Week 1 - Orchestra
Music plays an important role in our culture. Instruments, music and art represent cultural perspectives of the home and the community both now and in the past. By exploring musical instruments, children hear sounds, tones and learn to communicate without words. We can listen to music or create our own by playing an instrument. Moreover, music helps both the body and mind develop. For example, when children sing they can learn the sounds and meaning of language. When children dance to music, they build and develop their motor skills. Music can also make children feel a range of emotions such as happy, calm, sleepy or energized. By exploring musical instruments, children are able to listen to sounds instead of words.   

Letter: Pp. Phonic Words: pig, penguin, piano. Basic Concepts: green, rectangle, brave.

Week 2 - Outdoor Sights & Sounds
The natural world is full of interesting sights and sounds. When children use their senses to gather information they develop observation and inquiry skills. While using their senses, they learn about a animals and plants and start to make sense of the world around them. For example, by experimenting with ice or listening to sounds in nature, children become curious and start to wonder. A simple way to help children engage their observational skills is by playing outside and exploring colors, movement, textures, sounds and smells. Teachers can help facilitate this by giving children a variety of opportunities outdoors to explore, investigate and share their discoveries.

Letter: Bb. Phonic Words: bear, bell, bird.

Week 3 - Indoor Sights & Sounds
When children are banging on pots and pans or smelling cookies, they are engaging in sensory play. During this process, children stimulate their senses, which helps build nerve connections in their brain. This is important because children can retain more information and have a deeper understanding of what they are learning by engaging their senses. Teachers can give children a sensory-rich environment by planning different experiences indoors and outdoors throughout the day. When children are engaged in these sensory activities, they are examining, discovering, categorizing and making sense of the world.   

Letter: Oo. Phonic Words: owl, orange, octopus.

Week 4 - Light & Dark
Preschool age children learn best by doing. For this reason, it is important to focus science activities around things they they can see, hear, touch, taste and smell. For example, children can learn how a shadow is made by exploring outside and finding their own shadow. The early years of a child's life are a wonderful time to develop curiosity and a love for science. Science is important because it is a part of our daily life. Understanding science helps children appreciate and relate to the world around them. We can support our children by providing hands-on experiences, encouraging curiosity and prompting them with open-ended questions. By asking children questions, they can begin to make connections with their prior knowledge and experiences. 

Letters: Pp, Bb, Oo. Phonic Words: pig, penguin, piano, bear, bell, bird, owl, orange, octopus.

      


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