Alpha-Bet uses developmentally appropriate practices in establishing its curriculum. Students are taught based on not only their age, but also their developmental level. They are encouraged to express their creativity, raise questions and become leaders. Through the use of classroom centers and other activities, the students have the opportunity to learn science, music, art, problem solving skills, language skills and more. Field trips and special events such as school picnics and Family Fun Night are also part our program. Our facilities offer spacious classrooms, a gymnasium and large playground to facilitate learning in more than one setting.


Educational Philosophy statement 
for our 2011-12 school year

Alpha Bet Preschool shall provide a creative environment for children of preschool age in which they can discover themselves and the world around them through experience.

The educational program shall exercise the imagination, curiosity, and intelligence of each child through planned play and individual attention.

Trained teachers and parents working cooperatively will encourage the children in their learning of certain basic skills set forth in the following way for the 2011-12 academic school year:

This year’s classroom curriculums are created by carefully emerging the criteria below, and educating in a hands on active learning environment that is specific to each classroom’s individual needs and interests.

1.     Alpha Bet Preschool’s 3 and 4 year old objectives/guidelines
2.     Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning: Comprehensive Standards for 4 year olds 3.     Current Community Events
4.     Children’s Interests
5.     Parents' Interests
6.     Calendar/Themes

Specific Objectives for 3 Year Olds

Reading Readiness
Recognize and name basic colors and shapes
Read own first name, and if ready, last name
Recognize some letters from own name
Recognize one syllable rhyming words
Tell a story while looking at pictures in a familiar book
Sequence and retell a story using 3 picture cards, after a demonstration
Identify a picture or object that is different from several identical ones

Number Readiness
Count rotely to 5
Give a requested number of objects up to 3 (to higher numbers if ready)
Understand one to one correspondence (e.g. 1 snack cup goes in front of each seat)
Refine matching skills
Identify first and last objects in a arrow or person in line
Show understanding of size words (big, little, heavy, light, long, short)
 
Language Arts
Expand vocabulary
Give full name
Give name of street from address
Say a few lines of several nursery rhymes
Verbalize opposites
Understand prepositions (such as in, under, beside)
 
Social
Play with a group of children
Cooperate and share with others
Wait his or her turn
Follow simple directions
Use good manners
Help clean up and put away school materials
 
Physical
Small Muscle Development
Unbutton, snap and unsnap, unzip and begin to try zipping
Develop skills of snipping and cutting, pasting and gluing
Use manipulative toys and simple puzzles
Large Muscle Development
Put on coat, hat and shoes (not tying)
Catch and throw beanbags and balls
Increase agility and balance
Begin to hop
March, hop, jump and clap in time to music
Learn words and melodies of various songs
Learn to use rhythm band instruments
Learn to appreciate different types of music
 
Artistic
Express ideas through various art media and movement or dance
Develop hand-eye coordination through use of scissors, crayons, brushes, etc.
Enjoy artistic expression



Specific Objectives for 4 Year Olds

Reading Readiness
Recognize basic colors
Recognize various shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
Distinguish right from left
Distinguish likenesses and differences in concrete and abstract objects
Identify letters of the alphabet (capital and small)
Print some letters
Recognize first and last name
Print first name
Recognize some letter sounds
Recognize rhyming words
Understand that the printed word carries a meaning

Number Readiness
Count from 1 to 10 (and beyond)
Write and recognize numerals 0 to 10 (and beyond)
Relate numerical symbols to number value
Understand the meaning of numerical concepts such as more than, less than, equal to, whole, half, first, second, etc.
Recognize some money denominations
Become familiar with the days of the week, months, seasons, time (as it relates to their daily routine)

Language Arts
Expand knowledgeable vocabulary
Know full name, age, address and telephone number
Help tell a familiar story
Express ideas clearly
Express ideas through dramatization and story telling
Listen attentively to stories

Social
Play within a group
Cooperate and share with others
Wait one's turn
Take good care of toys, clothes, etc. belonging to himself and others
Use proper manners
Help clean up and put away materials
Follow simple directions

Physical
Small Muscle Development
Learn dressing skills (button, zipper, tie, buckle)
Develop skills of tracing, cutting, folding, lacing, pouring, tearing
Large Muscle Development
Put on own coat, hat, boots, etc.
Develop skills of running, hopping, skipping, galloping, jumping, bouncing, throwing and catching a ball

Musical
March, hop, jump, clap in time to rhythm
Learn words and melodies of various songs
Learn how to use rhythm band instruments
Learn to appreciate different types of music (folk, classical, pop)

Artistic
Express ideas through various art media (paint, paste, crayons, chalk, playdoh, collage, wood, material, etc.)
Develop hand-eye coordination through use of scissors, crayons, brushes, etc.
Enjoy artistic expression and freedom