Early Childhood Learning Center
Immaculate Conception’s Early Childhood Learning Center offers a full time or part time (M, W, F) option. It follows the same academic calendar and school hours as our K-8 program. Children must be 3 years old by August 1st of the enrollment year and potty trained.
ECLC Goals & Values
The goal of our preschool is to provide a Christian atmosphere in which children are given the opportunities to:
- Form a close relationship with God
- Enhance their understanding of self
- Learn to work cooperatively with others
- Develop their intellectual & physical development
We value and are committed to:
- Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each person
- Appreciating childhood as a unique & valuable stage of the human life cycle
- Basing our work on knowledge of child development
- Valuing children’s play as their means for translating experiences into understanding
- Appreciating & supporting close ties between the child and family
- Helping parents locate resources that will aid them in serving the needs of their family
ECLC Curriculum
Children explore the following concepts, but are not required to master all of them before entering Kindergarten. They learn these concepts at their own pace and are taught with hands-on materials, songs, and educational workbooks. Parents are asked to reinforce learning goals at home as well.
Religion
- Learn about God’s Love
- Listen to stories of the life of Jesus
- Learn Jesus’ teachings to love God and love others
Math
- Numerals 1-20
- Counting objects to 20
- One-to-one correspondence of objects
- Sorting by various attributes: color, shape, size
- Sizes: small, medium, large
- Shapes: square, rectangle, circle, triangle, oval, star, heart, & diamond
Literacy
- Exposure to alphabet: letter names and sounds
- Recognize, spell, write first name
- Hold a pencil, marker, crayon correctly
- Answer questions about stories
- Build new vocabulary
- Build listening skills
Science
- Explore science tools: magnets, prisms, magnifying glasses, etc.
- Experience the world through nature walks and other explorations
- Observe plant growth
- Observe weather and plant life during each season
- Identify basic colors and explore color mixing
- Explore the world with the five senses
- Investigate animals, the homes they live in, the food they eat
Creative Arts
- Explore a variety of art processes: painting, drawing, collage, print making, etc.
- Use a variety of art materials: crayons, tempera paint, watercolor paint, colored pencils, markers, oil pastels
- Experiment with mixing paint colors
- Sing traditional songs and songs that enhance the curriculum
- Participate in movement songs and dances
- Use scarves, rhythm sticks, and bean bags to practice rhythms
- Use a variety of children’s instruments
- Participate in dramatic play
- Dramatize familiar stories
- Act out the movements and sounds of animals
Social Skills
- Practice problem-solving skills in social situations
- Share classroom materials with the group
- Practice using manners: please, thank you, excuse me, table manners
- Communicate his/her needs
- Take care of his/her own basic needs: clean up, fasten clothing, use tissue as needed, use restroom independently, zip coat, etc.
- State personal information: first and last name, age, school name, city, state, country
- Explore types of work and workers
- Explore modes of transportation
- Participate in projects to help others in need
Technology
- Use a computer mouse: click, click and drag
- Use the Internet to explore kid-friendly websites
- Use the Promethean Board during large group and center time
