Curriculum

At University Oaks Preschool, we don’t just do, we know the why of what we do. Our preschool curriculum is the best of all worlds. Using elements of various preschool philosophies and disciplines, we have created activities that are both developmentally appropriate and fun. Each day’s schedule includes:

Learning Centers: These centers include specific projects for cognitive, language, creative and mathematic development. Some are projects to take home, as well as games and challenging activities using our broad span of classroom manipulatives. There is also time for dramatic play, blocks and other age appropriate toys. In addition, the art easel is out and ready for any budding Monet.

Circle Time: Social and personal growth are emphasized while cognitive, language, mathematic and motor development are also incorporated. During Circle we use wonderful children’s literature to engage each child. We believe knowing and using great children’s literature opens up a child’s mind to loving books. If a child loves books, a child can learn anything!

Foreign Language: Currently, Mrs. Moreno teaches Spanish and Mrs. Williams teaches French, but we love to expose children to many languages. The concept behind this exposure to foreign language is based on research and understanding of brain development. The language portion of the brain is the most active during the preschool years. If exposed at an early age, brain synapses are created that enable children to be adaptive to foreign languages throughout their lives. While we don’t promise fluent Spanish and French speakers will result from our program, we have observed that our former students have more readily acclimated to foreign language when it has been presented at later stages.

Science: Did you know that soap repels pepper?  Or that purple cabbage water, when combined with other elements changes color? Our preschoolers do. With the preschool mind at heart, we see science as that “ah ha!” moment. We use experiments, cooking and natural observation to turn young minds to the exciting world of “Wow, let’s do it again!”

Bible Circle: While we teach your child many exciting and wonderful things, the most important thing is this: God, knows them, loves them, and has purpose for their lives. In our Bible Circle we introduce the Bible primarily through the stories of the Old Testament as well as some from the New Testament. We teach the Bible as truth, and present it all as inspiration for understanding God’s infinite love and amazing power to change and fulfill each of us.

Outdoor Time: Children need to MOVE! Especially preschool children. Large motor comes before small motor can begin. Too many academic programs require preschool children to do pencil and paper work while mitigating jumping, climbing and cycling “work”. And it doesn’t work! We can provide you with all the research, both clinical and anecdotal if you would like, but the bottom line is this: Large motor play enables great brains to grow naturally in ways that no amount of academics can ever achieve. For more information on this vital subject, please read “Much Too Early” an article by Dr. David Elkind, author of “The Hurried Child” and “Reinventing Childhood.” (Used with permission).