PreK Curriculum

St. John's Area School Pre-Kindergarten Program has adopted the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota's Early Learning Standards (ECIP's).  In the early years, children's brains are developing rapidly and many cognitive connections are being created.  The ECIPs support this cognitive development and help children learn how to learn. Approaches to learning focus on: 

• Curiosity, Engagement, Persistence, Inventiveness, and Organizing Information

Guided by the ECIPs, the skills and concepts encouraged in daily activities will support positive cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.

You can find a copy of these standards at https://education.mn.gov.MDE/dse/early/ind/

The ECIPs, which are aligned with the K-12 Academic Standards, ensure equitable access to a robust education across programs for all children.

The areas of learning or domains included in the ECIPs are:

• physical and movement development
• language
• literacy and communications
• mathematics
• science
• social systems
• approaches to learning
• the arts
• social and emotional development.

PreKindergarten Activities & Curricular Areas of Exploration
Art: Art activities help to improve fine motor coordination through tearing, pasting, drawing, painting, cutting, coloring, building, and other small movements.  The art process, not the product, is important.

Dramatic Play: Children are encouraged to participate in music and rhythm activities, as well as being actively involved in telling stories, dressing up, and pretend play.  The Dramatic Play Center theme will be changed throughout the year for children to explore and enjoy.

Games: Board games and puzzles are an important part of Pre-K life.  Children learn how to: take turns, share, and even how to “lose gracefully.” Students will have many opportunities to play games and complete puzzles.

Religion: Pre-K children will be introduced to the concepts of prayer, Bible stories, and age-appropriate religion concepts.

Stories: Picture books are used throughout the school year.  Stories are used to foster an appreciation for literature, to help develop memory skills and pre-reading skills.  Stories also aid in developing listening skills and curiosity about the world.

Colors/Shapes/Letters: Children will learn about basic colors and shapes.  The alphabet will be introduced with a variety of engaging activities in preparation for Kindergarten.

Math: Children will be introduced to numbers 0-10 (with limited exposure to larger numbers).  They will be asked to sort, count, compare, and develop matching and patterning skills.

Science: Awareness in our physical world will be developed and fostered through hands-on activities and question and answer sessions.  

Language Development: Children will be encouraged to verbally share ideas, thoughts and experiences and encouraged to express feelings and opinions.

Music: Students will be exposed to various aspects of musical expression (singing, dancing, playing instruments, games, etc) 

Movement and Exercise:  The children will participate in activities involving large motor skills such as throwing, hopping, running, dancing, climbing, and other physical movements to develop coordination and to enjoy being physically active.