Pré-Maternelle Royaume des Enfants

Pedagogical Program

OUR GOALS

Program Objectives

A rich learning environment with much to explore and discover is combined with a program to further the development of the TOTAL CHILD (cognitive, educational, social, emotional
and physical).

Such a program and environment is based on the beliefs that:

Children grow and develop at different rates.
Children are naturally curious and eager to learn.
Learning takes place when they are able to follow their own interest.
Learning is something a child does, rather than something that is done to him or her.
Play is a child’s way of working and learning.
Play allows the child to pursue his own interest. It allows for exploringand experimenting, it permits children to adopt and try different roles,providing the teacher with an index to the child’s thinking and development promoting creativity and stimulating language.
Children learn from each other. They learn to experience a sense of self control, self expression, responsibility, achievement and respect for themselves and others.
A rich learning environment designed with much to explore and discover helps young children learn basic skills as well as experience the joy of learning. Learning happens most naturally in a happy and peaceful environment.
Intregrated in our regular learning experiences for traditional skills such as numeracy and literacy, all our programs offer the opportunity for the child to develop critical thinking, active listening and social perceptiveness. We beleive that these skills will greatly benefit children to help create opportunities and mobility for the future.

Program content

The program at Royaume des Enfants provides periods of independent play, both indoors and out, as well as educational activity in art, music, drama, fine motor, gross motor, language development, science and mathematics.

We plan special field trips, and outings to give emphasis to particular interests and areas of study. Educators plan programs around specific weekly or bi-weekly central themes.

A copy of each educator’s weekly program schedule is available to parents on the educator’s bulletin board or upon request.

SOCIAL ASPECT

We are developing an awareness of others; from playing next to others to playing with others:

Sharing space
Waiting our turn
Greeting educator
Making eye contact
Playing next to others
Playing with others
Saying please and thank you
Sharing toys
Playing in small groups (2 or 3)
Talking to others while playing

EMOTIONAL ASPECT

Encouraging independence and growth:

Learning to adapt to the school setting with ease
Learning to express our feelings and ideas
Asking for what we need
Promoting self-confidence through self- help skills: dressing self, taking care of personal items, wash and dry hands with help
Assuming responsibilities in passing snack, tidying up toys after use…
Asserting self, participating in group games, being able to say “yes”, “no”, “come here”, “stop that!” to others
Making good choices for self (favorite color, favorite toy)

PHYSICAL ASPECT

We are improving balance and coordination skills by:

Walking on tip toes
Running with stop and go games
Pedaling a tricycle
Throwing a ball or beanbag with purpose
Jumping and hopping
Sitting on a chair for a short period of time
Walking from one room to another in a group
Moving and dancing to music
Participating in obstacle courses
Walking on balance beam or a marked line
Balancing a beanbag on head
Catching a ball
Kicking a ball with one foot

ENVIRONMENT

We are developing an awareness of nature:

Observing of seasons and weather
Playing outdoors as a group
Respecting surroundings

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

We are developing eye hand coordination and small muscle control by:

Holding child scissors
Cutting pieces of paper and around simple shapes
Holding a pencil properly
Drawing with purpose and intent
Drawing a simple shape and coloring
Manipulating connect toys
Playing in sand and water
Manipulating play dough
Painting with wrists movements
Filling in all space on the page
Lacing big beads on a string
Turning pages of a book
Completing wooden puzzles
Pasting or gluing materials

COGNITIVE ASPECT

We are encouraging the development of thinking and reasoning:

Encouraging perceptual growth ex: activities using the 5 senses
Developing language skills through books, songs and finger plays
Introducing a second language
Encouraging curiosity: why and where
Following simple directions (1 and 2 actions)
Cooking activities
Doing simple art projects
Encouraging imagination with stories, puppets and imaginative play
Beginning of shapes and colors recognition
Doing simple sequencing and classification activities
Learning to anticipate and follow routine

SOCIAL ASPECT

We are encouraging each child to work and play well with each other and develop cooperative skills by:

Greeting others upon arrival
Making eye contact when speaking
Playing with others
Saying please and thank you
Participating in group activities like circle time
Speaking with other children
Sharing toys and space with others
Respecting peers and their words
Taking turns and waiting their turn
Learning simple negotiation skills
Moving with group from the classroom to the gym in an orderly fashion

EMOTIONAL ASPECT

We are helping each child acquire self-confidence by encouraging autonomy and giving responsibilities in:

Learning to adapt to a school setting.
Following class routines
Identifying feelings and ideas and sharing them
Developing personal pride by completing a project or task
Carrying out class responsibilities such as passing snack, cleaning up , tidying up toys …
Respecting toys and school environment
Asserting self by being able to say: “no”,”yes”,”Come here” or “I don’t like that!” or “I need”
Making good choices for self (favorite color, favorite toy)

SELF HELP SKILLS

Dressing and undressing
Buttoning and unbuttoning large buttons
Zipping up zippers with help
Washing and drying hands
Taking care of personal items and putting them away
Blowing nose when reminded.

PHYSICAL ASPECT

We are developing skills, coordination and team spirit by:

Participating in gym activities
Following game directions
Running and jumping in the gym safely
Riding tricycles
Responding to commands that is given to the body. (Running, hopping, twisting, relaxing, stopping, rolling)
Balancing on one foot
Throwing balls or beanbags overhead overhead
Catching bouncing balls
Sitting on a chair
Moving and dancing to music
Participating in obstacle courses
Balancing a beanbag on head
Kicking a ball with one foot

ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE

We are developing an awareness of nature

Observing of seasons and weather
Playing outdoors as a group
Participating in experiments

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

We are developing eye hand coordination and small muscle control by:

Using child scissors and cutting on a line,pieces of paper and round simple shapes
Holding a pencil properly
Drawing and copying simple shapes as circles
Coloring
Manipulating clay materials
Pasting or gluing materials and encouraging creativity
Manipulating connect toys
Playing in sand and water
Painting with wrists movements
Pouring well from a small container
Building towers with several blocks.
Lacing, stringing, and beading

COGNITIVE ASPECT

We are promoting knowledge, memory and teaching concepts
Exploring perceptual growth ex: activities using the 5 senses
Encouraging curiosity and imagination
Recognize and naming shapes and colors and matching them as well
Learning simple time concepts such as class routines
Learning spatial awareness: up, down, more, less, same, different
Learning pre-math concepts (how many is 3, shapes and size)

LANGUAGE

Developing language skills though books, singing and finger plays
Introducing a second language
Carrying out a series of two to four related directions
Asking questions for information
Repeating and speaking new words
Answering questions
Observing and Listening
Using good pronunciation
Listening at stories time

SOCIAL ASPECT

We are developing social competence and working on interpersonal relationships by:

Greeting others upon arrival and learning each other’s names.
Making eye contact when speaking.
Playing with friends (3 or more) for a short period.
Saying please and thank you.
Participating in group activities like circle time, show and tell…
Initiating play with others by sharing toys and space.
Respecting peers and their boundaries.
Taking turns and waiting their turn.
Learning simple negotiation skills.
Encouraging problem solving.
Demonstrating empathy and help others when needed.
Moving with the group within school areas in an orderly fashion.

EMOTIONAL ASPECT

We are achieving emotional competency and developing a sense of self:

Learning to adapt to a school setting in harmony.
Developing a good self-esteem in attitudes, values, spirit, character and health.
Following class routines.
Learning to control impulses.
Showing initiative and perseverance (trying things on their own).
Showing flexibility.
Identifying feelings, ideas and sharing them
Developing personal pride by completing a project, activity or task.
Carrying out class responsibilities such as passing snack, cleaning up, tidying up toys…
Respecting materials and belongings.
Asserting self by being able to say “yes”, “no”, “Come here” or “I don’t like that!” or “I need…”
Applying ourself (taking the time to do it to the best of their abilities)

SELF HELP SKILLS

Dressing and undressing.
Buttoning and unbuttoning.
Zipping up zippers.
Washing and drying hands.
Taking care of personal items (hanging winter cloths on hook).
Blowing nose on own initiative.

PHYSICAL ASPECT

We are developing physical skills, group participation and achieving physical fitness:

Enhancing body and space perceptions (right and left sides).
Practicing relaxation techniques (yoga).
Improving balancing skills and visual motor coordination (walking on a balance beam, kicking, catching and throwing).
Running and jumping in the gym safely as a group.
Responding to commands (cues such as run, stop, roll, hop, gallop…)
Riding tricycles.
Throwing balls or beanbags overhead.
Catching a bouncing ball or in the air.
Sitting on a chair.
Walking up and down the stairs safely.
Moving to rhythm and dancing to music.
Participating in obstacle courses.
Kicking a ball with one foot towards a net.

ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE

We are developing an awareness of nature and a sense of responsibility for the environment:(ecology, life science and botany)

Recycling paper, putting our trash in the garbage.
Learning about the seasons and growing things. (planting seeds)
Introducing life cycles (frogs and butterflies), time, measurement, and weather watch.
Observing and charting seasons and weather.
Playing outdoors as a group.
Participating in experiments (full, empty, hot, cold, smooth, rough).

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

We are developing eye hand coordination and small muscle control by:

Holding a pencil properly.
Writing name, drawing representations and figures, copying numbers and letters.
Painting or drawing a silhouette with details.
Tracing around or inside shapes.
Copying or drawing shapes or letters from a model.
Using child scissors and cutting on a line, on a curved line, pieces of paper and around simple shapes.
Coloring simple pictures and staying within the limits.
Manipulating clay materials and connect toys.
Pasting or gluing materials and encouraging creativity.
Playing in sand and water.
Painting with small wrists movements.
Pouring well from a small container.
Building towers and buildings with several blocks.
Lacing, stringing, and beading.

COGNITIVE ASPECT

Increasing knowledge and intellectual competence, helping children learn to think by themselves.

Encouraging curiosity and imagination.
Developing an interest and appreciation to art.
Promoting the enjoyment and experience of music.
Exploring perceptual growth ex: activities using the 5 senses like differentiation of sounds (animal bingo).
Enhancing memory skills (identifying missing objects).

ACADEMIC COMPETENCES

Recognizing naming and matching shapes and colors (pre geometry).
Finding them in every day life(signs).
Learning spatial awareness: up, down, front, back, next to…
Writing their name from left to right.
Learning pre-math concepts (quantities: full, empty, more, less), size and sequences.
Understanding and use of numbers (counting by rote).
Counting in English and French and beginning of addition.
Identifying and naming letters and numbers recognition (ex. learning their address).
Writing letters of the alphabet and own name.

LANGUAGE / COMMUNICATION

Encouraging emotional expression with words.
Introducing a second language.
Asking questions for information.
Repeating and speaking new words.
Answering questions.
Observing and listening.
Using good pronunciation.
Paying attention at story time.
Carrying out a series of two to four related directions.
Developing sense of listening.(instructions, facts and remembering)
Developing language skills though books, singing and finger play.

Our Immersion program is an excellent opportunity to introduce your child to a second language at an early age when the ability to assimilate new sounds and vocabulary are at a high level. The skills taught include: listening, following directions, pronunciation, memory, self-expression, pre-reading and the ability to link sounds to their source.

ATTITUDE

Feeling comfortable in the classroom setting and with the educator
Observing, remembering and listening to instructions and facts
Developing language skills with books and through singing and finger plays
Paying attention during story time
Showing interest in other’s conversation
Participating during circle time and engaging in dramatic play

COMPREHENSION

Carrying out simple instructions
Recognizing everyday words and phrases (related to themes or actions)
Responding to verbal instructions with actions
Linking sounds to their source
Learning poems and nursery rhymes

EXPRESSION

Expressing emotions with words
Asking questions for information
Repeating and speaking social words “Please”, “Excuse me”
Responding to simple “Yes” and “No” questions
Using good pronunciation
Naming pictures and symbols
Singing familiar songs or chants
Exprimer des besoins ou désirs : “Passe-moi la collation, s’il vous plaît”
Calling friends by their name and greeting others
Delivering simple messages

Testimonials

WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT US

My five children were beautifully prepared for bilingual kindergarten. The children at Royaume are nurtured and received instruction from extremely qualified early childhood educators. Nathalie

Royaume des enfants offers a warm and nurturing environment. The teachers have been part of the school for many years and it shows in the quality of their programs. My children have lively conversations about what they’ve learned and done at the Royaume. Amazingly, every new day is more exciting than the last. It has truly been a blessing to find such a wonderful place where my children can learn and grow. It’s no wonder the school has been around for 30 years!
Pamela

So far, I’ve sent 3 of my children to the Royaume des Enfants, and I can’t wait to send my 4th child next year as well! I’ve had only great experiences with this fantastic bilingual nursery school! The teachers are very warm and experienced, which really introduces the school system in such a positive way! My children are all different, some are more reserved than the others, but by the time they reached kindergarten, they loved learning and going to school! I can thank the excellent program and staff of the Royaume for this! Moreover, their bilingual program made my children start kindergarten without any difficulty in French, even though we are more Anglophone at home! I love this school that is so warm for our little fragile sponges!
Daphne, mother of 4

My three and a half year old daughter is currently attending her 2nd year at the Royaume des Enfants Preschool. I was referred to this wonderful place by a fellow mom whose two children were lucky enough to have received their preschool education at Royaume and who literally raved about it. She spoke of a structured yet nurturing environment, with genuinely enthusiastic and dynamic teachers. I must say that everything she said was absolutely true and I now have even more to add to the list of attributes of this fine preschool. I must begin with the teachers, whose dedication to the well-being and development of each child is both impressive and heart-warming. They are creative, engaging and always inspired. Each teacher has clearly been meticulously chosen by Diane Kirschner (head of school for the last 25+ years, whose own enthusiasm for her work has clearly never waned), as the embodiment of the school’s child-centered philosophy of early education. Next I must speak of the school programs, which are detailed for the parents with a view to ensuring every aspect of your child’s development. The teachers are always available to discuss your child’s needs, progress and general well-being. I have complete confidence and peace of mind knowing that my daughter is growing and thriving in this exceptional environment. As if this weren’t enough, their extra-curricular activities include a ‘green thumbs’ class, a cooking class and yoga class, among others, all of which my daughter wants to sample. It’s no wonder she heads off to school every morning with a great big smile on her face, as do I.Lydia

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