Fine Motor Skills: Develop hand-eye coordination through activities like drawing, cutting with scissors, and building with blocks.

Gross Motor Skills: Improve physical coordination through running, jumping, climbing, and other activities that promote physical fitness.

Listening Skills: Develop the ability to listen to and comprehend simple stories and instructions.

Following Instructions: Understand and follow simple multi-step directions.

Problem-Solving Skills: Engage in simple puzzles and games that require thinking and strategy.

Basic Hygiene: Practice self-care routines like washing hands, brushing teeth, and understanding why hygiene is important.

Personal Safety: Recognize basic safety rules, such as not talking to strangers and understanding the importance of wearing seat belts.

Cultural Awareness: Exposure to diverse cultures and traditions to foster understanding and respect for differences.

Simple Science Concepts: Explore basic science concepts like plants, animals, weather, and the five senses.

Early Writing Skills: Practice mark making and representational drawings.

Basic Geography: Recognize basic concepts like maps, continents, and where they live in a broad sense (e.g., city, province).

Basic Addition and Subtraction: Understand and practice simple math operations using objects or drawings.

Memory Skills: Improve memory through activities like remembering objects, short sequences or simple rhymes.

Creative Expression : Engage in creative activities like drawing, painting, and imaginative play.

Critical Thinking: Ask questions and explore answers through observation and simple experimentation.

Understanding Time: Recognize and use concepts related to time, such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Basic Social Studies: Understand family roles, community helpers (like firefighters or doctors), and the concept of rules.

Communication Skills: Expand vocabulary and practice using complete sentences to express thoughts and needs.

Healthy Eating Habits: Recognize and choose healthy foods and understand the basics of nutrition.

Respect for the Environment: Understand basic concepts of recycling and taking care of nature.

Self-Reliance: Develop basic independence skills like dressing themselves, cleaning up toys, and making simple choices.

Basic Literacy: Recognize letters, their sounds, and beginning to blend sounds to form simple words.

Basic Numeracy: Understand and recognize numbers, count to at least 10, and grasp simple concepts like more or less.

Each child develops at their own pace, so while these are general guidelines, we tailor learning experiences to the individual child’s needs and interests in a dynamic and emergent curriculum. 

Learning goals in PreKindergarten are focused on social and emotional skills and development. 

Develops a positive view of learning: Shows enthusiasm and curiosity about new experiences and challenges.

Identifies and expresses feelings in appropriate ways: Recognizes and names their own emotions and those of others.

Learns strategies for managing emotions: Uses techniques such as deep breathing, counting to ten, or discussing feelings to handle strong emotions.

Develops positive relationships with others: Builds and maintains friendships by showing empathy, kindness, and respect.

Accepts and practices responsibility: Understands and follows through on basic tasks and commitments, like cleaning up after play.

Shares, takes turns, and cooperates with peers: Engages in cooperative play, understands the concept of sharing, and takes turns during activities.

Understands and uses basic manners: Consistently uses phrases like “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” in social interactions.

Shows respect for personal and others’ space: Understands and respects physical boundaries and personal space.

Practices problem-solving skills: Works through conflicts or disagreements with peers using verbal communication and seeking adult help when necessary.

Demonstrates self-control: Waits patiently for their turn and manages impulses in group settings.

Adapts to changes: Adjusts to changes in routine or environment with minimal distress.

Recognizes and celebrates achievements: Understands the value of their own accomplishments and those of others.

Participates in group activities: Engages actively in group games and activities, contributing to and following group rules.

Expresses needs and wants clearly: Communicates their needs and desires in a clear, respectful manner.

Demonstrates empathy: Shows understanding and concern for the feelings and perspectives of others.

The children will have the opportunity to experience and explore new social situations. The Pre Kindergarten program is a blend of the Alberta Education Curriculum and the Early Learning and Child Care Curriculum for Alberta.

Additional programs include Yoga, French, Music and Physical Literacy and are included in the fee.

This is a full day program that is available from 7am to 5:15pm.

Located within the Educentres building in Thorncliffe NW just off 64th ave and Centre St.

Outdoor play is an integral part of the day. Children spend at least an hour each day exploring the outdoor environment. This includes walks, visits to nearby parks and playtime in the yard.

The children in this classroom are exploring new ideas and building on social and emotional skills that are the foundation for our Pre Kindergarten. We place an emphasis on problem solving and self regulation, which are critical for future success.

Physical development is supported through daily movement activities. During the week there are many opportunities to engage in planned programs including yoga, music and movement, walks and visits to natural areas.

The children often visit places of interest in the wider community.

Preschool lays the foundation for children moving into their academic years. Our program is based on Flight, the the Early Learning and Care Framework for Alberta. This is a whole child approach to learning that recognizes the significant role children play in their own education.

We are one of the last programs in Alberta to be fully accredited with the highest standard from the Accreditation of Early Learning and Child Care Services.

Teachers in this class hold a Bachelor of Education.

They are building their confidence in their own developmental abilities, so that they can problem solve or know when to ask for help. The children are learning how to identify and cope with their big feelings in a productive way.

This classroom was designed with advanced toddlers and younger preschoolers in mind and the activities consider all areas of development. They are age appropriate and provide challenge, interest and engagement.

A structured program is implemented to cater to the high energy and busy needs of this age group. A typical day may include self directed play, circle time and story telling, outdoor time, music and movement, nature play and focused time on self help skills. Interest centres such as sand, water, blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives, art and a quiet reading area are available throughout the day. Caregivers provide daily feedback about the child’s progress to establish a consistent approach for the needs of the child.

A routine is in place to ensure consistency for the children. A typical day includes nutritious meals, nap time, singing, dancing, art activities, sand and water play and outdoor time . Children are engaged though a sensory based program. Throughout the day they participate in activities that are focused on their senses.

We expand on the five senses of taste, touch, smell, sight and sound. We plan activities that engage tactile, steregnostic (tactile with out the use of other senses), baric, thermal, chromatic and spacial awareness.

We allow for transition time for each child and family to adjust to our program. Transitions are especially important for children to feel safe and secure. Educators work to ease the change for new children into the centre by communicating closely with parents about routines, likes, dislikes and any other specific needs of the children.