Pre-Kindergarten

At usa ‘n’ kids India, language, literacy and communication skills are embedded into all of a child’s daily experiences. Our pre-kindergarten teachers create meaningful classroom experiences to help children use and build their growing vocabulary while developing the ability to communicate in increasingly complex ways, such as:

• Identifying alphabet letters and some letter sounds and attempting to spell using his/her expanding knowledge
• Initiating extended conversations with teachers and peers
• Retelling simple events in sequence
• Reading high-quality children’s books
• Exploring print materials such as instructions, recipes, menus, classroom signs, and non-fiction books
• Writing in journals

Pre-kindergarten students are enthusiastic mathematicians, engaging in math regularly as they build block towers, make patterns on canvas, complete puzzles, or measure the length of a shadow. Our pre-kindergarten teachers ensure children don’t simply learn numbers by routine, but instead build mathematical understanding to solve real, everyday problems by:

• Comparing and contrasting items by characteristics
• Using segments of time such as an hour, minute, or second
• Following complex directions in sequence
• Estimating the number of seeds in a pumpkin or crayons in a box with increased accuracy
• Solving simple number problems

As their cognitive and physical abilities develop, pre-kindergarteners are increasingly able to advance scientific reasoning, to develop and test their own theories, and to engage in long-term experiments. Our pre-kindergarten programs and curriculum build on children’s prior knowledge to broaden their understanding of scientific disciplines, from physics to chemistry to earth science, by:

• Participating in cooking projects
• Testing the concept of gravity with small objects
• Using an atlas or globe to study terrain differences
• Participating in multi-skill experiments
• Disassembling objects such as old roller skates and toy trucks
• Working with teachers to research questions and solve problems using resources on the internet

Pre-kindergarten is an ideal time to introduce children to increasingly intricate artistic experiences that enhance development in areas such as math, vocabulary, and problem-solving. Our pre-kindergarten teachers extend children’s skills and knowledge through open-ended, meaningful, and process-oriented art experiences, such as:

• Sculpting with clay and etching tools
• Writing and illustrating books
• Learning about musicians and playing instruments
• Playing musical games that encouragement movement to different beats
• Acting out an original story using costumes, props and masks

Pre-kindergarteners are increasingly interested in the diversity of people, cultures, and the environment. Our pre-kindergarten teachers foster the development of all areas of children’s emotional intelligence including interpersonal skills, compassion, acceptance, and personal responsibility, by:

• Using favorite things to make “all about me” collages
• Making get well cards for peers, teachers, or community members
• Cooking diverse, healthy foods and listening to cultural music
• Playing cooperatively in dramatic play areas
• Having class jobs that require care of materials, plants, and pets
• Setting up a classroom recycling station

In pre-kindergarten, children are becoming more independent, increasingly responsible for their own choices and decisions, and are ready to start tending to their personal care and safety. Our pre-kindergarten curriculum encourages children to not only be aware of their physical wellness but to enjoy physical activities, eat healthy, and to take pride in their active bodies, by

• Planning and cooking a meal for a class event
• Following instructional posters for personal care routines like handwashing
• Playing soccer, running relays, or assuming yoga poses
• Engaging in conversation with peers at meal times
• Establishing class rules as a group