Curriculum Summary

It is the goal of the Three Year Old Program at St. Matthew’s to provide an environment that encourages each child to grow and mature physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and cognitively.

Teachers provide an enriching curriculum based on thematic units including topics
such as;  All About Me, Sound & Music, Fire Safety, Farm, Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Winter, Nursery Rhymes & Fairy Tales, Occupations, Transportation, Animal Homes, Circus and Summer Fun.

Promoting Physical Development involves the use and coordination of both fine motor and gross motor muscle groups.  Physical fitness is directly related to a child’s positive sense of self and confidence.  St. Matthew’s provides a safe environment in which children can move their bodies indoors and outdoors, and have fun.  The daily schedule allows time to work large and small muscle groups incorporating all the child’s senses to help coordinate their movements while encouraging individual goals.

Social Development is a primary focus area in the three year old program.  Play is children’s work, whether it is solitary, parallel or cooperative.  St. Matthew’s encourages children to express their feelings and understand and respect others by identifying pro-social skills.  Children will learn by playing and talking with peers, and by adult guided group play.  The classrooms provide various areas for a variety of play scenarios, i.e.: individual, small group, dramatic play or observation.  The daily schedule balances time between structured and free choice play.

Promoting Emotional Development involves recognizing and understanding a child’s individual characteristics.  Respect of a child’s unique qualities is the foundation for building self esteem.  St. Matthew’s promotes a positive sense of self in the child by encouraging them to explore, solve problems and do things for themselves.  The routines during the day encourage children’s involvement building a sense of community and independence in the classroom.

Cognitive Development is the process of learning to think and reason.  Children need to construct knowledge of the world around them by exploring, testing and making discoveries using all their senses.  The process helps to reinforce what they know and sometimes changes their ideas, by building a clearer picture of the world around them.  St.  Matthew’s promotes this process through play in the classroom with various areas to question and challenge ideas.

Spiritual Development of a child at St. Matthew’s is created by an environment of loving caring individuals teaching God’s love and creation of us all.

The Three Year Old program is a place that fosters positive social growth, encourages critical thinking skills and promotes curiosity of the world.