PDS

 Pre-K Program

Our state licensed program for children who are 4 and 5 years old focuses on the whole child and provides opportunities for children to enhance their spiritual, emotional, social, creative, physical and cognitive growth.

Each classroom offers lesson plans that are guided by our school’s academic thematic curriculum and correlated with the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS). Activities are planned to accomplish these standards leading to kindergarten readiness.

We have 2 PreK classes to help in kindergarten readiness. PDS has connections with teachers in the Sumner County public school system, providing us with insight as to the skills and abilities needed to excel in kindergarten. When evaluating pre-kindergarten children for school readiness, we attempt to look at the whole child. Having 2 classes allows for the retention of a child, without implying anything negative. Some children just need the extra year for their growth and development - and parents appreciate not having to seek another place for their child to attend in this case.

Social Skills:

• Communicate his/her needs

• Practice problem-solving skills in social situations

• Work in groups or with a partner on a variety of projects

• Practice using manners: please, thank you, excuse me, table manners

• Take care of his/her own basic needs: clean up, fasten clothing, use tissue as needed, etc.

• State personal information: first and last name, age, school name, city, state, country

• Participate in projects to help others in need: Collecting canned goods for the Samaritan Center and other community projects throughout the year

Creative Arts:

• Participate in dramatic play

• Dramatize familiar stories

• Experiment with mixing paint colors

• Sing traditional songs and songs that enhance the curriculum

• Use scarves, rhythm sticks, and bean bags to practice rhythms

• Explore a variety of art processes: painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, etc.

• Use a variety of art materials: crayons, tempera paint, watercolor paint, colored pencils, markers, oil pastels, art chalk, play-doh

Science:

• Observe insect life

• Observe plant growth

• Observe weather

• Make observational drawings and dictation

• Measure and mix ingredients in cooking activities

• Explore science tools: magnets, prisms, magnifying glasses, etc.

• Investigate animals, the homes they live in, the food they eat

• Experience the world through nature walks, gardening, and other explorations

  
  

Literacy:

• Build new vocabulary

• Retell familiar stories

• Answer questions about stories

• Recognize, spell, write first name

• Repeat simple nursery rhymes and finger-plays

• Exposure to alphabet: letter names and sounds

• Draw pictures and dictate sentences about stories and experiences

• Concepts of print: left to right direction, holding a book right-side-up

Math:

• Numerals

• Quantities

• Measuring, Comparing

• Sorting

• Patterning

• Shapes

• Matching: symbols, shapes, patterns, etc.
  
  

Religion:

• Learn about God’s love

• Attend chapel with Pastor Michael Davis

• Recognize that plants, animals, and human beings are God’s creations

• Recognize that God created families to love and take care of one another