Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is simple...Kindergarten preparedness is best accomplished by preparing the whole child. What does this mean? Our Pre-K students are part of a small community that fosters a loving and caring atmosphere. Being part of such a community encourages and allows children to develop their own unique gifts, talents and abilities, which in turn helps them to learn to value themselves as well as others.
Pre-Kindergarten at St. Bartholomew School is carefully designed to encourage each child to learn and grow in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing environment. We work closely with each child to encourage a love of learning, self confidence, self-respect, and a sense of community - all vital components of a child’s complete pre-primary experience.
What sets our curriculum apart is its holistic approach. Beyond academic growth, we emphasize all aspects of their early development, including social, emotional, physical, intellectual, creative and spiritual growth.
Class Size and Environment
Our youngest students require a low student to teacher ratio to ensure that each child receives the attention and care that he or she needs and deserves.
Maximum class size in Pre-K3 is ten and in Pre-K 4 twenty. Each lead teacher is supported by classroom aides.
The classrooms are large, light filled rooms in the main school building. The room is filled with artwork from various children's books, multiple areas for learning that include both floor and group tables, and interactive Smart Boards. There is also a dedicated, private bathroom sized for young children.
Social, Emotional & Physical Development
Through developmentally appropriate practices and modeling, we help our youngest students learn important skills such as:
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mutual respect
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active concern for others
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taking care of oneself and property
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sharing
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listening
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following one and two step directions with increasing independence
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expressing feelings in an appropriate manner
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and developing an interest in the world around them
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Children develop their gross motor skills through physical education class and outdoor play on our ride-ons and mini playground.
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Fine motor skills are developed through daily exercises and play using a variety of tools including play dough, wiki sticks, Q-tip art, and more.
Intellectual Development
Our program prepares students to be successful in Kindergarten by teaching literacy, pre-reading, writing, and math skills, all of which help improve self-confidence and increase independence.
In order to ease their transition into Kindergarten, our students also learn fine motor skills which will help them with correct formation of letters and numbers using the Handwriting Without Tears program. Methods of teaching include hands-on activities, demonstrations, dramatic play, music, art, and creative movement.
Creative and Spiritual Development
St. Bartholomew School believes that fostering spiritual growth and encouraging creativity is critical in developing a healthy and whole child. Children in our program benefit from the many resources already available at our grade school, including a gymnasium, art and music labs, a warm and inviting library, weekly Mass, and instruction about how God is part of their lives.
