The Little Big school curriculum has been developed and refined over the last 40 years to reflect the nation’s best practices, and we are very proud of it! It is a developmental curriculum designed to challenge and grow an inherent love of learning in each individual child.
The three, four, and five year old curricula include the same basic elements; however, beyond that they individually represent the unique learning goals for their age group. The programs are complementary and bridge the child from each previous year without unnecessary repetition. You will find each ten month period to be very progressive. The objective is to introduce concepts/themes which are developmentally appropriate to your child’s developmental needs. The entire curriculum is introduced in a manner which allows your child to experience a hands-on approach of learning through play and structured activities. Carefully woven play and learning always results in the child’s reinforced need to learn more and more.
Creative Art
Creative art is integrated into every daily concept using various techniques. Some art projects will simply introduce a new art medium, while other art projects will be used to emphasize a corresponding concept or theme. At Little Big school we believe it is the process that is important, not the product! Although, there is no doubt that you will display the product for years to come.
Science
Our science program introduces your child to the many mysteries and wonders of nature. For example, during our exploration of astronomy, simple songs such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” will help us remember our new discoveries. Evidence indicates how early childhood learning is increased when the learning is linked to song; so at the Little Big School, we sing a LOT! Planting seeds, examining bugs under a magnifying glass, hatching ladybugs, visiting with a lizard or simply counting the legs of a spider are just some of the perfect examples of the exciting learning and subsequent discoveries yet to come for your child.
Numerical Concepts
Our teachers believe learning to write numerical symbols plays a very small part in a child’s true understanding the magical world of math. More importantly is when children discover how numbers are used in their lives. Children quickly discover their amazing world is full of exciting numbers: one nose, two feet, three friends and four flowers in a flower bed become new and wondrous discoveries.
We look forward to counting Goldilocks’ three bears and gluing five chocolate chips on a cookie marked with the number five! Each experience gives the child a concrete understanding of what a number is and how it may be used. These valuable lessons are the building blocks for future learning.
Reading Readiness
Reading readiness concepts will be introduced through stories, songs, and enriched learning activities which will then assist the child with letter recognition and beginning phonics. Perceptual matching, auditory discrimination, verbalization, dramatic play and creative art are all part of our reading readiness program. The teaching techniques used in the ”Handwriting Without Tears” preschool program will be used to help develop printing skills.
Social Studies
The concept and theme for our four and five year old Social Studies program is “the first step to friendship in any country is learning to say hello.” Each month we will be exploring a new country and its people via our imaginations. While in Japan you may find us sitting on the floor experiencing the difficulties of noodles and chopsticks. While in Mexico a bullfight or the creation of a Serape seem appropriate. With the three year old children, we introduce a local concept of Social Studies. Children learn the importance of acceptance of the people they are exposed to daily. This seemingly complicated concept is easily developed through the marvels of sharing and playing with their new and different friends. In all classes, we concentrate on discovering our similarities and our differences, and why it is important we learn to be respectful and appreciative of both.
Music
Our music curriculum includes movement, rhythm and music appreciation. We discover the art of making home-made instruments with just about anything we can get our hands on. We learn to paint storms and experience the crashing sounds of Beethoven, and then begin to wonder why our minds feel so relaxed as we listen to the gentle music of the ocean! Indeed, we incorporate music into every aspect of our curriculum.
Field Trips
There are several field trips planned for each program during the school year. Parents will be notified in advance concerning schedules, and whether any fee is required. The Little Big School relies on a small number of volunteering parents for transportation of each class. The teacher in each class will arrange drivers’ schedules. Any parent who is able to drive must present proof current car insurance, and a working seat belt for each passenger. All arrangements for transportation are presented to our families prior to the activity.
Special Activities
Many special activities are planned throughout the year.
Clowns, our own circus, hayrides, a westerm round-up, visiting school bands, cooking delicious recipes, school skits where the children play the role of Goldilocks or one of the famous bears, are just a small representation of what is to come in each ten-month program.
The Little Big School has special visitors throughout the year, who come to reinforce a concept we are exploring. In December, the grand finale is magical visit from Santa. Other visitors may include musicians, doctors, dentists, nurses, firefighters, policeofficers, pilots, mechanics, artists, and best of all —our MOMS and DADS!
Parents, please let the teacher know if you have a talent or profession you would like to share!
Discipline
We believe self-discipline is important in the learning environment, particularly because it fosters the development of responsibility for one’s actions. Our method of discipline is what we call “positive discipline”. We couple the admonishment with a compliment on the corrected behavior. On the rare occasion when we find a “time out” necessary, the designated time in the time-out chair is three minutes for three-year-old children, and four minutes for four and five-year-old children.
Snack Program
Our snack program is designed to allow our parents more involvement in their child’s preschool activities. Each month a calendar is displayed for the parents to choose a day they would like to bring in a special nutritional snack for their child’s class. The child then becomes the snack helper for the day and you become the hero! This is a voluntary program.