PreSchool

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

We believe that each child is uniquely created and designed by God for the purpose of glorifying and praising Him. Additionally, we believe all children are curious and have a natural inclination to learn. To support the well being and development of the whole child, we desire to partner with parents to provide an intentional learning community designed to promote academic, physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth.

In our Eastern Christian Primary Program children are actively engaged in teacher guided learning throughout their day. Our classrooms are equipped to provide interactive and positive environments where students are given opportunities through teacher designed experiences to explore, discover, investigate, and share ideas. Teachers encourage students to be curious, inquisitive and creative as they learn through strategic learning experiences which promote active engagement with integrated manipulatives, technology tools for learning, and other curriculum related materials. Elements of literacy are embedded in every aspect of the day.

Play and developmentally appropriate learning activities involving movement enhance student cognitive, physical and social development. We believe that movement is a natural way for primary program students to learn. Our teachers monitor, coach and guide students in a variety of indoor and outdoor opportunities which foster discovery and growth through questioning, talking, working, and playing.

Daily, teachers invite children to explore God's world and their relationship to it and in it. Teachers respect, value, accept and treat each child with dignity at all times. We believe that children created in God's image learn best when parents and teachers model prayer, faithful living, compassion, gentleness, and forgiveness in Christian community.

Mission:

It is the mission of our Eastern Christian Primary Program (PreK-K) to provide a quality Christian learning community which nurtures each student's God given curiosity into a love of learning. We provide a safe and secure environment for transformational academic, social, emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual growth. The program also strives to develop a partnership with parents and families which results in each child's growth and development.

Vision:

Eastern Christian's Primary Program exists to prepare young followers of Jesus Christ as they develop academically, physically, socially, and spiritually.

Upon completing Kindergarten, students will understand and demonstrate that the spoken word can be written and that the written word can be read. Additionally, students will be able to recognize numbers and quantities and demonstrate that Math concepts can be written. In all areas of learning, students will be developing listening skills and demonstrating the ability to follow directions. At each level of the Primary Program, student creativity and curiosity will be at the heart of their learning. Thinking and problem solving skills will enable each child to move beyond memorization to an understanding of concepts and their application in all areas of learning.

Students will recognize that their bodies are uniquely designed by God. Our program will provide opportunities to develop their fundamental movement skills (balance, manipulation, and locomotor), perceptual motor skills (hand-eye coordination, body-eye coordination), and fine motor skills (coordination of small muscles in hands and fingers). Students will recognize the importance of taking care of their bodies, including a healthy diet, appropriate exercise and sleep.

Students will develop sensitivity for and awareness of the needs of their classmates as well as the needs of others in their community and beyond. Students will practice giving and receiving forgiveness and empathy as they interact in the classroom and on the playground. Beginning to understand fairness and the difference between right and wrong, students will receive and practice following directions and use reasoning to make right choices. At each level of the Primary Program, students will be aware that we are all uniquely created in God's image as each is taught to be kind and considerate of one another. Students will strive to achieve their personal best as they cooperatively work and interact with peers and adults.

All children at Eastern Christian will view God as the Creator of our world and understand the Bible as God's words to us. Primary Program students will learn about God and His redeeming love and learn to pray as a means of communication with God. Biblical core values of love and faithfulness will guide all interactions between students and their peers and between teachers and students. Through an understanding of God's forgiveness and grace, each child will contribute as a member of a Christ-centered community.

Families will support their child's learning based upon relationships of mutual trust and respect. They will be involved in their children's educational and spiritual growth, accept the school's support, and fully participate in their child's Christ-centered education.