Village Preschool

Amplify CKLA for Pre-Kindergarten: A Comprehensive Language Arts Curriculum Overview

EDS proudly offers the Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum for our Pre-Kindergarten and Nature Pre-Kindergarten students. This research-based program, grounded in the science of reading, goes beyond teaching foundational literacy skills. It provides developmentally appropriate instruction and activities to cultivate a love of learning, enhance vocabulary and comprehension, and promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

What Makes Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Unique?

• Integrated Content Knowledge: Amplify CKLA recognizes that true literacy extends beyond reading and writing skills. This curriculum includes rich content in history, science, art, and literature, ensuring children gain a broad and deep understanding of the world around them. Research has shown that background knowledge in these areas is crucial for developing strong literacy skills.
• Developmentally Appropriate: The activities and lessons in Amplify CKLA are tailored to be engaging and suitable for young learners. By aligning with the developmental stages of preschool children, the curriculum ensures that each child is challenged and supported in their learning journey.
• Building Foundational Skills: Children develop essential literacy skills through interactive and hands-on activities. The curriculum includes phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, and early writing skills – all taught in a fun and engaging manner.
• Research-Based Approach: Amplify CKLA is grounded in the latest educational research, ensuring that our teaching methods are effective and evidence-based. This approach helps us provide high-quality education that prepares children for future academic success.

Learning Without Tears: Enhancing Early Learning

We integrate the Learning Without Tears program into our preschool curriculum, offering a multi-sensory approach to teaching handwriting. This innovative method engages young learners through hands-on, creative activities involving music, movement, letter play, wooden pieces, and Play-Doh, making developing gross and fine motor skills fun and practical. Research supports that such sensory-rich experiences are crucial for early childhood development, helping children build a strong foundation in handwriting and improving their overall literacy and cognitive skills. By incorporating Learning Without Tears, EDS ensures that every child receives a comprehensive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate introduction to handwriting, setting them up for future academic success.

Orton Gillingham Method

Our Pre-Kindergarten classroom teachers and assistants have participated in training to become certified at the classroom level in the Orton Gillingham Method. This ongoing training provides our faculty with the primary content knowledge of research-based explicit language instruction to support students when reading, writing, and spelling become challenging. 

Pre-Kindergarten Singapore Math: Building Strong Foundations

We are committed to providing our Pre-Kindergarten and Nature Pre-Kindergarten students with a solid foundation in mathematics through the Singapore Math curriculum. This program is renowned for its emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Using concrete, pictorial, and abstract learning phases, Singapore Math ensures children develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts from an early age. Students benefit from hands-on activities that make abstract ideas more tangible, encouraging a love for math through engaging and interactive lessons. Additionally, logical reasoning and mental math skills set students up for long-term success in mathematics and beyond. Through Singapore Math, our young learners gain confidence and competence, paving the way for future academic achievement.

Bringing Spanish to Life in our Preschool

At EDS, we integrate Spanish into the preschool program to provide our youngest learners with a rich learning environment. Introducing a second language early has numerous cognitive, social, and academic benefits. Research indicates that young children are particularly adept at language acquisition, and learning Spanish enhances their problem-solving skills, memory, and overall cognitive development. Additionally, bilingualism fosters cultural awareness and sensitivity, helping children appreciate and respect diverse cultures early on.

Through songs, stories, games, and interactive activities, our preschoolers develop basic Spanish vocabulary and conversational skills in a fun and engaging way. This early exposure builds a strong foundation for future language learning and promotes greater creativity and flexibility in thinking. We are dedicated to creating a dynamic, inclusive educational experience that prepares our students for a globally interconnected world.

We have deepened our commitment to connecting children with nature on our Walton Way Campus through the Dozier Village Garden. As part of our dedication to experiential learning, all preschool students have designated time in our Village Garden to explore, play, learn, and grow. Utilizing research-based principles, our programming allows our youngest students to discover and expand their understanding of nature.

Featuring specific areas for exploration and play, the Village Garden provides a safe and welcoming space for children to spend more time outdoors. Offering many benefits for young children, it promotes physical health through active play, enhances cognitive development by stimulating curiosity and problem-solving skills, and fosters emotional well-being by reducing stress and encouraging mindfulness. These experiences support holistic development and instill a lifelong appreciation for the environment. The Village Garden ensures our students receive these valuable benefits, laying a solid foundation for future educational success.

Physical development occurs both naturally and through different types of play and intentionally by crafting opportunities and activities that will strengthen and refine fine and gross motor skills. These physical experiences support the development of balance, body coordination, spatial awareness, and agility. Through movement and coordination activities, children develop physical attention and relaxation skills, gross motor skills, and coordination. 

Godly Play: A Cornerstone of our Preschool Experience

We are proud to incorporate the Godly Play® curriculum, an innovative approach to religious education, into our preschool program. Rooted in the rich Episcopal tradition, Godly Play nurtures children’s spiritual growth through storytelling, wonder, and play. Each session begins with a Bible story presented using simple yet beautiful materials that capture the imagination. Children are then invited to reflect on the story, ask questions, and express their understanding through various forms of play, including art, drama, and discussion, including art and other creative responses. Through hands-on engagement with these stories, our students develop a deeper understanding of God’s love and the Christian faith, enhancing critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of community among our youngest learners.

This curriculum engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us into Scripture and spiritual experience. Godly Play practice teaches our preschoolers to listen for God and to make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives.

Our preschool students will enjoy Discovery Lab, an exciting science infused co-curricular on our Walton Way Campus. Discovery Lab inspires students to wonder, explore, and discover. Through hands-on investigations, outdoor learning, and scientific inquiry, students develop critical thinking skills while deepening their connection to the natural world.

Chapel: A Heartfelt Tradition at EDS

Chapel, a cherished tradition and central part of life at EDS, is integral to our community and each child’s growth. Our preschoolers come together weekly for chapel services, experiencing a sense of unity and belonging. Through engaging activities, uplifting songs, heartfelt prayers, and meaningful stories, our students are reminded of God’s love for them and the world around them. This collective worship strengthens our school community and nurtures each child’s spiritual development. We welcome families to join us in these weekly chapel services, sharing this time with their children.

Intelligent Screens: Balanced Tech Time for Growing Minds

Technology is not a central part of our curriculum in the Village Preschool. Limiting technology for three and four-year-olds supports their overall development and ensures a balanced approach to learning and play for the following reasons:

Physical Development

• Active Play: Kids thrive on active play, essential for developing motor skills.
• Health Risks: Too much screen time can lead to eye strain, poor posture, and sleep problems.

Cognitive Development

• Hands-On Learning: Preschoolers learn best through hands-on activities that help them understand the world.
• Attention Span: Reducing screen time helps maintain healthy attention spans for sustained activities.

Social and Emotional Development

• Interpersonal Skills: Real-world interactions are crucial for developing social skills and empathy.
• Emotional Well-Being: Limiting screen time reduces anxiety and promotes emotional health.

Language Development

• Verbal Interaction: Language skills grow through conversations, storytelling, and reading with others.
• Expressive Language: Creative play boosts storytelling abilities and expressive language skills.

Imagination and Creativity

• Creative Play: Less screen time encourages imaginative play, fostering creativity.
• Exploration: Activities like drawing and building provide rich, creative experiences that technology can’t replicate.

Balanced Development

• Holistic Growth: A balanced approach to technology supports all areas of development.
• Diverse Experiences: Limiting screen time allows for various activities, promoting well-rounded growth.

Setting Healthy Habits

• Screen Time Management: Early limits on screen time help children develop healthy habits.
• Role Modeling: Parents and educators can demonstrate balanced technology use, showing screens as one of many learning tools.

By limiting technology use, we create a supportive and nurturing environment for our three- and four-year-olds. This approach helps our little ones develop well-rounded skills, setting them up for success.

Joyful Voices: Igniting a Love for Music in Preschool

Music education is essential for preschool children and is an integral part of daily life at EDS. Our comprehensive music program enhances cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and pattern recognition, which are fundamental for academic success. It also significantly improves language skills by introducing new vocabulary and fostering phonemic awareness. Whether singing joyfully during chapel, in the music room, or the hallways, our children are always encouraged to lift their voices in song!

Socially, music fosters cooperation, turn-taking, and teamwork, while emotionally, it provides a vital outlet for self-expression and helps children manage their feelings. Music activities promote physical development through movement and coordination, stimulate creativity and imagination, and expose children to diverse cultures, enriching their global awareness.

Our preschoolers have the opportunity to help lead singing during weekly chapel services and participate in several live performances throughout the school year. These experiences showcase their growing musical talents and build their confidence. The fun and excitement of making music together create joyful and memorable moments for the children. At EDS, we aim to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for music and foster a sense of joy and creativity in every student through our vibrant and engaging music program. Music brings happiness and enrichment to our children’s lives, making every day special.

Our Library: The Heart of EDS

At EDS, our library serves as the heart of the school, fostering a love of reading and learning in every child. Time is set aside each week for regular storytime, interactive read-aloud sessions, and various literacy activities – all enhancing Preschool language development and cognitive skills. We have a specially designated space within our library designed specifically for preschool children, filled with age-appropriate books, cozy reading nooks, and engaging educational resources. This inviting area encourages our youngest learners to explore the magical world of books, stimulating their imagination and curiosity.

We aim to instill each child’s lifelong passion for reading and learning by nurturing early literacy in this vibrant and welcoming environment. Library time is precious as it allows children to explore their interests and develop self-direction as learners. The library at EDS is more than just a place for books; it is a dynamic space where young minds grow and thrive.

Research studies from 2020 to 2024 have reaffirmed that children enrolled in full-day preschool exhibit higher levels of school readiness in areas such as language, math, socio-emotional skills, and physical health. The UChicago Consortium on School Research found that full-day preschool attendance leads to more significant gains in vocabulary and math skills, with these benefits extending into the early elementary years. Additionally, a study highlighted by the California Quality Early Learning Network demonstrated that children in full-day programs showed sustained improvements in cognitive and social skills compared to their half-day counterparts, with the differences persisting through at least first grade.

Adopting full-day Pre-Kindergarten programs at EDS is complemented by incorporating components into the core curricula, particularly in Math (Singapore Math) and Language Arts (CKLA). The increased instructional time dedicated to Literacy and Language Arts (60 minutes) and Math (30 minutes) in the full-day program enhances students’ exposure to essential concepts and skills.

Social-emotional learning is crucial to early childhood education and school readiness. With our full-day Pre-Kindergarten program, EDS provides students with more opportunities for social interaction and emotional development. The increased contact time with teachers familiar with the students further enhances the effectiveness of these learning experiences, resulting in approximately 450 additional hours of enrichment opportunities per school year.