French Introductory Program

Our Lady of Fatima offers a typical Pre-Kindergarten program with the added bonus of an introduction to French to 3 and 4 year olds. Children who complete our program will be prepared for a French Immersion or an English kindergarten program.

Although French is formally introduced at "circle", this is not a French Immersion Program.

Each month parents receive a calendar and newsletter. On the right side of the calendars parents will find a short list of French words and colour names with their translation. These words will be introduced at circle for that month and casually throughout the session. The children are not required to memorize these words. Parent are encouraged to learn along with their child but always to keep it a light and fun to do learning activity. Please check with the teacher about proper French pronunciations if you are not sure.

Methodology
A French box is introduced holding visual objects and pictures that are shown to the children. The teacher asks what the articles are, what colour, how many and what form or shape they have. The children become familiar with a group of questions. The choice of articles is made interesting and the children anticipate what will come out of the French box and who will remember the answers. There is no pressure on children having to know the answer. We keep it fun and in time, they absorb the knowledge.

We also count the children who are present, do the weather report, and sing some songs in French. English songs are also introduced and presentations are in English.

Simple commands such as stand up, sit down, jump, call for circle, are easily translated in body language or spoken in French.

 

Religion Program

We introduce a religion program for 4-year olds called; "God Made the World" in the Christ Our Life Series which is the same series used at Our Lady of Fatima School. The program curriculum is based on mostly basic Christian beliefs and works well with other beliefs.

New lessons are introduced at a rate of 2 to 3 per month.

The lessons take place during circle. Throughout the week many activities associated with the lessons will be introduced as reinforcement. The children will come home with activities provided by the Christ Our Life Series: "God Made the World". An activity book is required and paid by the parents. The children's catechism workbook is to be paid by the date given in the designation letter parents received in June.

 

Program Philosophy

Our programming is age appropriate, play based and planned for the success of each child. Discipline issues that occur are dealt with in such a manner as to preserve self-esteem. Our guidance deals with helping a child to become socially adept. We believe that once a child can successfully enter a group and initiate activities as well as take direction from others, he or she will experience success in many other areas of learning. This will help him or her to be a part of the community.

In our program, we strive for open-ended activities that are tailored to each child's developmental age. This approach ensures a sense of achievement for all children. The process is valued rather than the product. We respect and appreciate each child's efforts. Boosting self-esteem and providing opportunities for our children to continue to become self confident, eager learners is our aim at Fatima Pre-Kindergarten.

We look forward to working together with you to achieve this goal to help each child become an individual who learns to live and lives to learn.

 

Program description and schedules

Routines
A typical day at Pre-K consists of the following:

	½ hour of free play
	½ hour circle
	½ hour art/free play
	½ hour for clean up, bathroom routine and snack time
	15 minutes for quiet reading and music while sitting on mats and
	15 minutes for story time

Our routine changes when we go on field trips, have visitor presentations, do cooking or have a special celebration.

Gradual Entry
On the first day of school the Tuesday and Thursday classes are divided into two groups. The second day of school, the whole class comes for the full 2 ½ hours. From then on all students attend two days a week for the full 2 ½ hours.

During the first week of school the Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes are divided into two groups. The 4-year classes are split into two groups. Half the class comes on the first day of school and the other half comes on the second day. The whole class comes for the full 2 ½ hours on the 3rd day. From then on, the full class attends three days a week for the full 2 ½ hour sessions.

 

Guidance and Discipline Policy

Our goal is to turn negative situations into positive learning experiences. We structure the program, setting and rules to reduce the occasions where disciplining may be required. We try to anticipate the children's needs and constantly survey the activities but occasionally we need to offer direct guidance. Our first course of action is to talk out the situation with the child and/or redirect the child into another activity. This is often sufficient to resolve any issue.

If further discipline is required, he or she is taken aside and given an activity that interests the child. When the child is ready to play or participate in a positive manner with other children, he or she is allowed to re-enter into group play. If the child is not ready to resume the activity peacefully with others, (it's their choice), he or she is asked to let the teachers know when they are ready.

Children are excepted to participate at circle, music time and story time.

We always inform parents if there are any notable problems during a session and actively seek your opinion in choosing the best course of action if discipline problems persist.

 

Program Evaluation Policy

We evaluate our program at Fatima on an ongoing basis. We constantly give each other feedback on quality, effectiveness and developmental appropriateness of the activities. We also get feedback from our contacts at Douglas College as we participate in evaluating Practicum students. Both teachers subscribe to current Early Childhood Educators Professional magazines, attend the annual Early Childhood Education Conference, the Catholic Teachers Conference and various workshops offered in the community. We are also open to comments from the parents.

Some very positive improvements to the program have come about due to the collaboration of the parents and teachers.