CURRICULUM

The learning approach at First Presbyterian Preschool is predicated on the belief that children are curious, creative, and capable. Our program philosophy is implemented through project-focused, emergent, play-based curriculum. STEAM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) are infused in all areas of our curriculum. And the teaching methods in the classroom ensure that students acquire the skills necessary for their next school environment. The goal of our accredited program is to nurture and encourage every child’s positive self-image in an atmosphere of love and caring.

Learning through purposeful play

Drawing ideas from the Reggio Emilia approach, children spend the majority of their time at school investigating and learning about the world through many types of purposeful play: building with blocks, dressing up, painting and other artistic endeavors, experimenting with different materials, and exploring the natural world. In all these areas, emphasis is on the process rather than the product. Our calming, naturally appointed classrooms and spaces are considered the “third teacher.” Children are allowed to explore their interests and express their ideas while developing enthusiasm for learning and knowledge.

Emergent “child-led” curriculum

Emergent curriculum is an approach that permits learning activities to arise out of each child’s interests, actions, or serendipitous events. By observing children’s play, introducing questions, and listening for their interests, a developmentally appropriate and emergent curriculum unfolds. This rich and respectful learning environment considers children’s skills and needs and is informed every step of the way by teachers’ observations of the children as they engage and learn.

 

STEAM

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts (creativity), and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. These subject areas are part of our daily life, so it makes sense that children should explore these subjects in an integrated way every day through books, discussions, experiments, art projects, educational games, and more. We introduce children to new skills and concepts when they are developmentally ready, making learning fun and natural. The STEAM model values the learning process as much as the results.

Library

The First Presbyterian library is filled interesting and age-appropriate books. Our dedicated librarian provides a weekly story time for all preschool children. 

Story Times

Weekly our children visit the library for story time. Each story time is engage with fun, age-appropriate read alouds. Story time includes a critical thinking activity, a story, sing-a-longs, and creative movement.

Birthday Books

The birthday book program allows parents to make a donation in honor of their child’s birthday. Those donations are used to purchase books for the school library.

Art

The art education program supports learning in every area of our play based, Reggio inspired curriculum. From our earliest age groups, children have a weekly opportunity to work with our Atelierista (Art Educator) and to experiment with various art mediums, creating sculptures, drawings, paintings, collages and portfolios. Our art studio provides children with a dedicated resource to explore art expression in a focused and creative environment. The onsite kiln allows the children to regularly explore and work with clay, creating beautiful works of art.

Our teachers participate in professional development at the High Museum in support of our art program. The children enjoy the walking field trips to view exhibits and further develop their appreciation of art and culture.

Music

Every class attends a special music period once each week with our music teacher. Lessons focus on sound, rhythm, melody, and harmony and encourage children to create, share, and observe musical ideas in a small group of peers while playing percussion instruments and learning songs (Christian and secular). Songs and music stimulate the children to be more creative, to express themselves, and to develop an awareness of spatial concepts. The Alliance Theatre affords the children a cultural experience that sparks their creative thinking. The performances they attend advance their artistic development and expand the consciousness of the young audiences.

Chapel

The Chapel experience is a fundamental and distinctive part of First Presbyterian Preschool. Once a month, children in our older twos, threes, pre-k & kindergarten classes participate in chapel. Parents and friends are always welcome to attend. Classroom teachers stay and participate with their students and use songs learned from chapel in their classrooms. Children hear Bible stories, sing songs about God, participate in discussions and dramatizations, learn Bible verses, and pray. Some of the overriding themes of the chapel curriculum are God’s unconditional love for each of us, communication with God through prayer, and the belief that Jesus is God’s son. In the fall, Old Testament stories predominate. Advent season is a time of great celebration that culminates in Christmas Chapel. In the spring, New Testament stories and the teachings of Jesus are emphasized.

Get Started!

We strive to provide a high quality academic education within a Christian environment of love, support, and acceptance. We pursue a learning community that nurtures creativity  and critical thinking and in which children develop skills that prepare them for their next academic steps.

Each child at First Presbyterian Preschool is celebrated as a unique creation of God. Therefore, we attempt to individualize instruction to meet the needs and skills of each student. We do this in an atmosphere of love and understanding rather than a climate of pressure. The Preschool welcomes and celebrates children and families of all ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds.

Curriculum planning

All curriculum plans are tentative, and children modify them by their response. Curriculum is always expanding. To carry out this approach, teachers engage in an ongoing process of planning, analyzing, observing, and evaluating the children’s activities, ideas, needs and interest.

Our curriculum planning is driven by three major components: project, scope and sequence, and documentation. 

  • The projects are created by the children based on their expressed interests or those initiated by teacher provocation.
  • Our scope and sequence is a “road map” for the teachers to ensure the children are developing the necessary skills to move to their next level of learning.
  • Documentation is a crucial third part, allowing the children’s point of views to be expressed through anecdotal notes, and allowing parents to see the environment, activity and progress through images of not only the project, but of their child.

 


1328 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30309

404.228.7722  |  [email protected]
Schedule A Tour

Copyright © 2019 | First Presbyterian Preschool. All Rights Reserved.

LOG IN / ACCOUNT