Curriculum
Curriculum (Exceed Now Preschool Curriculum)
In the Fall the Language Focus begins a literacy program introducing children to the letters, their beginning sounds, and provides daily activities to enrich comprehension. Each day children experience activities in Language, Math, Science, Culture, Art and Music. Some of the Fall theme-related topics are "School," "Me," "Harvest Celebrations," and units on Hispanic and Native American Indian.
Exceed continues to expand and provide opportunities for children to experience other cultures and customs such as Hanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. The intent is not to endorse a religious preference or belief but to allow children an opportunity to learn about the cultures of people other than themselves. Exceed is rich in language experiences and rhyming words are added this quarter. Some of the Winter theme-related topics include Winter Celebrations, Animals and Birds in Winter, Dinosaurs, Famous People and African American Friends.
In the Spring "My Reading Words" are added to the Language Focus. Children learn a wide variety of words by sight and begin reading these words in storybooks during the Language Focus and the Reading Center. The Irish-American Culture, Art and Garden Shows, and Physical Fitness and Sports activities are included during this quarter. Pond Animals, Bugs, Zoo Animals, Healthy Bodies, and Mothers are some of the Spring theme-related topics presented.
During the Summer takes the children on an imaginary worldwide trip. Each week youngsters visit a different country as they travel around the globe. A review of all skills including letters and beginning sounds, colors, shapes, matching sets, completing puzzles, counting, copying letters and simple shapes, etc. that were introduced during the from September through May are included. An addition to the Language Focus is a writing program designed to assist children in preparing for kindergarten.
Children experience large and small group situations along with individual assistance while exploring the areas of Language, Math, Science, Culture, Music and Art. On a daily basis, children participate in the focus areas and circle time activities, and explore designated locations in the classroom known as "centers" to the preschooler. Socialization is encouraged throughout the daily activities as an integral part of the preschool experience.
The Exceed program takes children on a pretend trip around the world visiting 12 different regions. Children will have an opportunity to experience and appreciate other lifestyles in the world along with their own. A review of all concepts and skills presented from September through May are included during the summer months. Additionally, a Writing Focus will be introduced providing children with readiness handwriting experiences to better prepare them for their next educational phase.
Research
In the U.S., this movement has received recognition and support at the highest levels of government, through Good Start, Grow Smart: The Bush Administration's Early Childhood Initiative. Good Start, Grow Smart makes clear that "there is a strong connection between the development a child undergoes early in life and the level of success that the child will experience later in life."
Internationally, the World Bank has funded extensive research on the links between proactive early childhood education, and its essential role in enabling developing nations to establish tangible, sustainable advances in their social, political, and economic stability.
Exceed Preschool Curriculums were designed and developed by highly educated professionals with lifelong practical classroom experience, and then classroom tested in diverse settings, based on the knowledge that:
Development of the human brain begins soon after conception
Learning begins at birth and, if properly supported, continues throughout life
The optimal environment for maximizing the potential of a child's brain is in a combination of settings that includes the home, and in more diverse environments such as quality day care, pre-kindergarten early childhood education settings, and programs such as Head Start
The most effective preschool curriculum should:
Be based on a judicious combination of the relevant, available research, and practical classroom experiences.
