Dear Parent(s),
Thank you for your interest in It’s a Big World! Here is some valuable information for you and your child.
The Head Teacher
I’d like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about myself. I began my teaching career educating preschool-aged children in Orlando, Florida and my love for it led me to open my own preschool in 2005 in Santa Clara, CA. My educational background consists of a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Elementary Education. I’ve loved teaching for 11 years and have had an array of enriching opportunities educating children and adults from many different cultural backgrounds and ages. My desire to learn about different educational methods led me to research and teach in both public and private schools in the Unites States, India and China. After my preschool teaching experience, I taught linguistics, reading, elementary education and basic computer skills. Throughout my experiences and observations, I have concluded there is one definite aspect of learning that “everyone” loves (no matter what age or background) and that element is “play”. When a child is having fun learning everyone wins :o).
Mission and Philosophy
To some “play” is the opposite of learning but here at It’s a Big World! we maximize “play” as a learning tool. Fun is the name of the game with my teaching style.
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When learning is fun, it is meaningful.
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When learning is meaningful it’s more likely to be retained.
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When information is retained, the building blocks in our mind grow higher and higher.
At It’s a Big World!, our goal is to build on your child’s strengths by encouraging self-expression, creativity and individuality in an environment which encourages critical thinking skills and imagination.
The Curriculum
The #1 fact to remember is that every child is unique. Though there are many successful forms of curricula, I believe one single method may not be suitable for all children. To maximize the ability of a child’s learning, the ideal situation would be to teach based on the child’s interes ts. The High/Scope curriculum does a wonderful job of accomplishing this. High/Scope’skey experiences/standards align with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS). Children’s interests and choices are at the heart of this “active learning” program.
Your child’s learning experience at It’s a Big World will include:
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High/Scope’s philosophy
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Montessori’s global and independent life skills
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Reading Revolution’s kinesthetic learning approach
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Basic foreign language of Spanish
We teach the following skills when your child is ready:
Language and Literacy
- Letter and letter sound recognition (phonics)
- Sight word recognition
- Reading common beginning and endings in words (suffix and prefix)
- Blending letters
- Sentence and story comprehension
- Practicing word rhyming
- Writing and reading sentences.
Math and Science
- Number recognition and comprehension 1-100
- Writing numbers 1-10
- Basic addition and subtraction
- Comprehension of pattern sequence ( ABAB, ABCABC etc.)
- Experience of analysis, hypothesis, and prediction
- Recognition of differences in weight, length, smell, texture, temperature
- Telling basic time
- Cause and effect exercises
- 2-D and 3-D geometric shapes
Social Skills
- Kindness, sharing taking turns, group and independent play
- Manners (greeting, playing, mealtime)
- Building self confidence and independence
- Basic life skills
The Preschool Environment
At It’s a Big World our teacher to student ratio is a low 1:4. A low ratio allows us to concentrate on your child and make him/her more than ready for elementary school. The child care setting supports a loving and peaceful environment mixed in with a lot of exploration! We provide stimulating and challenging activities that help promote curiosity and self-confidence in children aging from 3-5 years of age. In addition to a nurturing environment, snacks and wholesome home-cooked meals will be provided depending on your child’s daily schedule. To help with the transition I offer a home visit to interact with your child and you before your child’s first day with us!
Sincerely,
Ms. Mika, Director
Phone: 425.818.3042
Email: info@ItsaBigWorld.Org
