• curriculum

Curriculum

Based upon knowledge of child growth and development, teachers plan individualized curriculum designed to promote the development of each child. We strive to help children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive, and creative learners.

Our curriculum goals are in the following areas of development:

+ Social 

Through school, a new and different world is introduced into the child's life. Westlake United Methodist Preschool will help the child to adjust socially by:

  • encouraging the enjoyment of work and play with others as part of a larger group;
  • encouraging him/her to see himself/herself as an individual in relationship to others;
  • encouraging growth in independence, self-confidence, and self-control.
  • encouraging certain behavior responses while discouraging others;
  • encouraging interaction and friendships; and learning to give, share, and receive.

+ Emotional 

Emotions are a combination of physical and mental states, which react upon each other. Understanding the way a child reacts to situations, redirecting his/her reactions, and helping him/her to attain necessary satisfaction are important to the child's growth. Westlake UM Preschool helps the child grow emotionally by:

  • encouraging the child to see emotions as a natural and acceptable life process;
  • helping to direct and channel emotions into constructive use;
  • understanding and accepting certain limits; and
  • helping each child develop self-esteem.

+ Physical 

Physical development is an equally important goal to the child's total developmental process. Developments of large and small muscles in the child's body help not only in the attainment of coordination, but also with self-confidence, self-control, and independence. Fine motor skills are necessary before a child can write and manipulate scissors, etc. Westlake United Methodist Preschool provides a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for development, such as:

  • playground and gym apparatus for large muscle growth; climbing, sliding, crawling, and balancing;
  • wheel toys, blocks for building, sand pile;
  • housekeeping materials and furnishings;
  • hammer, nails, and wood for carpentry;
  • balls, ropes, beanbags, toss toys;
  • painting, clay, scissors, manipulative toys; pencils, crayons, markers, and musical instruments, musical games and finger plays.
  • Screen time is NOT part of our daily routine and may be used ONLY for brief periods to enhance or support a curriculum topic.

+ Spiritual 

The United Methodist Discipline recognizes that children learn Christian values of love, understanding and forgiveness by the example of a loving and caring staff. Westlake United Methodist Preschool helps the child grow spiritually by:

  • conducting all activities in a loving manner;
  • encouraging the child to show tolerance of others;
  • attending weekly chapel services led by a minister or lay religious leader;
  • learning songs, stories, finger plays about God's love and other Christian themes;
  • celebrating Christmas and Easter and learning about various holiday traditions in other cultures and traditions;
  • providing opportunity to learn and practice prayer before meals.

+Intellectual 

Westlake United Methodist Preschool understands the child's innate ability and curiosity to learn. Through providing a loving, stimulating environment, the child will have the opportunity for conceptual and perceptual development. With an environment rich in varied materials and experiences, conceptual and perceptual skills will develop with the "whole child." WUMP helps the child grow intellectually by

  • exploring new ideas and experiences;
  • exploring books, vocabulary, and language skills;
  • exploring sensory stimuli: vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell;
  • learning to observe, compare, and to differentiate;
  • expressing concrete and abstract ideas;
  • encouraging games of fantasy and role-playing;
  • encouraging curiosity, thinking, and reasoning;
  • providing art media, music, movement; and
  • encouraging listening to others, following directions and communicating.

+ Hours 

  • 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Extended Day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Classes Offered

Enrollment for all classes is based on the child's age as of September 1. Children may enroll for classes as listed below. Children may add additional days upon request of the parents and as openings are available.

toddlers

  • M-W-F or T-Th
  • 8 children/2 adults

2 year olds

  • M-W-F or T-Th
  • 8 children/2 adults

3 year olds

  • M-W-F or T-Th
  • 10 children/2 adults

4 year olds

  • M-W-F or T-Th
  • 14 children/2 adults
  • 4-day Option Available

4-5 year olds

  • Monday - Friday
  • 16 children/2 adults

Extended Day

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Children may attend Extended Day by registering to attend on a regular basis each week or on a drop-in basis as space allows. Children attending on a drop in basis must have approval from the preschool office for each day staying with payment in advance.

Early Drop Off

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Children may attend Early Drop Off by registering to attend on a regular basis each week or on a drop-in basis as space allows. Children attending on a drop in basis must have approval from the preschool office for each day staying.