English

Language and literacy are critical for all other aspects of the curriculum and for the children’s social and emotional development. Our language curriculum pervades the children’s daily experiences. We teach language through conversations, story telling, songs, sound games, books, pretend play, and our language and music classes. We teach literacy starting in the infant program with the alphabet song, simple books, and basic pattern recognition games. The teachers engage the children in conversations throughout the day, help them to use words and stories as they interact with each other, and encourage them to read age-appropriate books. The teachers also read to the children daily and engage them in group reading by posing questions about the stories such as what a particular character is feeling or what will happen next.

All classrooms at Sunshine Academy are also “print-rich” in that all areas, materials, coat hooks and mailboxes are labeled; high-quality age-appropriate books are accessible; and children’s own writing in on display. Through the exploration of their environment and the guidance of their teachers, the children learn to recognize letters, numbers and regular word patterns.

Infants & Toddlers

LEARNING EXPECTATIONSEXAMPLE ACTIVITY

Imitate Rhymes and Songs

  • Sing songs such as the "Alphabet" song, "Wheels on the Bus", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Down by the Bay"

Use words to indicate needs, name objects or ask for help

  • Repeat basic needs words throughout the day (help, please, more)
  • Play simple word games such as b-b-book, l-l-look, h-h-hook, c-c-cook
  • Play I-spy and other naming games

Understand and practice conversational skills

  • Take turns talking and listening during circle time and while interacting in the classroom
  • Practice answering and asking questions
  • Practice using polite language to make requests

Understand and Practice Narrative Skills

  • Listen to stories read aloud
  • Tell stories about personal experiences
  • Create pretend-play scenarios

Develop a Broad-Based Vocabulary

  • Use adjectives to describe sensory materials, such as playdough and shaving cream (e.g., soft, sticky), or nature items, such as pine cones and leaves (e.g., pokey, crunchy)
  • Describe other daily experiences with details

Understand How to Match Letters to Sound

  • Listen to stories read aloud; practice reading
  • Explore alphabet puzzles and games
  • Learn songs, poems and rhymes that play with sounds (e.g., icky, sticky bubble gum)

Learn to Write Name and Simple Words

  • Draw with pencils and writing stencils
  • Practice writing name on artwork with scribble writing and protoletters

Explore a Variety of Languages and Literacies

  • Sing songs, learn words in other languages
  • Explore foreign writing systems and iconic symbols and their meanings (e.g., stop signs)

 

Preschool & PreK

LEARNING EXPECTATIONSEXAMPLE ACTIVITY

Understand and Practice Narrative Skills

  • Listen to stories read aloud
  • Tell stories about personal experiences
  • Create pretend-play scenarios
  • Draw picture stories

Understand and practice conversational skills

  • Take turns talking and listening during circle time and while interacting in the classroom
  • Practice answering questions and explaining choices during activities
  • Practice using polite language to make requests

Develop a Broad-Based Vocabulary

  • Describe daily experiences with expressive language and detail
  • Practice writing words for each month’s theme

Understand How to Match Letters to Sound

  • Listen to stories read aloud; practice reading
  • Explore alphabet puzzles and games
  • Identify words and signs in the classroom
  • Learn songs, poems and rhymes that play with sounds (e.g., Willaby, Wallaby, Woo)

Learn to Write Words, Simple Sentences, and Stories

  • Draw with pencils and writing stencils
  • Practice writing name on artwork
  • Participate in writing classroom books

Explore a Variety of Languages and Literacies

  • Sing songs, learn words in other languages
  • Explore foreign writing systems and iconic symbols and their meanings (e.g., stop signs)