Specials
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Feelings Rock with Miss Katie!
Our weekly musical activities are taught by Miss Katie using the Feelings Rock program. The activities and songs Miss Katie shares focus on enhancing social, motor, language and cognitive skills. Music is a powerful tool for early childhood education because it activates all areas of the brain. Through music, we can facilitate the development of the whole child, not just the musician. Music time with Miss Katie includes singing with her sidekicks, Rocky and Jazz, tapping rhythm sticks, dancing, jumping, and moving!
Zumba/Acro
Zumba Kids/Acro classes feature kid-friendly routines based on original Zumba choreography. The steps are broken down and adapted to age appropriate elements, as well as adds games, activities and cultural explorations into the class structure.
This class helps to develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of children's lives by making fitness fun. Classes also incorporate key childhood developmental elements like leadership, respect, team work, confidence, self-esteem, memory, creativity, coordination, and cultural awareness.
This class is geared toward the young pre-school child. Activities will help in developing rhythms, hopping, skipping, jumping, directions, and an overall improvement in motor skills and social skills. Beginning tumbling will also be incorporated into the class. Having fun in a safe and structured environment is a great way to learn!
Classes will be taught by Miss Kayla who currently owns the Grand Island Dance Studio. She not only has a degree in teaching dance but is also a certified instructor of Zumba, Zumba Gold, and Zumbatonics. To see more of what Grand Island Dance has to offer you can visit the site at:
Library
Preschoolers in the 3-5 year old classes will have the opportunity to visit the Grand Island Memorial Library! Your child will learn about the library, listen to stories and check out a book each week! Throughout the year, volunteer readers will come in to read to the children!
We are very fortunate to have the Children's librarian, Miss Carly Spatar, come and visit us at the preschool once a month. During library time, we will read stories, sing songs, and play games, and make crafts!
Route to the Library: ( Weather Permitting)
Walking a short distance down Bedell, crossing over to Jamestown, through Old Carriage.
Art
Art classes will be taught by Miss Bonnie, a dedicated art teacher who holds a Bachelors Degree from Mansfield University. Miss Bonnie is also one of the owners and founders of the wonderful Orange Poppy Art Studio right here on Grand Island! Miss Bonnie encourages children to be confident in the work that they create. Teaching art at such a young age is important in the development of the child to be able to further explore their communication and creative expression. During these classes, children will use many different techniques to create several different types of art. Each project will work on fine motor skills, experiment with new tools/materials, and explore the many various elements of art (texture, value, color, etc.). So lets get messy and have fun!
Multimedia
Children are motivated to learn when they can interact with hands-on learning tools. Through the use of newspapers, magazines (High Five, Scholastic: My Big World), and iPads, the children can learn at their own pace and be successful within small group settings. The use of multimedia in the classroom with help to prepare your kiddos for the future!
SPCA Paws for Love Therapy Dogs
In collaboration with the SPCA program “Paws for Love” a therapy dog will visit our school periodically throughout the school year. This collaboration will give the students a unique experience learning how to care for and interact appropriately with animals. For students who may have trouble regulating emotions, developing coping skills, or interacting with peers the use of a therapy dog has been shown to aid in developing these skills.
Social Skills
In preschool, one of the most important skills that your child will learn is how to interact appropriately with others. Through our social skills class, your child will learn to share, take turns, be polite and kind, and how to verbally express emotions and problems. They will learn how to make friends, engage in conversation, and show respect for others through stories, puppets, songs, role playing, games, and arts and crafts. Our class will provide the foundation and instill a commitment to the Viking Values of being responsible, respectful, and safe as your child continues their education on Grand Island. Our social skills class is taught by Miss Fran. Miss Fran holds a duel certification in elementary and special education from Buffalo State College and has been in education for over 30 years. Throughout her career Miss Fran has worked as a preschool lead teacher, worked in resource rooms, and currently works part time as a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT).