EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
for children 2–5 years old
A Leading Pre-K Program in Needham
Pre-K Program Curriculum:
Ages 3.9–4.9
Teacher-to-Child Ratio: 1:10
Our Pre-Kindergarten program supports children as they deepen skills across all areas of development—cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language. Children at this age learn best through play, active exploration, and meaningful relationships, and learning remains both play-based and inquiry-driven.
Through a balanced approach that combines child-initiated play with teacher-guided experiences, children expand their understanding of early literacy, math reasoning, shapes, colors, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Teachers intentionally design and thoughtfully scaffold learning experiences, building on each child’s prior knowledge while honoring individual interests, curiosity, and developmental readiness.
The Pre-K classroom emphasizes whole-child development, fostering communication, collaboration, self-regulation, executive functioning skills, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging. This developmentally appropriate approach prepares children for a confident and successful transition to Junior Kindergarten and kindergarten, both academically and socially.
Literacy
Pre-K children engage in rich, language-filled experiences that support emergent reading, writing, and oral language development. Through storytelling, conversation, play, and meaningful interactions with print, children deepen their understanding of how language works.
Teachers intentionally scaffold learning as children:
- Strengthen phonological awareness, including letter–sound connections
- Practice emergent writing, such as writing names, labeling work, and dictating stories
- Expand vocabulary through conversation, books, and storytelling
- Develop comprehension and sequencing skills through daily read-alouds and shared reading
To support a smooth transition to kindergarten, our Pre-K program thoughtfully incorporates Fundations as part of our literacy instruction. Fundations is a developmentally appropriate, multisensory approach to early literacy that aligns with how young children learn best. It is also the literacy program used by Needham Public Schools, helping children who attend NPS transition confidently into the public school kindergarten curriculum the following year.
Literacy learning is integrated throughout the day and grounded in children’s interests, supporting confidence and a growing love of reading and writing.
Science & Math
Pre-K children explore math and science concepts through hands-on investigation, inquiry, and real-world problem-solving. Learning experiences encourage children to ask questions, test ideas, and think critically.
Through play and exploration, children:
- Build number sense, including counting, comparing, and representing quantities
- Explore patterns, measurement, and spatial relationships
- Investigate scientific concepts such as cause and effect, properties of materials, and the natural world
- Use tools, language, and representations to communicate their thinking
Teachers intentionally extend learning through open-ended questions and meaningful everyday experiences, supporting curiosity and reasoning.
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, Pre-K children are encouraged to explore, create, and express ideas and emotions in meaningful ways. Fine arts experiences emphasize process over product, allowing children to take creative risks, make intentional choices, and communicate their thinking with growing confidence.
Art
Pre-K children have open access to a wide variety of art materials, supporting creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor development. As children engage in art experiences, they are supported to:
- Focus on the Creative Process: Children are encouraged to explore materials thoughtfully, valuing experimentation and effort rather than a finished product.
- Make Intentional Choices and Experiment: Children select papers, paints, tools, and techniques as they explore how materials work together and how their ideas can be represented visually.
- Use Descriptive Language: Children expand vocabulary as they describe their work, materials, and processes using words such as smooth, rough, soft, hard, patterned, and textured, supporting oral language and reflection.
- Express Ideas and Emotions: Art becomes a meaningful way for children to represent experiences, stories, and feelings.
Music
Music provides Pre-K children with opportunities to express themselves through sound, movement, and rhythm, while strengthening coordination, listening skills, 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 an understanding of musical concepts in playful, engaging ways.
- Build Musical Vocabulary: Children learn language to describe sound, movement, and musical experiences, strengthening expressive language and communication skills.
Fine arts experiences in Pre-K support creative thinking, collaboration, and self-expression, while honoring each child’s unique ideas and abilities.
Physical Education & Wellness
Movement is an essential part of learning in Pre-K. Children are provided with daily opportunities for active play that support physical development, health, and self-regulation.
Through indoor and outdoor play, children:
- Build gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, strength, and agility
- Engage in running, climbing, jumping, dancing, and group games
- Develop body awareness and confidence through movement
Teachers recognize that movement supports attention, emotional regulation, and learning, and intentionally incorporate physical activity throughout the day.
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.