THE MAPLES PROGRAM
(4-YEAR-OLD, TAUGHT SEPT-JUNE)
The Maples program is for children who are 4 years old by December 31.
The activities within the Maples program are engaging, fun, creative (and sometimes messy too) as children develop foundational skills in literacy, numeracy and other domains while being encouraged to explore their world and follow their imagination. The Maples program expands on the basics covered in preschool.
We believe that kids should be kids and encourage activities where they can play, be active, use their imagination, and share ideas. Where some children may feel passionate about art, others may focus on role playing or building. Teachers adapt to the learning needs of the child while creating an inclusive classroom. Parents can feel confident that their children are encouraged to play freely while meeting the benchmarks of early childhood education.
With a focus on school readiness, our active learning environment includes intentional teaching experiences and child initiated learning.
Class Highlights
Math & Science
- Size, shapes, opposites, left and right, one-to-one correspondence, more and less, big and small
- Ordinal numbers, printing, counting
- Following directions
- Addition
- Calendar exercises
- Graphing weather starting in January
- Measurement of the children occurs in January, March and June
- Theme-related science, e.g.: polar animals, space
- Planting seeds
Phonics / Literature
- 2 sounds per week
- A different work sheet finished each day
- Children start reading simple 3-letter words after 6 months
- Tricky (sight) words are introduced in the seventh month, for ample: the, I, you
- Comprehension/vocabulary introduced
- Printing letters, reading
- Children build new words a day (March - June)
- Children start to print 3 new words a day from dictation (March - June)
- A vast variety of books and poems are introduced, usually theme-related
- Social stories/ behaviours
- Comprehension, asking ‘exploring the 5 Ws?’
Art, Music and Play
- We start out the day with a welcoming song and routine
- Movement songs
- Theme songs during circle times
- A different planned art activity is done a daily basis
- Our emphasis is on creativity, language, and fine motor skills
- Art activities incorporate both themes and phonics
- Painting, gluing, cutting, coloring and markers
- Social skills are taught through play
- Activity centres
- Snack time and art are part of play time
- Dramatic play, art, and floor and block play is age-appropriate