Three-Year Old Program Overview

The Three-Year-Old curriculum addresses all developmental domains – social emotional, language, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, large and fine motor. Classroom routines nurture a positive attitude toward learning, respect each child’s level of readiness, support their growing awareness of themselves and their feelings, and foster how to interact appropriately with peers. Children explore concepts and develop skills through meaningful play experiences in engaging, hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities and learning centers. We respect a Three-Year old’s pride in their growing self-help skills and independence by encouraging self-sufficiency in toileting, dressing themselves, being able to wait their turn, and cleaning up with minimal assistance. Teachers use direct and indirect guidance strategies, classroom routines and age-appropriate expectations to develop self-regulation skills, navigate the give and take of play,
recognize the needs of others, and use words to problem solve or negotiate a conflict.

In the Three-Year-Old classes, we focus on two-week-long units of study which incorporate large and small group work, independent play, thematic projects, and open-ended learning center activities. Our topic-based curriculum spirals from more concrete themes such as “I am 3” or “Colorful Shapes”, to more abstract, complex topics such as “Signs of Winter” “African Safari” or “Oodles of Noodles”. The Three’s also delve into a favorite children’s Author Study (i.e. Leo Lionni or Eric Carle), exploring the author’s themes, characterization, illustrations, and storytelling style. In our “Let’s Count” unit, we explore numerals and number sense through books, literacy extensions, and create a one-of-a-kind t-shirt that illustrates each number with an image from one of the literature selections.

Learning Center activities are adapted to support or challenge each child’s skill level. Children are encouraged to follow simple multi-step directions and attend to activities for longer periods of time. They explore number concepts to 10, one-to-one correspondence, rote counting, shapes, non-standard measurement, and primary and secondary colors. Surrounded by literacy, the children begin to recognize their names in printed form and may identify isolated letters, particularly the first initial in their name.

Emerging literacy skills are scaffolded as children dictate and teachers model writing conventions and letter formation, collect environmental print they can “read” (i.e. HEB, Cheerios, Target), or enact a nursery rhyme. Independence and accountability develop through daily routines, classroom jobs, and using their symbol or key to move from center to center. To improve fine motor skills, children explore a variety of art media and manipulatives, more complex puzzles, and increasingly more challenging tasks. Recalling story details, sequencing events, contributing to class discussions and Show ‘n Tell develop language skills.

Topic-based field trips extend classroom learning through real world adventures. Field trips include a ride on the San Antonio Zoo Train, “mailing” a letter to a friend by handing it directly to the postal worker, touring the kinetic sculptures at the McNay Art Museum, and relishing the sights and smells of a nearby bakery.

Three-year-olds have the option of 2, 3, or 5 day a week classes.

The student to Teacher ratio is 8:2 in the Two- and Three-Day classes, and 10-12:2 in the Five-Day class.