Transitional Kindergarten Program
Tall Pines is pleased to offer an exciting new program for children who meet the age requirements but are not quite ready to enter kindergarten. Our Transitional Kindergarten Program bridges the path between preschool and kindergarten and gives families an additional option to ensure their children enter kindergarten with the maturity, confidence and skills they need to excel. TK provides the gift of time that will help students build a strong foundation for success in elementary school.
Our Morning class begins at 9am - 12pm
Our Afternoon Class begins at 12pm - 3pm.
Transitional Kindergarten is a program that:
• provides children the gift of time to learn skills that will help them build a strong foundation for success in elementary school.
• serves as a bridge between Preschool and Kindergarten giving children more time for hands-on, interactive learning.
• gives children the opportunity to spend time learning important social, emotional and academic skills that will help them succeed in Kindergarten and beyond.
• Our daily transitional kindergarten schedule includes whole group instruction and activities, small group instruction, independent and "hands-on" learning. The Transitional Kindergartners enjoy snack and recess with their class and participate in activities such as music, art, and motor skills development.
The teachers provide individualized instruction by observing each child's growth patterns, learning style, and personality and adjusting her interactions & lessons as needed. Children are encouraged to explore, gain information and master new skills through real life situations and hands-on activities within learning centers and teacher directed lessons. The teacher will add to the learning experience by asking open ended questions, adding materials to further the child's involvement, and interacting in a way that promotes the development of problem solving and social skills.
A session at the Tall Pines Kindergarten Enrichment class generally progresses as follows. The times for outdoorand gym play may vary so that each class can be assured ample time and room on the playground.
The morning session follows the same typical schedule but is from 9am-12pm
- Free play /Outdoor (motor & social skills, indirect learning) 12:00pm – 1:00pm
- Group discussion (verbal, social, & cognitive skills): Calendar, pledge, song, use of instruments. Story to tie in with project. 1:00pm – 1:15pm
- Project - directed lesson (cognitive, fine motor, listening skills): Relates to a specific skill or concept, holiday, or season. The activity allows the child to use his or her own imagination/creativity. 1:15pm – 2:00pm
- Exercise through obstacle course; or indoor gym/ outdoor play (gross motor, social skills) 2:00pm – 2:25pm
- Literature (verbal, comprehension, listening skills) 2:25pm – 2:45pm
- Snack 2:45pm – 3:00pm
Children have access to our computer at all times.
Our curriculum is enriched by guest presentations (e.g. a visit from a pediatric dentist highlights our dental hygiene unit). Seasonal events include fire safety week with a visit by our fire dept.; activities such as observing the formation of a butterfly.
Informative newsletters are distributed monthly.