Learning Goals for Threes Classes:

Threes classes focus heavily on the social emotional development of a child. Learning to be in a classroom without a parent or caregiver and learning to enjoy the companionship of classmates and teachers is a primary goal. In addition, creative and cognitive activities are designed to stimulate curiosity, exploration and learning in the classroom setting. Creativity and imagination are supported in all learning centers of the Threes' classrooms.

Social/Emotional Learning Goals:

In support of social/emotional growth the threes curriculum fosters the development of self-help skills, independence and an awareness of others.

Independence:

• A predictable and consistent daily schedule is followed to support the children's adjustment to the school environment. Children develop the ability to participate in classroom activities and manage transitions independently and in groups.
• Teachers help children learn to express personal needs and address those needs with decreasing adult support.

Peer Interaction:

• The classroom is set up with centers that facilitate individual, small group and whole group social interaction. Classroom centers provide opportunity for dramatic play, block play, sensory experiences, creative art and cozy book looks.
• Through play with their peers and modeling from the teachers, children learn to express their ideas, become aware of others' ideas and develop an understanding of the world around them.

Cognitive Learning Goals:

In support of cognitive learning, the Three's curriculum fosters the development of language and literacy and the development of mathematical/scientific thinking. Threes have a variety of "in house" field trips to enhance cognitive curriculum. Additionally, CDSW provides foreign language enrichment.

Language and Early Literacy:

• Teachers encourage conversations with adults and between peers to broaden vocabulary and enhance listening skills.
• Teachers incorporate songs and finger plays on a daily basis.
• Simple one and two-step instructions are used to engage children and enhance listening skills.
• Books and theme-based literature are read daily.
• Classrooms are "print rich" environments.
• Ideas, thoughts and experiences are recorded with pictures and words and shared individually and in a group.

Pre-Math:

• Threes explore pre mathematic concepts through activities such as counting, learning shapes, pattern making, block building and cooking.
• Songs, finger plays and stories reinforce numbers and counting.
• Matching games and activities are available.
• Teachers illuminate comparisons whenever appropriate (larger, taller, shorter, etc.)

Scientific thinking:

• Threes learn scientific thinking through exploring, observing, experimenting, questioning and predicting. Activities include but are not limited to cooking (cause and effect), paint color mixing, matching games (to strengthen visual discrimination), and investigating properties of matter (warm, cold, hard, soft, and the like).
• Through teacher directed activities and open-ended experimentation, children explore concepts of momentum, cause and effect, sink or float, temperature, and solid vs. liquid.
• Classes use the CDSW walking trail and butterfly garden for seasonal/nature based learning including planting and growing experiments.
• Visitors to the threes classes include a dentist, a librarian, the Woodcock Nature Center and Critter Caravan.

Spanish:

Threes receive weekly lessons with our Spanish teacher. Children are introduced to the Spanish language through songs, movement and puppets. Threes Spanish curriculum includes: counting from 1–20, primary colors, greetings, vocabulary words, phrases, Spanish bingo and age appropriate Spanish/English literature.

Creative Learning Goals:

In support of creative development the Threes curriculum includes activities to foster creative self expression through art activities, music and movement and imaginative/dramatic play.

Art:

• Children participate in expressive art experiences including open-ended art activities where the process is emphasized, not the finished product. This includes an open easel, playdough, fingerpainting, collage, and exposure to a variety of art materials.
• Teacher directed art projects are offered to work on following directions and specific fine motor skills.

Music and Creative Movement:

• Children participate daily in musical activities using song, instruments and dance.
• Our music and movement specialist leads the group in music, dance, and storytelling and includes the use of instruments, puppets and musical props.

Physical Development:

In support of physical development the Threes curriculum includes activities to foster the development of coordination, balance and strength needed for gross and fine motor skills.

Gross Motor:

• Through playground activity the children develop coordination in walking, running, climbing and jumping.
• During movement classes children work on balance, strength, spatial awareness and ball skills while enjoying games, obstacle courses, mat activities and parachute fun.
• Teachers use a wide array of equipment (mats, scooters, balls, ladders, balance beams, and parachutes) to target use of specific muscle groups and enhance development of coordination and motor planning.

Fine Motor:

• Small muscle control is developed through use of manipulatives including peg boards, buttons, magnets, construction activities and beading.
• Art materials including crayons, colored pencils, chalk, markers, scissors and paints are available.