FPDS - Philosophy

We believe that most children will develop needed skills and attitudes in a challenging environment with the help of caring, interested teachers. Our aim is to provide a program which will help individual young children grow spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually. Our focus is on what the child can do and is learning rather than what the child cannot do and needs to be taught. We are more interested in the process and the thinking involved than in the end product or the mere recitation of facts or labels. We believe that learning is best accomplished by doing, and that children of preschool age require this method of learning.

Our program helps children develop habits of observation, questioning, and listening. The child learns there is freedom to make choices, and that within the limits of consideration for people and things, conformity is not always necessary. We believe an open-ended program like ours prepares the child to utilize intellectual and creative abilities in future learning tasks.

Every day, children work at centers such as; art, blocks, floor, toys, table toys, puzzles, books, discovery and pretend. A staff member is always near to answer a question, offer a challenging statement, or make an asked-for suggestion. Class schedules include much action and movement.

Art

Art with young children should not begin with a product in mind. They should be allowed to explore materials and use them with a minimum of adult help. For a young child, the process of creating is much more important than the product.

Units of Study

Teachers plan their lessons around areas of high interest to the children. A unit of study will incorporate all appropriate areas of development, both physical and intellectual. The teachers respond to and expand on interests shown by the children, resulting in great flexibility in our classrooms

Reading and Math

We teach reading every day! Everything we do will help your child be a successful reader. Our program focuses on oral language development, the basis for successful reading. Appropriate math concepts are introduced throughout the day as an integral part of the oral language focus.

Developmental Goals

1. To become increasingly autonomous
2. To develop a good self-concept; to feel valued and capable
3. To feel secure in relationships with adults
4. To enjoy playing alone and with other children
5. To begin coordinating diverse viewpoints by cooperation
6. To behave in caring ways toward others
7. To cope with fears, anxieties, and frustrations constructively
8. To develop positive attitudes toward learning
9. To show interest and curiosity in materials and ideas and to use initiative in examining the environment
10. To show increased ability in solving problems
11. To demonstrate persistence in completing a task

Cognitive Goals

1. To demonstrate understanding of orally expressed ideas
2. To demonstrate increasing ability to effectively express ideas orally
3. To relate objects, noting similarities and differences
4. To generate interesting and creative ideas and questions

Physical Goals

1. To build awareness of one’s body in space
2. To coordinate fine and gross motor skills

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Page last modified on 07/03/05