Preschool Program: 33 Months-5 Years

We have two preschool classrooms that we separate by age. The first class is for 33 months to 3 years and 11 month olds. The second class is for 4 to 5 year olds. Each class has a teacher to child ratio of 1:8. The goal of each classroom is to prepare your child for Kindergarten. Our teachers work in conjunction with the local Kindergarten teachers to create a similar curriculum that will align closely with the philosophies of the area schools. We set up our classroom with the "word" wall, morning greetings and other similarities as the "Kindergarten" classrooms. We want your child to learn in the same surroundings as their future kindergarten classroom. This has shown us over the years, easing of the transition from preschool to kindergarten.

Here at World Around Us we use Creative Curriculum. It includes early literacy and pre-writing skills, letters, number, shapes, colors, days of the week, months of the year and much more. It also includes an assessment component that allows the teachers to monitor your child’s growth and his/her strengths and weaknesses. This enables the teachers to be able to create curriculum that is more tailored to your child's needs.

The parents of World Around Us can also go to www.creativecurriculum.net to monitor their child's progress and take part in the assessment process. This allows you to become a key player in your child’s education. In addition, don’t forget that you can also view your child's classroom though the World Around Us Web Camera system.

Preschool Program
Our Preschool Teachers have a Bachelor's degree. Our curriculum is kindergarten readiness approved through the Minnesota Head Start Program and NAEYC. It does include spanish, sign language, music therapy and computer classes. Please stop by to observe, take a tour, and/or meet our wonderful teachers and children.

1. To develop a positive self-concept; to value one's self as an unique individual; to attain competency in dealing with emotions; to become increasingly self-reliant:

learning to use words, rather than hitting
learning to use conversation, rather than demands
learning to use words to express how one feels
learning sign language, bridge the communication gap between child and adult. Less frustration and more positive understanding for the child and adult.

2. To develop satisfying social skills by:

playing and taking turns sitting as a "class family" to share a snack
learning to trust adults other than parents
providing opportunities for the child to make choices
taking field trips to see the world which is around us.

3. To grow in effectiveness in communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal:

listening to stories
being listened to
contributing to discussions
having interesting experiences which stimulate discussion and the desire to express, to read, or be read to
learning to speak Spanish - The Spanish language has become America's second language in all sectors of our environment. Learning Spanish will enable diversity and excellent communication skills.
learning the American Sign Language.

4. To grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the aesthetic world. To use creative arts as a means to self-expression and forming thoughts:

using a variety of artistic media (clay, paint, paper, etc.)
participating in music activities
participating in puppetry and dramatic play

5. To experience math and beginning number concepts:

counting friends at the snack table
seeing relationships of a part to a whole
working with puzzles and shapes