Introduction
The Junior Scholars Preschool program is developed from two chief sources. First, and most certainly, we affirm that our vision and belief on children's care and education is crucial to our daily curriculum. Second, we understand and keep close to mind and heart the Ministry of Education's kindergarten results, since the majority of young children are expected to advance into the public school system.
After much study, examination and collaborative review, the Junior Scholars Preschool ideology has grown to include methods to caring for brain development, character development, and the art and magnitude of imagination and its relationship to intellect. We understand and recognize your child as a valuable reserve waiting to be revealed each and every day he/she enters our school. Junior Scholars Preschool directors and staff wish to express to you, the parent, that our program is a clearly thought out strategy with a concentration on your child's educational well-being and maturity.
Language Arts
Junior Scholars Preschool assumes a natural strategy to the attainment of speech and language. From a child's physical, oral art of self-expression through theatre and drama to teacher directed active listening exercises, storytelling and so much more; we regard exposure to language and communication as a mandatory part of your child's daytime routine. Educators are committed to create opportunities for children to develop their language and communication skills in workshops that singularly provoke interest and enjoyment. Song, poetry, rhyme, question and answer during circle time are all encouraged as part of day-to-day activities. Furthermore, Junior Scholars Preschool well prepares your child for formal education by kindly reassuring and designing various tactics to develop fine motor writing skills. We recognize elementary drawing and shape study as important first steps and accomplishments in acquiring penmanship and encourage children to take pride in their new found art through exposure to fine writing such as calligraphy and letter proper letter study. Then, concepts of writing and formal writing skills are the focus and discussion in the Kindergarten Classes. Our French language component is extra-special in that we are proud to have a private French language tutor on staff with experience both international in children's education and care.
Arithmetic
Chronological comprehension of all things is a function of our daily routine and reality. At Junior Scholars Preschool we are entirely conscious of this and thus introduce numbers, shapes, and general and specific math operation to our children as early as possible. Junior Scholars Preschool encourages the child to assess, calculate and then determine and understand the true value of numbers rather than rely on tactics that stress memory and recognition. Certainly, any child may be able to count from one to twenty, for example, but is that child able to conceive value, assess, calculate, determine and show example of the numbers he or she is so easily rhyming off? Through our approach we acknowledge and understand this. Junior Scholars Preschool will nurture your child's active learning and will act responsibly in the advancement and progression of their intellect.
Social Studies
Writer Robert Louis Stephenson once wrote, "The world is so full of a number of things, we should all be as happy as kings." At Junior Scholars Preschool this is a philosophy we aim to adhere to. This section of curriculum deals with numerous branches of learning. From science and technology to history, your child will be introduced to and will learn a great "number of things." Our teachers create various vehicles for learning and topics of discussion that will communicate to children the world beyond their own front door and concentrate on respecting the similarities and differences of people and seeing the world as an endless space ripe and ready for their discovery.
Music
Music brings beautiful forms and rise to the human spirit and expression. At Junior Scholars Preschool our music program encourages children and educators to interact in delightful, stimulating, and developmentally sound ways. Children love this program because we offer nourishing content and child-friendly learning adventures such as on-going exposure to classical and jazz forms with many sing-a-longs thrown in to let loose positive energy. We are conscious to introduce children to new, charming and lovely sounds and harmonies that are designed for their little ears. We also compliment our music program with real world objects and instruments that children can get familiar with, play, discover and enjoy. Music, and most especially our music program, introduces children to a variety of art forms. Physical expression through dance and movement, communication through song and lyric, poetry, language and foreign languages are all part of this interactive experience that no doubt enhance the child's opportunities for learning.
Arts and Crafts
Subject matter that gives children access to knowledge is established in advance of each project. Each and every assignment relates to the subject matter or theme in an enjoyable, inspired, and very exciting and original manner. Children need little encouragement on our part to have fun in this area of programming as our tremendous catalogue of resources for arts and crafts is both plentiful and superior in quality. And, yes, we have plenty of art smocks.
Storytelling
The capacity and gift of language and communication is a treasure to be valued. Imagination expressed through the spoken word in story is supported throughout the school. Storytelling also supports our schools early literacy plan and initiative. Our child libraries are rotated regularly to keep fresh the focus and interest of the children. Reading circles followed by a question and answer period and discussion are a common part of the program day.
Social Communication
Junior Scholars Preschool recognizes that in its simplest terms, a value is a belief about what is centrally important
and hence what should take procedure in guiding decisions and actions. To be real however, values must be credible and to be credible they must be publicly visible, consistent patterns of behavior, not just fine-sounding words or slogans. Adjusting to the social environment can be an intimidating and remarkable experience for children. Teachers are careful to lead by their own example on manner, character, and behavior as children learn and discover their own attitudes, personalities and values as a social being.
Physical Education
Health professionals are concerned and think it is important to educate youth about physical activity and their health and to encourage them to do more. Additional evidence suggests that a lack of physical activity is dangerous to their health and can be a major contributor to weight gain and obesity. Today, most children have been following Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Parents and teachers have facilitated this learning. Now it's time to generate the same enthusiasm and interest in physical activity- the health of Canada's children depend on it. As teachers who are in daily contact with children it is our responsibility to promote physical activity and health into the school day and help children become aware of the importance of physical activity and healthy living. At Junior Scholars we would like not only to meet this commitment to children's health and fitness, but exceed the demands of the expected criteria. In our continuing efforts to promote child health and fitness, we are proud to present parents and children, as part of our extra curriculum, in cooperation with Seafoth Martial Arts, the Lil' Dragons Program. Lil' Dragons is an industry respected and successful program and the second of its kind in all of Canada. There are imposters that run children's programs such as this, but do not compare as they are geared toward the pre-teen and young adult. This program is dedicated to being child-specific. It provides child-friendly equipment, nurturing and qualified instructors, a program plan which teaches children physical skills, life skills and safety skills concurrently through martial arts. The child-specific curriculum covers everything from home, fire, and traffic safety, stranger awareness and first aid, to respect, leadership, team building, health and nutrition and so much more.
Also, as part of our extra-curriculum, in co-operation with professional and experienced dance instructors of our community respected dance academy, we are proud to present a comprehensive dance and pre-dance program. Down with Dance will introduce your child to movement, music appreciation and choreography in jazz, ballet and classical forms at an early age. Certainly the biggest advantage of specialized programs such as Lil' Dragons and Down with Dance is that they exists and will carry on at Junior Scholars Preschool within the schools hours of service under the supervision of experienced and qualified childcare professionals in an environment designed for children licensed and by the Day Nurseries Act. We recognize this as refreshing options in choosing your child's health and fitness needs and are confident that there is no other program in Mississauga that has yet introduced this kind of creative feature to their program.
Further to this, all teachers participate and encourage all children to, "stretch n grow." Teachers promote physical activity, strength and gross motor skills through teacher-lead aerobic routines and games. Wow! Developing your child's gross motor skills will create a healthy and happy individual. Junior Scholars offers programs and play opportunities that focus on hand-eye coordination, balance, nutrition, depth-perception, and so much more. Certainly, should your child wish to engage in other activities such as riding scooters, climbing the play structure or just running around in a game of tag, our thumbs are up. All types of safe, fun, physical activities are encouraged.
For more information on Seaforth Martial Arts, Lil' Dragons and Down with Dance please go to www.teamsmac.com, www.downwithdance.com, or www.lildragons.com.
Computer and Technology Literacy
The Information Age offers little forgiveness for those who have not kept up with technology. Certainly, the pace at which new technological advances are developing is staggering and cannot be avoided. At Junior Scholars Preschool we are entirely conscious of this reality and have responded sensibly. We have developed a computer lab for the JK and SK rooms complete with software that offers fun and exciting learning experiences. Children are encouraged through our curriculum to spend time on the workstations and to familiarize themselves with the equipment and sequence of controls.