EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
for children 2–5 years old
Junior Kindergarten at Tobin Beaudet
Providing children with an extra year to grow socially, emotionally, and academically before entering kindergarten.
Junior K Program Curriculum:
Ages 4.9 and up
Teacher-to-Child Ratio: 1:10
The program offers a developmentally appropriate, academically rich, and socially supportive environment that strengthens school readiness while preserving the importance of play, creativity, and joyful learning.
Teachers intentionally support the development of confidence, independence, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation, while nurturing emerging academic skills in ways that are engaging, meaningful, and responsive to each child’s individual needs. Junior Kindergarten serves as a thoughtful bridge between early childhood education and elementary school.
Is Junior Kindergarten a Good Fit for Your Child?
Most children enrolled in Junior Kindergarten have previously attended Preschool and Pre-K but are not yet age-eligible for public school kindergarten. This program is also a strong option for children who have recently turned five, or for families who feel their child would benefit from an additional year to grow socially, emotionally, or academically before transitioning to kindergarten.
Literacy
To support a smooth and confident transition to kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten continues using the early literacy program Fundations. Fundations offers a developmentally appropriate, multisensory approach to early reading and writing that supports phonological awareness, letter–sound relationships, and early decoding. Because Needham Public Schools also uses Fundations, this continuity helps children transition seamlessly into the public school kindergarten literacy program.
Junior Kindergarten children engage in purposeful, language-rich experiences that build on the foundational skills developed in Preschool and Pre-K. Learning is play-based and intentionally scaffolded to meet each child at their current level while supporting growing independence and readiness.
Teachers support children as they:
- Develop Early Reading Skills: Strengthen phonological awareness, letter–sound relationships, and early decoding through play-based experiences, including beginning sight words and consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.
- Strengthen Writing Skills: Share ideas daily through writing, drawing, labeling, and shared writing, progressing toward writing words and simple sentences.
- Expand Oral Language and Vocabulary: Grow expressive and receptive language skills through discussion, storytelling, and reflection.
- Build Comprehension Skills: Develop sequencing and understanding of text through daily read-alouds, shared reading, and group conversations.
- Engage with a Variety of Texts: Explore books independently and with teachers across multiple genres, fostering confidence and a love of reading.
Literacy learning is integrated throughout the day and grounded in children’s interests, supporting both joyful learning and strong kindergarten readiness.
Science & Math
Many Junior Kindergarten students enter the program with a strong foundation in early math and science. In Junior K, children build on these skills through hands-on, inquiry-based learning that is engaging, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate.
Mathematics
Math learning is integrated throughout the day and presented in playful, real-world contexts. Children explore concepts such as counting, number relationships, patterns, and problem-solving, and are introduced to addition, subtraction, and early work with double-digit numbers in ways that keep learning joyful and accessible.
Science
Children investigate the world around them through observation, exploration, and discussion. Science experiences expand vocabulary, curiosity, and background knowledge, while encouraging children to ask questions, test ideas, and build early foundations for future learning in science and engineering.
These experiences support critical thinking, reasoning, and confidence, while honoring children’s natural curiosity and readiness to learn.
Social-Emotional Learning & Celebrating Similarities and Differences
Our Pre-K program provides a well-rounded educational experience that intentionally supports children’s social-emotional development, identity formation, and sense of belonging. At this age, children are developing greater independence, empathy, and awareness of themselves and others. Through daily interactions, play, and responsive relationships, children build skills that support success in school and beyond.
Teachers use developmentally appropriate, intentional practices to support children as they learn to:
- Understand and Express Emotions: Children strengthen their ability to identify, name, and express feelings in respectful ways while developing empathy and perspective-taking.
- Develop Self-Regulation and Executive Function Skills: Through consistent routines, guided practice, and problem-solving experiences, children build flexibility, impulse control, sustained attention, and perseverance—skills essential for kindergarten readiness.
- Build Positive Relationships: Children practice cooperation, turn-taking, self-advocacy, and conflict resolution while forming strong, trusting relationships with peers and teachers.
- Celebrate Similarities and Differences (CSAD): Through our CSAD curriculum, children explore how people can be both similar and different in many ways—including family structures, cultures, abilities, appearance, and experiences—while learning that everyone belongs and is valued.
- Develop Awareness, Acceptance, and Respect: Children engage in thoughtful conversations, literature, music, art, and hands-on experiences that promote kindness, inclusion, and an understanding that differences enrich our community.
Music, Movement & Art
Through art and music, Junior Kindergarten children are encouraged to explore, create, and express ideas and emotions with increasing intention and confidence. Fine arts experiences continue to emphasize process over product, while supporting creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-expression.
Art
Junior Kindergarten children have access to a wide range of art materials and experiences that support creative thinking, planning, and fine motor development. As children engage in art, they are supported to:
- Focus on the Creative Process: Children explore materials thoughtfully, valuing experimentation, persistence, and effort rather than a finished product.
- Make Intentional Choices and Experiment: Children select materials, tools, and techniques with purpose as they plan, revise, and represent ideas visually.
- Use Descriptive and Reflective Language: Children expand vocabulary as they describe their work, materials, and creative decisions using words such as textured, patterned, smooth, and rough, supporting reflection and communication.
- Express Ideas and Emotions: Art becomes a meaningful way for children to represent experiences, stories, and feelings with growing complexity and detail.
Music
Music provides Junior Kindergarten children with opportunities to express themselves through sound, movement, and rhythm, while strengthening listening skills, coordination, and confidence.
Through music, children:
- Sing, Move, and Create: Children participate in songs, musical games, and movement activities that support rhythm, coordination, and joyful self-expression.
- Explore Sound and Rhythm: Children experiment with instruments, tempo, and patterns, developing a deeper understanding of musical concepts.
- Build Musical Vocabulary: Children use language to describe sound, movement, and musical experiences, strengthening expressive language and communication skills.
Fine arts experiences in Junior Kindergarten support creative thinking, collaboration, perseverance, and self-expression, while honoring each child’s unique ideas and abilities.
Physical Education & Wellness
Movement continues to play an essential role in learning, health, and self-regulation in Junior Kindergarten. Children are provided with daily opportunities for active play that support physical development, confidence, and well-being.
Through indoor and outdoor movement experiences, children:
- Build Gross Motor Skills: Strengthen balance, coordination, strength, agility, and endurance through running, climbing, jumping, dancing, and organized games.
- Engage in Purposeful Movement: Participate in group games and physical challenges that promote cooperation, rule-following, and problem-solving.
- Develop Body Awareness and Confidence: Gain increased control, awareness, and confidence in how their bodies move and function.
Teachers intentionally incorporate movement throughout the day, recognizing that physical activity supports focus, emotional regulation, and readiness for learning.
Exploring Languages
Exposure to additional languages supports communication, cognitive flexibility, and cultural awareness. In our Pre-K program, children are introduced to multiple languages in developmentally appropriate, playful, and meaningful ways.
- Mandarin: Through engaging stories, songs, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to Mandarin every week as part of their Preschool classroom experience. These experiences focus on listening, sound recognition, and building familiarity with a new language in a joyful, low-pressure way.
- American Sign Language (ASL): Preschoolers are introduced to ASL through simple signs that are naturally incorporated into daily routines and classroom interactions. Using ASL supports expressive and receptive communication, strengthens fine motor skills, and promotes inclusion and understanding among peers.
Measuring Progress
At Tobin Beaudet Schools, we respect each child as an individual, recognizing that children learn and develop along their own unique timeline. Our teachers are trained early childhood professionals with a strong understanding of child development and a commitment to supporting each child’s individual learning goals.
Assessment Tool
We proudly use Teaching Strategies GOLD, a research-based, developmentally appropriate assessment system. This tool provides a comprehensive view of each child’s growth across developmental areas and supports meaningful collaboration between teachers and families as goals are set for future learning.
Ongoing Observation & Family Partnership
Teachers engage in ongoing observation throughout the day, documenting children’s learning and development over time. Families are invited to participate in parent-teacher conferences three times per year to review progress and set shared goals. We also encourage open communication throughout the year—partnering closely with families is an essential part of supporting each child’s success.