Curriculum » Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten

Our Early Childhood Curriculum strives to meet the individual needs and assist the development of all children in all domains: cognitive (intellectual), language, social, emotional, and physical. We support the concept that young children are developing in several domains simultaneously and that each of these areas is interwoven and is equally important to the individual child.

The goal of our curriculum is to meet individual children where they are developmentally and to assist them in continuing to cultivate their full potential and provide them with the best opportunities to become successful learners.

Mathematics: Instruction in the Preschool and Kindergarten curriculum lays the foundation for a child's conceptual understanding of math. Children are encouraged to think and reason mathematically through real life correlations, discovery, and meaningful, concrete hands-on experiences through the use of manipulatives and other props. Concepts include gathering and making sense of information by comparing, contrasting, sorting, classifying, counting, measuring, and recognizing patterns; they are continually reinforced through the use of children's literature, art, dramatic play, music and movement. This exploration of our number system is primarily accomplished through the use of the Investigations in Number, Data, and Space (TERC) curriculum units, supplemented with relevant materials from other sources.

Language Arts: The goal of this program is to create independent, competent, lifelong readers and writers. In our balanced literacy program, opportunities exist for rich language experiences; using spoken language to communicate with others, enlarging one’s vocabulary, expressing oneself, understanding the oral speech of others, participating in a conversation, and using language to solve problems. Students in the Lower School use the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. The multi-sensory lessons teach to all learning styles. Also, the unique materials eliminate problems with letter formation, reversals, spacing, and cursive connections. Reading and writing instruction are embedded in the meaningful, daily activities within the classroom. Children make sense of written language, understand the purpose of print and how it works, gain knowledge of the alphabet, develop phonemic awareness, and write letters and words. Science, art, music, movement, and drama are integral to this balanced program.

Social Studies: Social Studies in the Preschool and Kindergarten is developmentally appropriate and well balanced. Students achieve a sense of self and others; learn to take responsibility for self and others; follow rules and routines; respect others and take initiative. Students learn to show empathy through group decision-making and taking turns. Student activities are hands-on and are introduced through integrated and thematic approaches and supported by dramatic play, music, circle time, games, and the arts.

Science: Science in Preschool and Kindergarten is integrated throughout the curriculum to create a sensory rich experience that appeals to all learning styles. Our discovery based program introduces children to basic scientific principles; Cause and effect, Change, Cycles, Diversity, Energy, Interaction, Interdependence, Populations, Patterns, Properties, Measurement, and Systems. The yearly focus of study (in accordance with the National Research Council) is Our Earth and the Environment, Physical Science, Life Science and Human Body. Students experience a wide variety of hands-on activities that lead to the development of the science processes of observing, communicating, comparing and categorizing.

The Arts: Drama, Dance, Music and Visual Arts are interwoven and addressed throughout the curriculum on a daily basis (National Standards for Arts Education). An experiential, sensory, hands-on approach is used in our curriculum as the children design, create and explore. Children mix paints; pound and shape clay; build structures with blocks, boxes, Legos, recyclables; dance and move to music; dramatize stories; clap rhythms; listen to music; and sing chants and songs. Throughout the curriculum, emphasis is placed on the important role of play (symbolic and pretend).

Physical Development/Motor Skills: Movement and motor development is integrated throughout the curriculum. Gross motor control (moving the large muscles of the body, especially the arms and legs) is achieved through movements such as running, jumping, hopping, galloping, skipping, throwing, kicking, and catching. Fine motor control (using and controlling the small muscles of the hands and wrists with dexterity) is achieved as children are able to perform self-help skills and manipulate small objects such as scissors, paint brushes, crayons, markers and pencils.

Spanish: Hampstead Academy students first experience Spanish in Kindergarten. The teachers use a variety of approaches and provide opportunities that encourage emerging Spanish language usage. The children experience Spanish by singing songs; listening to stories; seeing classroom charts and other printed materials; identifying objects; creative movement; drama; finger plays; games; and other experiences that require communication and speaking Spanish informally within the group. The curriculum is responsive to student interest and ability.

Technology: Teachers integrate technology tools and resources into curriculum areas. Instruction is enhanced through the use of the Smartboard, internet websites, and the LCD projector. Students are introduced to the computer as a tool for communication and collaboration, and are given direct instruction in basic procedures and operations.