PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND PHILOSOPHY

I.    PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY 

            The Granby Preschool believes that play is a child’s work and that learning occurs during developmentally appropriate, child-centered activities.  Children learn concepts best when they are meaningful and relevant to them.  They acquire knowledge through the active exploration of their environment.  Consequently, it is the teacher’s responsibility to provide a learning-enriched environment, which provides stimulating and challenging experiences for them.  The teacher then acts as a facilitator: encouraging, promoting and reinforcing a child’s attempts, questions, skill development, and discoveries.

            The Granby Preschool also strives to provide a coordinated and progressive program of services, which is responsive to the needs of individual children.  A unique feature of the program is the inclusion of children with special needs with their peers. 

  

II.    PROGRAM GOALS 

            Although specific goals for individual children may vary, in general, the Granby Preschool emphasizes the following goals for all of the children: 

  1.  Foster positive self-esteem
  2.  Develop social and play skills
  3.  Develop their ability to think, reason, question,
      and problem solve
  4.  Encourage language development
  5.  Enhance physical development (both fine motor
      and large motor)
  6.   Increase self-care skills and independence
  7.  Enjoy creative process and expression
      (vs. an end product)
  8.  Respect diversity
  9.  To develop a love for learning and books
10.  To feel safe and loved 

            The Granby Preschool follows the program standards and curriculum frameworks set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Education.  Children are introduced to a variety of pre-academic concepts such as: colors, shapes, number I.D., counting, patterns, graphing, sorting, letter I.D., sequencing, rhyming, letter/sound associations, etc.