The Pre-Kindergarten program at Saint Bridget School is designed to create a safe, caring, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment.  Our curriculum is designed to foster the academic, social, emotional, and physical growth of each child at the beginning stages of their formal education.

Children are taught religion, reading readiness, mathematics, science, and social studies through group lessons, center-based activities, as well as individual practice. We have half and full day options available.

• Half Day (7:40 am to 11:00 am)
• Full Day (7:40 am to 2:00 pm)
• After school care until 6:00 pm (prices for 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm pick up)

Religion

In learning about our Catholic faith community, the children receive daily reminders that we are all God’s children and we are all special.  We also teach that God created the world, animals, and all people.  To help reinforce these concepts, we use Sadlier’s Discovering God’s World program.  In addition, the children:

• Participate in daily prayer as part of the school community
• Attend Mass once a week with the help of 5th grade church buddies.
• Listen to stories and songs about key virtues in our Catholic faith (ex: kindness, compassion, empathy, respect).

Reading Readiness

Our reading readiness curriculum helps the children build a solid foundation for learning to read and write.  We aim to develop an awareness of letters and their sounds.  Daily stories are used to assist in building vocabulary as well as enhancing a child’s love of reading.  In addition to stories, children experience the following reading readiness experiences:

• Letter of the Week Activities (games, crafts, writing practice, etc.)
• Poetry and Reading Response Journals

Mathematics

Children in Pre-K strengthen and learn new mathematical concepts.  Many of the foundations for mathematics at this age level are formed out of experience with real objects.  In addition to structured learning, children are able to explore and learn through play.  We focus on counting, number recognition and formation, sorting, shapes, and patterns through the use of:

• Manipulatives and Games
• Math Journals
• Puzzles
• Calendar

Social Studies

Our social studies curriculum is designed to teach appreciation and understanding about our local communities and our country, the United States of America.  We discuss what makes a community and who we see in our local community.  The children learn about holidays that are celebrated across the country.  In addition, they experience:

• Daily Pledge of Allegiance
• Visits from Community Helpers
• “My Big World” Scholastic Magazines

In addition to the core academic curriculum, the children in Pre-K take part in weekly Art, Music, Library, and Physical Education classes.

Science

The children are introduced to Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science through our curriculum. They learn about living and nonliving organisms, weather, life cycles of plants and animals, as well as properties and movement of objects.  This learning takes place through discussion, non-fiction texts, and hands-on activities.

The children in Pre-K experience:

• Field Trips
• Hands-on Activities and Simple Experiments
• “My Big World” Scholastic Magazines

Beyond the Academics

In addition to the core academic curriculum, the children in Pre-K have the opportunity to take part in weekly Art, Performing Arts (Music), Library, and Physical Education classes.

Fine and gross motor skills are developing at this age and we work to strengthen these skills.  These are important because they help with pencil grasp, cutting, drawing, writing, and body control for sitting, running, jumping, and skipping.

We teach and reinforce social skills such as taking turns both in academic and social situations, using appropriate means during play, working in groups without distracting others, and listening and following directions.