In lessons, a prompt for teacher’s voice is printed in bold type if needed to support teaching. All further suggestions in subject lessons are in plain type.
The subject lessons in this best at home preschool curriculum may be taught in any order. However, at times, subject teaching order is suggested in parentheses (To Follow Science activity), (Discuss over Nursery Tea), etc.
*SAFETY: precautions for child’s health and safety
Enrichment: suggested activities to enhance lesson, if needed or desired
Calendar: lesson month
Communication with Parents: if needed for parents of guest children – notes, invitations, or instructions to be sent home
Nursery Tea: 2 book-related menu suggestions for snack time with recipes and photo
Display: featured book of the week and suggested object on display to give a clue to the story and set the mind wondering
Welcome Activity: assorted toys and games set out on arrival to class, child preparation help for a subject lesson or activity during the week
At the Hearth: read aloud the featured book of the week to set the stage for all the week’s lessons and activities, choose a comfortable, established place to consistently gather before each teaching session to read, re-read the book
History: lessons and activities to introduce chronology, past reality and the broad concept of time
Geography: lessons and activities to develop a sense of place and in turn, a sense of belonging
Science: lessons and activities to encourage wonder, discovery and exploration as well as to develop overall awareness and key life skills
*Best at Home Preschool Curriculum Suggestion: The following 4 subject lessons: Fresh Air & Recreation, Nursery Tea, Personal Growth/Feelings and Alphabet Time are best presented to children in this order for consistency and structure
Fresh Air & Recreation: take a break with structured and unstructured outside time to release energy, move, play, socialize and enjoy fresh air as many times a day as desired or needed
Serve Nursery Tea: after coming inside, child/children and teacher sit together and enjoy a prepared snack while discussing the Personal Growth/Feelings lesson together, a favorite time of day for both teacher and children in this best at home preschool curriculum
Personal Growth/Feelings: (Discuss over Nursery Tea) opportunity to learn and identify own feelings, share opinions, thoughts and feelings, listen to others and recognize their feelings
Alphabet Time: consistent lesson format and fun activity to learn and recognize the name and sound associated with each letter of the alphabet, the building block of literacy
Pretend/Drama: lessons and activities to support and encourage imagination and creativity through role-play, social interaction and experimenting with the power of language
Music & Rhyme: lessons and activities with rhythm and repetition to naturally help boost a child’s language and literacy skills as the mind and body work together
Arts & Crafts: lessons and activities to support sensory and fine motor skills, creativity, imagination, self-expression and encourage a sense of pride in their creations
The World Around Us: lessons and activities to promote an understanding of and answers to what, where, how and why questions about the world around them
Pre-Reading/Writing: this best at home preschool curriculum includes age-appropriate lessons and activities to prepare for reading and writing readiness
Pre-Math: lessons and activities introducing simple math concepts, terminology and number sense
Thinking Skills: lessons and activities providing opportunities for personal responsibility and developing critical thinking skills
Perceptual: lessons and activities to develop sensory awareness and a greater perception of child’s own body in space
Language Skills: lessons and activities to promote language development and expression, supporting the progress of literacy
Addition to Classroom: an object from the week to become a permanent fixture in the classroom, a reminder of the featured book and its fun activities
With love, Janet Nicole: a quote chosen or written by the author with you, the teacher and caregiver in mind to support, uplift, applaud and encourage you in your powerful and precious parental role
Nursery Rhyme – a timeless nursery rhyme to share with your child each week
Photographs – two charming photos for fun and reference: lesson materials, crafts, projects and Nursery Tea
*a little bit of magic – Preschoolers, “the magic years”, aren’t able to grasp all there is about the world so they often make-up their own magical explanations for why or how things are. This little, weekly sparkle encourages the magic and you get to join in!
