CURRICULUM GOALS
Our first goal at Dixon Cooperative
Nursery School is to provide for the physical comfort and safety of the
children in our care. To that end, we have planned an environment which
is stimulating, yet minimizes any physical hazards that might be encountered
by young children.
Our second goal is to provide for the emotional and social needs of the
child. We assist children with separation problems, and show them new
ways to work out disputes in constructive ways. Children learn how to
cooperate and share, take turns and make choices. They learn how to verbalize
their feelings, defend their rights, and respect the rights of others.
Overall, the staff and parents work to help the children at DCNS develop
initiative, leadership and self-respect, while sharing open, happy relationships
with other children and adults.
Our third goal is to provide age-appropriate activities that allow a child
to discover and explore at this own pace, not the teacher's. We try to
give children varied opportunities to do and experience things through
hands-on activities. Children construct with blocks and knock them down,
pour and measure sand, sort and classify objects, roll cans and see where
they stop, mold clay, try on fire fighter's boots and hats, build rockets
with Legos, explore nature and the world around them and much more. They
are also allowed to try and fail and try again, learning to feel good
about their failures as well as successes.
A wide variety of material and activities are provided for each child
to explore: climbing structures and large hollow blocks for large muscles;
puzzles and manipulatives for small muscles and coordination; a housekeeping
and block area for dramatic play; musical instruments, arts and crafts
for emotional release and creativity. We also offer cooking projects,
field trips and interesting visitors to broaden the base of each child's
experiences.
Our hope is that when a child goes on to kindergarten she/he will have
these basics:
- A strong self-concept.
- Has learned to cooperate and take turns.
- She/he has developed listening skills and has learned how to problem solve and make choices.
- Takes initiative in exploring things of interest.
- Respects self and others.
- Sees relationships between objects and events and notices similarities and differences.
- She/he is encouraged and excited toward learning.