "organic" products. We serve these products so the kids have some variety.
Potty Time-Children who still need reminders are asked to go potty after snack. Older children are taught to listen to their bodies and go as needed independently.
Center Time-For Preschool children this is their free choice time of the day indoors.
Scroll down right after the description of "Lunch" on this page, for a full detailed list of options during Center Time.
~Children break into 2 groups and go to either Music Time or Art Time. After 20 mins. the groups switch, so each day all of the kids get art and music time. Adina and Andrew take turns teaching music and art. Kids choose which group they want to be in each day, there are no set groups, they are welcome to go with a certain friend.
Music Time-This is a Active High-Energy Time with a focus on Gross Motor skills & fun.
Musical Games-Lots of running, dancing & exercise using various instruments and
props (scarves etc.)
Group Drumming and instrument experimentation with rhythm.
Imaginative Play-actively pretending to be animals, transportation vehicles, going on
adventures.
Non-Competitive Sports-Basketball, crash bowling, ball skills, learning to cheer for
other kids.
Following Directions in Group Games-Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Light/Green Light,
Parachute etc.
Talent Show Practice-Each year we put on 2 Talent Shows for parents to come and
attend.
Acting out books and plays children have written and Yoga.
Art Time-A process-oriented approach to art. We paint, draw, stamp, do collage, use playdough etc. A strong emphasis is on the child's enjoyment, experimentation, creative expression, and learning how to use basic art supplies (i.e. glue bottle, glue sticks, scissors). Children at this age learn a lot from watching each other. As children get older in our program we offer a mixture of process-oriented art and crafting projects to learn new skills and to challenge their budding desire for more.
Lunch-Parents provide a packed lunch for their child. Teachers read stories to kids at lunch.
Gardening in the front yard (planting, weeding, plant identification, observing changes,
harvesting, bug discoveries, and playing in the garden).
Friday Walk Day-Each Friday the Preschool class goes for a group walk instead of
outside play time around the neighborhood.
~When it is too cold to go outside we have Free Play inside and sometimes we do Cooking Projects.
Circle Time-Creating the feeling that the kids are part of a warm community is central in their experience at Discovery Cottage. Circle Time is one of the main ways that we gather, look at each other, listen to each other, and learn as a group. Each day we do about 3 different activities in our 20-25mins. time period. Some of these are: Show & Tell, Fingerplay songs, reading a story and group discussion about how it relates to kids lives (kids practice retelling, naming letters in titles, acting out books), Sign Language songs, Rhyming Games, Spanish Puppet Jose teaches Spanish, ABC Box, Baby Monkey, introducing new games, Creating Group Stories, Planning Meetings for special activities, and Parent/Grandparent Special Guests and so much more.
Organic Snack-Each day an organic fruit, vegetable, grain and milk is served. Almond milk is an option. All produce is fresh, except for occasional frozen peas and corn. No canned produce is served.
Kids are encouraged to be part of the "2 bite club" to try new foods. Surprisingly, many kids find new foods they like this way. This is a nice time for social interaction and lots of silly jokes around the table. Children practice self-help skills by clearing their plates and using regular cups (not sippy cups). Kids are split into 2 tables, they always get to choose where they want to sit. As kids are finished they can get up and go play, while others can linger longer at the table.
We serve grains (crackers etc) with whole grains as their main ingredients oppose to white flour. The grain that we serve is 95% organic, there are a few cracker items that we choose to serve that are not organic. The reason we choose those products is because the first ingredient is a whole grain which we prefer over a first ingredient of white flour in many "organic" products. We serve these products so the kids have some variety.
Potty Time-Children who still need reminders are asked to go potty after snack. Older children are taught to listen to their bodies and go as needed independently.
Center Time-For Preschool children this is their free choice time of the day indoors.
Scroll down right after the description of "Lunch" on this page, for a full detailed list of options during Center Time.
~Children break into 2 groups and go to either Music Time or Art Time. After 20 mins. the groups switch, so each day all of the kids get art and music time. Adina and Andrew take turns teaching music and art. Kids choose which group they want to be in each day, there are no set groups, they are welcome to go with a certain friend.
Music Time-This is a Active High-Energy Time with a focus on Gross Motor skills & fun.
Musical Games-Lots of running, dancing & exercise using various instruments and
props (scarves etc.)
Group Drumming and instrument experimentation with rhythm.
Imaginative Play-actively pretending to be animals, transportation vehicles, going on
adventures.
Non-Competitive Sports-Basketball, crash bowling, ball skills, learning to cheer for
other kids.
Following Directions in Group Games-Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Light/Green Light,
Parachute etc.
Talent Show Practice-Each year we put on 2 Talent Shows for parents to come and
attend.
Acting out books and plays children have written and Yoga.
Art Time-A process-oriented approach to art. We paint, draw, stamp, do collage, use playdough etc. A strong emphasis is on the child's enjoyment, experimentation, creative expression, and learning how to use basic art supplies (i.e. glue bottle, glue sticks, scissors). Children at this age learn a lot from watching each other. As children get older in our program we offer a mixture of process-oriented art and crafting projects to learn new skills and to challenge their budding desire for more.
Lunch-Parents provide a packed lunch for their child. Teachers read stories to kids at lunch.
Center Time Choices
Center Time is the free choice time that Preschoolers have during indoor free play.
Each day some new activity tables or areas will be set up and some old ones will remain for further exploration. Children are free to go to whichever centers are most interesting to them and come and go as they please.
Sensory Table-Here the children enjoy the sense of touch. One big tub or individual plastic tubs are used to fill with water, dry rice, flour, noodles, ice, snow, shells, rocks, or beans. Children use cups, spoons, eyedroppers, sifters etc. to explore the materials and there is usually a lot of social chatter to go along with their play time.
Dramatic Play-Children love to imitate adult life and create their own new adventures. They gain skills in designating roles and negotiating who will play each character. We have boxes of costumes and hats which they love to put on and take off, again and again. We also have pop up cars, trains, houses and teepees for added fun.
Light Table-Children can look at real x-rays of animals and humans. they often use this for their doctor office games. Other objects like crystals, building materials, and translucent ABCs are used on the light table surface.
Nature Table-Science inquiries can be explored examining rocks, feathers, crystals, shells with magnifying glasses and book identification. These natural objects are also used as part of their dramatic play games.
Board Games-At first with a teacher and then independently, this is a time to practice taking turns, winning/loosing, sitting still in a group and concentration.
Indoor Play Structure-With a huge focus on Gross Motor skill development, children will enjoy climbing, crawling, and creating dramatic play worlds in this Amazing Creation which is unique to Discovery Cottage.
Gross Motor Play-Other large muscle activity choices are: hoola hoops, sit and spin, rocking boat, tunnels and slide.
Instruments-We have lots of drums and hand instruments to delight in alone or with friends, without having to play the "right" way. Our big Gathering Drum is a wonderful instrument that allows children to face one another and create songs and beats.
Art Table-Art Time is a scheduled activity each day but children have the option to do additional projects of their choosing or playdough.
Table Games-(different things are put out each day) Mandala creations, Balancing Scales, Magnet Area, Pom Pom games, Peg Boards, Matching Games, Beading, Lacing Cards Etc.
Writing Table-Children have individual Journals that they work on all year. This is a time for them to experiment with the emerging process of writing (scribbling, single letters, learning from friends, getting it wrong and then right). There is also an "Office" set up for kids to pretend to be at work and there are lots of writing opportunities on the desks there.
Blocks & Trucks & Animals-Skills include: building, architecture, balancing, geometry, and counting. It is also a great time for socialization and problem solving.
Kitchen & Babies-A time here for endless cooking, shopping, and restaurant orders. Time for nurturing, dressing, and feeding baby dolls.
Trains, Dollhouses, Little People Worlds and more
Center Time is the free choice time that Preschoolers have during indoor free play.
Each day some new activity tables or areas will be set up and some old ones will remain for further exploration. Children are free to go to whichever centers are most interesting to them and come and go as they please.
Sensory Table-Here the children enjoy the sense of touch. One big tub or individual plastic tubs are used to fill with water, dry rice, flour, noodles, ice, snow, shells, rocks, or beans. Children use cups, spoons, eyedroppers, sifters etc. to explore the materials and there is usually a lot of social chatter to go along with their play time.
Dramatic Play-Children love to imitate adult life and create their own new adventures. They gain skills in designating roles and negotiating who will play each character. We have boxes of costumes and hats which they love to put on and take off, again and again. We also have pop up cars, trains, houses and teepees for added fun.
Light Table-Children can look at real x-rays of animals and humans. they often use this for their doctor office games. Other objects like crystals, building materials, and translucent ABCs are used on the light table surface.
Nature Table-Science inquiries can be explored examining rocks, feathers, crystals, shells with magnifying glasses and book identification. These natural objects are also used as part of their dramatic play games.
Board Games-At first with a teacher and then independently, this is a time to practice taking turns, winning/loosing, sitting still in a group and concentration.
Indoor Play Structure-With a huge focus on Gross Motor skill development, children will enjoy climbing, crawling, and creating dramatic play worlds in this Amazing Creation which is unique to Discovery Cottage.
Gross Motor Play-Other large muscle activity choices are: hoola hoops, sit and spin, rocking boat, tunnels and slide.
Instruments-We have lots of drums and hand instruments to delight in alone or with friends, without having to play the "right" way. Our big Gathering Drum is a wonderful instrument that allows children to face one another and create songs and beats.
Art Table-Art Time is a scheduled activity each day but children have the option to do additional projects of their choosing or playdough.
Table Games-(different things are put out each day) Mandala creations, Balancing Scales, Magnet Area, Pom Pom games, Peg Boards, Matching Games, Beading, Lacing Cards Etc.
Writing Table-Children have individual Journals that they work on all year. This is a time for them to experiment with the emerging process of writing (scribbling, single letters, learning from friends, getting it wrong and then right). There is also an "Office" set up for kids to pretend to be at work and there are lots of writing opportunities on the desks there.
Blocks & Trucks & Animals-Skills include: building, architecture, balancing, geometry, and counting. It is also a great time for socialization and problem solving.
Kitchen & Babies-A time here for endless cooking, shopping, and restaurant orders. Time for nurturing, dressing, and feeding baby dolls.
Trains, Dollhouses, Little People Worlds and more