Preschool Program
The CDS Preschool Program offers morning classes with the option of an extended day for children ages two to five. A typical day includes free choice centers, snack, circle time, small group activities and lessons, storybook read-alouds, enrichment activities, lunch, and supervised outdoor play. We also emphasize taking care of our bodies and minds through healthy eating and exercise.
Cubs and Brown Bears
This program is designed for two-year-olds.
Children in this age group are introduced to the concept of school as a safe and nurturing place to play with other young children. They develop social skills and learn how to interact positively in a group. In class, children learn primarily through theme-based exploration and play. Teachers guide the children through hands-on, concrete activities that develop their senses and heighten awareness of their environment. Classroom activities include the use of manipulatives, sensory materials, games, and stories. Enrichment experiences include music, art, library, and fitness and wellness education.
Pandas and Sun Bears
This program is designed for three-year-olds.
Children in this age group continue developing their social skills through cooperative and dramatic play. The children learn to work together in small groups. They establish and follow classroom rules. They learn about science and math concepts as they compare, classify, and experiment. Children explore and make discoveries within their environment. Teachers serve as facilitators in concept development and expanding language skills. Language and literature play a major role in this theme-based curriculum. Children are introduced to narratives through storytelling, flannel board stories, big books, and puppets. These activities also play an important role in fostering friendships and helping children resolve conflicts. Teachers provide a rich variety of new vocabulary related to changing classroom themes. Enrichment experiences include music, art, library, fitness and wellness education, and an introduction to foreign language.
Polar Bears
This program is designed for pre-kindergarten children.
The focus for this age group is on developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills by expanding knowledge in areas of interest to the children. Literacy games introduce children to language and pre-literacy skills. Children learn pre-reading skills, such as print concepts, alphabet knowledge, and rhyming. Children develop writing skills as they begin the creative writing process. Children learn to work more independently and to manage their own projects. Through play, children learn about mathematical concepts, such as comparing and estimating, shapes, numbers, and quantities. Manipulatives and other concrete activities reinforce these concepts. Exploration, discovery, and experimentation expand children’s knowledge of the environment. The children learn to make predictions and test their ideas in theme-based units. Enrichment experiences include music, art, library, fitness and wellness education, and an introduction to foreign language.
