Academics

Our program uses The Creative Curriculum^® for Preschool, which is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum, which features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical-thinking skills. We’ve chosen this curriculum because it focuses on the skills and knowledge that are most important for helping your child to be successful in school. Throughout the year, The Creative Curriculum^® for Preschool will help us plan learning experiences that are just right for your child, so that he or she can make progress at his or her own pace.

Additionally, we use Zoophonics and Handwriting without Tears to ensure our students develop critical early literacy skills.

Creative Curriculum Family Letter

• Activities for Preschoolers

• Birth to Three Parenting

• Child Development

• Colorado P-12 Academic Standards

• Early World of Learning Encyclopedia Links to the World Book Encyclopedia for Preschoolers.

• Early World of Learning Tutorial Instructions for World book Early World of Learning.

• Magazine for Parents

• Surfing the Internet with Kids

• Teaching Strategies GOLD The assessment tool we use at the preschool.

• Zero to Three Promote the health and development of infants and toddlers

• Math at Home - ways to promote math development at home

The North Preschool Library is always a busy place to be. Each child visits the library once a week. In the library, students participate in story time, choose to color a picture, play an educational game, make a craft or play at the learning center. Students are able to choose a book to take home to read with their family. Students are only allowed to check out one book at a time. When they return a book on library day, they may check out a new one to take home.
Students are taught to care for their books in the following ways:

1. Use gentle hands with books
2. No food or drink near books
3. No marking in library books
4. Keep books away from pets and babies
5. Keep books in a safe place at home
6. Return books to the school library on library day

Parents/Guardians, it is an established expectation in Widefield District 3 that books that are damaged or books that are lost are the financial responsibility of the adult.

The following tips are from Creating a Culture of Reading: Family Support Materials, Increasing Student Achievement Through Literacy. You can find more tips at Reading Rockets.

Tips for Parents of Babies

Snuggle up with a book. When you hold your baby close and look at a book together, your baby will enjoy snuggling and hearing your voice as well as the story. Feeling safe and secure with you while looking at a book builds your baby's confidence and love of reading.

Tips for Parents of Toddlers

Don't expect your toddler to sit still for a book. Toddlers need to Move, so don't worry if they act out stories or just skip, romp, or tumble as you read to them. They may be moving, but they are listening.

Tips for Teaching Your Child About Phonemes

Focus on one sound at a time. Certain sounds, such as /s/, /m/, /f/ are great sounds to start with. The sound is distinct, and can be exaggerated easily. "Please pass the mmmmmmmmilk." "Look! There's a ssssssssnake!" "You have ffffffffive markers on the table." It's also easy to describe how to make the sound with your mouth. "Close your mouth and lips to make the sound. Now put your hand on your throat. Do you feel the vibration? Once your child learns a few phonemes, it will be easier to keep talking about letters and sounds.