Early Childhood Preschool Curriculum

 

The Early Childhood Education Program engages preschool children in learning and play, allowing for the growth and development of the whole child. Teachers are exceptionally qualified, all of whom have or are working toward  degrees in early childhood education. Early Childhood teachers receive support from classroom aides, coaches, and other adults to provide targeted small group instruction to meet the needs of all students. The warm, caring, and curriculum-based program prepares children for the academic rigor to follow. With the guidance of their teachers, students will develop a natural curiosity and love of learning.

 

The Early Childhood Preschool program is a full day program serving children who are age two years and nine months through age four. 

  • 2.9 Program: Age 2.9 by December 1
  • K0 Program: Age 3 by September 1
  • K1 program: Age 4 by September 1
 
Early Literacy

 

K0 and K1 utilize Pearson’s Opening the World of Learning, a comprehensive curriculum that covers all domains of early learning. The content of each unit is built around a carefully crafted daily routine within an activity-center day. Themes, skills, and concepts are developed through quality children’s fiction and nonfiction trade books. There are six themes taught during the school year, Family, Friends, Wind and Water, The World of Color, Shadows and Reflections, and Things that Grow.

 

Early Mathematics

 

The Real Math Building Blocks program is designed to build young children’s experiences with activities that integrate five mathematical proficiencies outlined by research:

 

Understanding - comprehending math concepts, operations and relations – knowing what math symbols, diagrams, and procedures mean

Computing - carrying out math procedures, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately

Applying - being able to formulate problems mathematically and devise strategies for solving them using concepts and procedures appropriately

Reasoning - using logic to explain and justify a solution to a problem or to extend from something known to something not yet known

Engaging - seeing math as sensible and useful

 

Religion

 

As children grow socially and intellectually within a comprehensive and integrated curriculum, they are introduced to the elements of Catholic education exploring biblical themes while learning that they have a responsibility for others.

Through a collaborative approach among the school, the parish, and the Archdiocese, we are able to begin building the spiritual formation of the students. Students attend monthly masses in the parish church and two special masses are offered to our families during the year. One is an opening liturgy in September and the other celebrates Catholic Schools Week in late January/ early February.

 

Social and Emotional Learning

 

Early childhood preschool classrooms at Saint Columbkille are places for students to develop the foundational knowledge and skills for success in academic and real life settings. Small class sizes and support from assistants allow teachers to know each child in their classroom, to understand and appropriately respond to their academic and social needs, and to communicate regularly with families about their child's progress.

 

Saint Columbkille is an independent, Catholic preschool and private school centrally located in Brighton, MA and easily accessible from the nearby areas of Newton, Dedham, Cambridge, Hyde Park, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Sommerville, Roslindale and Allston.