The Early Learning Center at MTCS provides PK3 (pre-kindergarten for 3-year-old children) and PK4 (pre-kindergarten for 4-year-old and some 5-year-old children). Both programs teach a Christ-centered curriculum in a fun environment, preparing students for kindergarten and the world beyond.
PK3 Curriculum
Our PK3 program teaches a healthy balance of skills that promote the development of a 3-year-old child’s spirit, mind and social responsibility. Our teachers present the curriculum through fun, playful activities that incorporate a variety of learning styles. This creates a learning environment that allows students to grow and mature socially and establish a strong academic foundation.
Bible
Each day, students are read Bible stories from The Beginners Bible, published by Zondervan. This sequential collection of Old and New Testament stories is the foundation for our activities, songs, role-playing and other experiences teaching students Christian principles that can be applied to their daily lives.
Language Arts
We use Reading Street by Scott Foresman to provide students developmentally appropriate activities that launch them into the world of reading. It introduces them to skills that expand their speech, listening/pre-reading, letter knowledge and overall cognitive development. We also introduce students to print literature, Bible stories, poems and songs; and we encourage them to express themselves through dramatic play as they grow socially and emotionally.
Math
We leverage the love children have for discovery to promote the exploration of mathematical concepts that help develop their number recognition and counting skills. Using a large variety of hands-on items, children can engage in dynamic math games and projects. Our teachers also establish daily routines, such as singing calendar songs and calendar skills that allow for repetition and enrichment of math skills.
Social Studies
Through literature and activities, we help students explore the special places and people of this world wonderful that God created.
Science
Children love to experiment, proving that it’s never too early to have fun being a scientist. Our teachers encourage and create hands-on activities that foster their exploration. Whether planting a seed and watching it grow or witnessing first-hand the life cycle of a butterfly, our students get to see and live God’s creations.
Pre-Handwriting
There is no reason for children to wait until kindergarten to start learning the skills they need to write. Our teachers provide activities to develop fine motor skills. Play-Doh, clay, markers, crayons, and sand are used to strengthen muscles in the hands and fingers. Students also have fun writing on a variety of materials.
Art
We encourage students to look at the world around them and observe the amazing palette of colors, lines, and shapes that God, the master artist, incorporated in our world. Through a weekly art class, students use various materials to learn the elements of design.
Music
Just like King David, our students learn to express themselves through music and song. During chapel and in our classrooms, we learn and sing Bible songs to share God’s word. A bi-weekly music class teaches children about rhythm and melody of song. They have fun clapping and stomping to the beat and learning about different types of instruments.
Centered Learning
Everyone loves opportunities for hands-on learning and by providing opportunities to work together in small groups, children can take charge of their own learning through exploration and creativity. Small group collaboration encourages socialization, self-esteem growth, and offers a chance for children to express themselves while learning new information.
PK4 Curriculum
Our PK4 program is designed to stimulate the developmental milestones of 4 year olds. At this age, children are energetic, curious, learning to be independent and building their brainpower. Our curriculum is designed to help students develop lasting life skills and sharpen social skills and gross and fine motor skills by immersing them in a multitude of experiences.
Bible
Each day, students are read Bible stories from The Beginners Bible, published by Zondervan. This sequential collection of Old and New Testament stories is the foundation for our activities, songs, role-playing and other experiences teaching students Christian principles that can be applied to their daily lives.
Pre-Reading and Language Arts
Happily Ever After by the Rowland Reading Foundation is a reading readiness program with classic children’s literature at heart. This curriculum provides students with the skills they need to learn to read and to be successful in school. Each unit of study teaches a color and a shape; vocabulary and concepts essential to literacy; an auditory discrimination or phonological awareness skill; print and book awareness and fine motor skills. Each unit reviews previously taught skills and concepts so that by the end of the readiness level, children have a strong foundation for success when they receive reading instruction.
Math
My Math-PreKindergarten by McGraw-Hill gives preschoolers hands-on experience with meaningful, rigorous mathematical skills. They learn number core, comparison concepts, addition and subtraction strategies, measuring attributes and patterning. These skills apply to their everyday lives and are essential to their basic academic foundation that will carry them through kindergarten to high school algebra and beyond.
Social Studies
Children are naturally curious about the world around them and their immediate environment. In our daily reading of God’s word, we examine and discuss the world God made. Through our Social Studies units, we incorporate those theologies and teach about national holidays, famous people in U.S. history, and how the experience within their family, school and community differs from that of people in other countries and other times.
Science
Preschool-age children learn best by being involved. That’s why we teach science concepts through observation and hands-on experimentation. In our PK4 curriculum, we introduce concepts like plants, animals and their life cycles; seasons and weather; and the human body.
Pre-Handwriting
It’s never too early to start building skills for good handwriting habits. Our teachers establish a 15-minute daily routine that focuses on strengthening fine motor skill development. Our Pre-Reading/Language Arts curriculum, Happily Ever After, incorporates hands-on activities and multisensory teaching strategies that increase these skills.
Art
We encourage our students to look at the world around them and observe the amazing palette of colors, lines and shapes that God, the master artist, incorporated in our world. Through a weekly Art class, students use various materials to learn the elements of design.
Music
Just like King David, our students learn to express themselves through music and song. During Chapel and in our classrooms, we learn and sing Bible songs to share God’s word. A bi-weekly Music class teaches children about rhythm and melody of song. They have fun clapping and stomping to the beat and learning about different types of instruments.
Centered Learning
Everyone loves opportunities for hands-on learning and by providing opportunities to work together in small groups, children can take charge of their own learning through exploration and creativity. Small group collaboration encourages socialization, self-esteem growth, and offers a chance for children to express themselves while learning new information.
