Because young children have a limited capacity to sit for long periods of time, class schedules include centers, circle times, action, and movement. Each morning, children explore learning activities in centers. Centers are changed frequently. Enough activities are planned to give the children a variety of motivation choices. Children may choose from art tables, a block center, floor toys, discovery and table toys like puzzles, playdough, or magnifying glasses, a reading nook, a writing center, or a dramatic play center such as a a kitchen or a cave.

Teachers are always nearby to guide or lend support when needed or to help when there is a momentary loss of control. The teacher is ready to answer questions, offer a challenging statement, or make a requested suggestion.

ART

Art with young children should not begin with an end-product in mind. Our goal is for the child to be involved in the process and the creativity. Children create projects without a great deal of adult help - we believe in providing the opportunity to explore, discover, create and use a variety of materials.

MUSIC

Music activities include rhythm, rhyming, movement and fun. At FPDS, music is a language and socialization time rather than formal music theory. Music happens in the classrooms at circle time and in relation to current themes. Children also attend a weekly music and movement class.

STUDY UNITS AND THEMES

Topics are chosen with the needs and abilities of young children in mind. Study units allow children to be as active as possible and develop new vocabulary as well as act as a springboard for questions, ideas, and discovery.

READING READINESS

Everything we do helps your child become a successful reader. Successful readers have access to an environment rich in language and pull from a broad vocabulary bank. We offer your child a program which focuses on oral language development, the base upon which successful reading experiences are built. In preschool, language flows easily and naturally. Reading readiness skills are reinforced daily with calendars, storytelling, rhyming words, listening skills, auditory memory, sequencing and other many activities that allow children to connect spoken language with written words.

CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE

How will we work with your child in good times and challenging times?

Discipline at FPDS is not a simple timeout and rewards system. Our trained teachers model, cooperate, console, encourage, and set boundaries using a philosophy called Conscious Discipline™.

“Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive social-emotional and classroom management program that uses everyday life events to teach children and adults self-control, conflict resolution, character development and social skills” – Dr. Becky Bailey

Using this Conscious Discipline practice, a research-based discipline approach, FPDS parents, teachers and children strive to:

Set and achieve goals together... despite obstacles

Manage emotions instead of acting out

Set personal boundaries to encourage mutual respect

Resolve conflict in a way that creates closer relationships

FPDS believes that Conscious Discipline aligns with our play-based and developmentally appropriate philosophy so that discipline is not something done TO our children, but rather something we develop WITHIN our children.

We believe these ways of responding help children develop kindness and self-respect, honor those different than themselves, solve problems with love and compassion, and grow into responsible adults.