Goals for 2 & 3 Year Old Children

It is the goal of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Preschool that children have many learning experiences that will help them to develop skills in the following areas:

Religion

• Recognize God as the creator of all things
• Know that God loves them always
• Recognize the Bible as God's Word
• Realize that God gives us all that we need in people and things
• Identify Jesus as God and their best friend
• Join in worship activities such as prayer, songs, and spontaneous praise
• Know that they can talk to God through prayer and that He will hear them
• Retell Bible stories,especially the Christmas and Easter stories
• Show respect and forgiveness

Math

• Rote count to 10 (verbally count without recognition)
• Count 10 objects using one-to-one correspondence
• Visually label 1-3 objects with the correct amount
• Point to, label, and match basic shapes
• Sort objects into 2 given categories
• Understand concepts of full/empty
• Understand concepts of big/little; tall/short
• Understand the concept of heavy/light
• Label small, medium, large

Science

• Enjoy science experiences
• Exercise curiosity and the need to investigate
• Demonstrate the use of the 5 senses
• Describe weather and environment during seasons
• Understand that there are many kinds of animals
• Understand that animals move in different ways
• Understand that seeds grow into plants with roots, stems, leaves, and flowers
• Understand that seeds need water, sun, and soil to grow
• Realize that air is everywhere
• Understand concepts of hard/soft; hot/cold; wet/dry
• Experience science through cooking

Music

• Clap a beat with the teacher/leader
• Enjoy creating movement to music
• Perform finger plays
• Echo simple/short patterns using body percussion:  clapping, stamping, or patsching (hitting hands to thighs)
• Sing short, simple songs including hymns, carols, and folk songs
• Participate in singing games
• Imitate sounds with the voice
• Experiment with various sounds

Social Studies

• Understand that self and others change
• Understand that they have feelings, needs, unique and common physical characteristics, abilities, and skills
• Begin to develop a positive self-esteem
• Understand that people are alike and different in how they look and feel
• Use words to tell someone how they feel
• Learn to think of others, expanding from a feeling of "me-ness" to "other-ness"
• Help other people
• Become responsible, self-directed individuals who are able to function in a group
• Follow rules
• Understand that rules are made to help them get along with others and to stay safe
• Follow directions from the teacher
• Listen to others without interruption
• Use social courtesies such as "please" and "thank you"
• Begin to learn the give and take of play
• Expand imagination through dramatic play
• Dramatize a simple story
• Gain an initial understanding of other people's roles in their lives-family members, church helpers, and community helpers
• Experience the community through field trips
• Describe activities related to the seasons