When our 3-year old students begin displaying more complex language skills we transition them to our Pre-K 3 program. Our curriculum continues to build upon the four foundational areas: language, relationships, movement and sensory perception.
An exciting characteristic of 3-year old children is that they become more physically independent and emotionally and socially aware. Building upon the routines established in the earlier programs, the Discovery Tree Academy teachers develop lesson plans that encourage, socialization and problem solving skills. Lesson plans are based on the FunnyDaffer Curriculum and the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards.
A vital part of the Pre-K 3 program is the use of our learning centers. In learning centers your child will practice the concepts and information they learned during whole group and small group activities. They will also learn about the importance of friendships, generosity, and honesty.
Our VPK classrooms have open centers, and the children can choose which centers and activities they would like to do. Lessons are sometimes child-directed and sometimes teacher-directed, depending on the activity or objective. Free choices allow children to be more inquisitive about their world. As a result, these youngsters use trial and error to demonstrate more complex responses to people and objects.
In the Pre-K 3 The Discovery Tree Academy® program teachers continue to “Build the Foundation” for future success by adding work samples and assessments to your child’s portfolio. We continue to assess your child’s growth and development by using Ages & Stages Questionnaires and the CDC Developmental Checklists. Teachers also being using the Preschool Skill Inventory. The Preschool Skill Inventory is designed to help preschool teachers assess what skills their students need to practice. This assessment is given three times between the PreK3 classroom and the end of our VPK program. It’s so fun for families to see how their children grow on this inventory from year to year.
Assessments and work samples are compiled into the students’ growing portfolios. Portfolios are shared twice a year in formal family-teacher conferences. Be sure to look out for the observations and planning notes that the teachers use to design lessons to meet the individual needs of your child. Individual lessons are designed to provide more practice or more challenging activities, either way, your child will have fun learning and growing.
Procare Connect is a fantastic resource that allows you to access the class newsletter and lesson plans. Your teacher will share photos and messages about the need for extra supplies and how you can reinforce your child’s learning at home.
The partnership between Discovery Tree Academy teachers and our families is crucial to ensuring your child has a positive experience in school. Open and continuous communication is an extremely important practice for our teachers.
