We believe West Side Preschool’s play-based curriculum, customized to the developmental needs of children, offers the most successful learning environment for children. Children are active learners, and we provide an active environment for children to learn!
A child’s view of activity-based learning:
What I Learn at the Sand Table
- I learn about weight and volume.
- I learn to pour, dig, and measure.
- I develop social skills.
- I learn through imaginative play.
- I develop hand-eye coordination.
What I Learn at the Block Center
- I learn the concept of placement.
- I learn the concepts of location.
- I learn how to create things.
- I exercise my imagination.
- I learn how to solve problems.
- I learn how to cooperate.
- I learn how to sort and organize.
What I Learn at the Play Dough Table
- I learn I can create.
- I use small and large muscles.
- I let out aggression and frustration.
- I learn about textures.
- I develop my vocabulary.
What I learn in Social Studies and Science
- I learn that I am like other people.
- I learn that I am also different from others and special.
- I learn how to communicate.
- I learn that everything changes.
- I learn to follow important rules.
- I learn about water and land.
- I learn how to compare.
- I learn how to follow directions.
What I Learn in Language Arts
When I read picture books, and am read to…
- I learn that books contain meaningful symbols.
- I learn about characters.
- I learn about beginning, end, and sequence.
- I create my own stories.
- I learn how to listen to a story in a group.
- I learn about the letters in my name.
What I Learn in Dramatic Play
- I learn to express myself in words.
- I try different child/adult roles.
- I learn how to negotiate.
- I learn how to sort and organize.
- I learn how to make decisions.
- I learn how to use language.
- I learn how to be creative and imaginative.
- I learn how to use symbols.
What I Learn in Music
- My sense of rhythm develops.
- I learn how to sing.
- I learn about musical patterns.
- I create simple melodies.
- I learn where sound comes from.
- I distinguish high and low sounds.
- I distinguish loud and soft sounds.
- I learn how to imitate sounds.
What I Learn in Mathematics
- I learn to count.
- I learn to sort and organize.
- I learn to compare and contrast.
- I learn to follow directions.
- I learn to follow rules.
- I learn how to solve problems.
- I learn about weight and volume.
- I learn to measure things.
Further reading and other resources:
Messy Play-Yay – An article by Tanja McIlroy on empoweredparents.co. She discusses what messy play is and why it’s crucial for a child’s development. She also lists 10 ideas for messy play.
5 Proven Benefits of Play – An NPR article from 2018 that discusses a paper suggesting pediatricians “prescribe” play for their patients.
10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play – Laurel Bongiorno, PhD, early childhood education, on why play is beneficial for children.
Kinder Readiness – A list of websites with guidelines and developmental milestones to help you make sure your child is ready for Kindergarten.
CDC Milestones – Developmental milestones for children aged 2 months through 5 years.
Emotional Regulation – This PBS Kids article from 2019 discusses teaching children how to express challenging emotions.
No worksheets! Here’s why. – In this 2018 post on learningprofessor.com Dr. Jenni Jacobs discusses why using worksheets to teach in preschool can be problematic.
WEST SIDE PRESCHOOL 