Monthly Program Themes

Our varied programs help in developing the whole child by meeting their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs.

Since children develop differently at different ages, we offer child care programs themes designed for certain age groups.

Program Themes for June 2013

With the arrival of June, your child will swing into summer at our centers. During this month, your child will have fun and learn while engaging in a variety of theme-related activities and experiences.

Below is a sampling of activities that your child may experience this month. To see previous month's activities, please visit our Theme Archive.

Infants
Toddlers
Discovery-Preschool
Preschool
Prekindergarten

Infants

For infants, the theme is “Water Fun.” Sample activities include:

Library & Language: Reading the featured book: Splash! (Baby Faces) by Roberta Grobel Intrater; Participating in conversations and games with adults about water by using water-related photo cards and washcloths
Motor: Rolling beach balls; Clapping hands while listening to the book Clap Hands by Helen Oxenbury
Cognitive: Exploring water with hands and pouring water from watering cans

Toddlers

For Toddlers, the theme is “Water.” Sample activities include:

Library & Language: Discussing photo cards and books about water; Exploring water-related magnets
Creative Arts: Creating paper collages with different types of paper and collage items
Sensory: Exploring water in different ways with measuring cups, pitchers, watering cans, funnels, sponges as well as by washing dolls
Dramatic Play: Pretending to play at the pool by using pool- and water-related props such as water toys, beach towels, and sun glasses

Discovery Preschool

For Discovery Preschool, the theme is “Animals.” Sample activities include:

Library & Language Arts : Exploring animal-related books and photo cards; Using animal puppets to retell familiar animal stories; Featured Book: Animals Friends: A Global Celebration of Children and Animals by Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko
Creative Arts: Creating feather hats and animal hats with paper bowls; Decorating paper-bag clothing with drawing tools and collage materials
Science & Sensory: Exploring the texture of feathers; Using turkey basters and paper fans to create wind to move feathers
Dramatic Play: Caring for animals in a veterinary clinic
Math & Manipulatives: Patterning with math cards; Stringing beads to count

Preschool & Prekindergarten

For Preschool & Prekindergarten the theme is “Water.” Sample activities include:

Library and Language Arts: Writing with colored pencils and white and blue chalk; Discussing books and photo cards related to water; Listening to books on tape; Featured Book: Water Dance by Thomas Locker
Creative Arts: Painting with watercolor paints on paper and with tempera paints at the easel
Science & Sensory: Examining ocean creatures with magnifying glasses; Exploring sand, water, and plastic ocean creatures
Dramatic Play: Using swimming pool-related toys and props while at “the pool”

For Prekindergarten, Sample activities include:

Library & Literacy: Making books about the letters in one’s name; Reading books about water; Using photo cards to create stories about water; Featured Book: Water Dance by Thomas Locker
Creative Arts: Creating crayon-resist paintings; Making and using kazoos
Science & Sensory: Using the senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing to explore materials at five different sensory stations; Exploring water, shells, and toy boats
Dramatic Play: Role-playing and pretending in an underwater environment
Math & Manipulatives: Performing addition and subtraction problems using plastic insects, number cards, and addition and subtraction mats; Building with unit blocks and flexible materials such as pipe cleaners, newspaper, and straws