Beginner 4 Curriculum

The Beginner 4s curriculum is based on the developmental needs of the four- and five-year-old child. The program is designed to promote the healthy growth of each child physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

The classroom is organized to give each child an opportunity to work and play in small and whole group activities, as well as interacting individually with the teacher. The children are encouraged to become more independent in making choices about activities, building friendships, and solving problems, but at the same time are given the guidance and security to feel safe and successful. We emphasize using words, and teach the children to work cooperatively to solve problems and disputes.

Children have many social, academic, and physical experiences on a daily basis. This, in turn, builds self-confidence and self-esteem. The classroom is structured in a way that is predictable and routine so that the children have a sense of ownership and take an active role in their learning. We work with children throughout the year to build respect for others’ feelings and their environments.

The Beginner 4s language arts program gives primary emphasis to listening and verbalizing skills. The child has many opportunities to express him/herself individually and in front of the group whether communicating feelings, experiences, or ideas. In addition, listening and comprehension skills are increased through discussions, stories, tapes, games, and sharing time. The children are introduced to children's literature, information books, poems, rhymes, songs and finger plays in order to provide a rich basis in language. Books, charts, and all types of print are available and displayed in the classroom to give the children an exposure to letters.

The math program in Beginner 4s encourages hands-on exploration of manipulatives and beginning number concepts. Each morning we work on our calendar, counting days. We count children, shoes, dinosaurs, bears, and just about anything else we find. We work with a variety of materials to learn to recognize, and sort and classify shapes, colors, sizes and other attributes. Graphing, comparing, and estimating are skills that are worked on throughout the year. The children also explore patterning, measuring, and seriating with many different manipulatives and games.

The social studies curriculum in Beginner 4s revolves around learning more about ourselves, our families, and the world around us. We explore our physical selves by measuring height and weight, tracing our bodies, and finding our places in space. We discuss where we began and how we grow. We talk about how we are alike and different, encouraging sensitivity to others. Star Day and Grandparents’ Day are parts of our exploration of family. Opportunities in dramatic play, books, discussions, and field trips help us to learn about the community beyond ourselves, our Beginner 4s group, and our families. We welcome families who may wish to share cultural or ethnic traditions with us.

An attitude of exploration, questioning, and discovery is encouraged throughout the Beginner 4s science curriculum. We study the seasons as each affects us and the environment. We study our bodies, nutrition, and how we grow. We enjoy observing birds at our feeder and welcome other animal friends for visits. We will be growing bulbs and seeds. Walking the nature trail and visiting the BCD pond are wonderful activities, as they provide an abundant outdoor classroom. Cooking experiences help us learn about nutrition, measurement, and taste. Perhaps most important is the acceptance and encouragement of children's questions with appropriate follow-up. Our final goal is to nurture the curiosity of the young child within a stimulating indoor and outdoor environment.

The curriculum is a framework from which we plan. Some of our themes this year will include teddy bears, self and families, farms, dinosaurs, seasonal changes, tools and machines, holidays, and insects. We choose topics that are interesting and relevant to the children in order to build an excitement and a love of learning. Beginner 4s is a place for children to grow through play and inquiry in a warm, loving atmosphere.