• The Classroom

     
    The Puppy Room is part of our pre-k/Childcare combo program, the classroom consists of children from 4-4 ½ years old. The Puppy Room is viewed as an academic experience, coupled with the nurturing aspects of a preschool program to prepare students for the challenges they will encounter as future kindergarten students.

    Our Pre-K programs teach to a play-based approach to learning, while also working closely with the schools to get your child ready for kindergarten! These classrooms use the Livingston Great Start Collaborative Kindergarten Readiness Indicators as guidelines to help your child prepare for their next step in school.
     
     
    Domains and Indicators
     
    Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
    Developing age appropriate fine motor skills (ex. developing the ability to work with pencils, scissors)
     
    Growing in hand-eye coordination in building with blocks, putting together puzzles, reproducing shapes and patterns, stringing beads, and using scissors.
     
    Demonstrating a growing independence in self-care when eating, dressing, washing hands, and toileting. (ex. Is able to put on a coat and zip it)
     
    Social and Emotional Development
    Often or very often exhibits positive social behaviors when interacting with others.
     
    Developing ability to self-regulate and manage strong feelings.
     
    Is able to follow simple rules and routines and manage transitions.
     
    Displaying a growing awareness of where his/her body is in relation to his/her and the consequences of his/her movements and actions.
     
    Approaches to Learning
    Approaching tasks with initiative and curiosity (or is willing and eager to try new things)
     
    Displaying a growing capacity to maintain concentration and attention.
     
    Developing ability to transition from one task to another.
     
    Developing an ability to follow directions for individual, small, and large group activities.
     
    Speaking and Communicating (Language Development)
    Showing progress in expressing feelings, needs, and opinions in a range of situations; including conflicts with others.
     
    Using expanded vocabulary and language for a variety of purposes.
     
    Progressing in abilities to initiate and respond appropriately in conversations and discussions with peers and adults.
     
     
    Cognitive and General Knowledge
    Beginning to understand the relationship between numbers, letters, sounds, and words.
     
    Experimenting with a variety of writing tools and materials; such as crayons, pencils, and computers.
     
    Developing a growing understanding of the different functions of forms of print; such as nooks, signs, letters, newspapers, lists, messages, and menus.
     
    Developed by the Kindergarten Readiness Ad Hoc Committee (Great Start Collaborative – Livingston) August, 2009.