Caterpillars
Pre-K (4s – Transition-Kindergartners)
As a child moves into the fourth year, parents are often surprised at how she is becoming a “little kid” now instead of their baby of yesteryears. Indeed, 4 year olds are learning how to operate more independently and they are changing from our little kiddos to students now. While they still want to act silly and play, they also are showing great interest in more traditional academic learning.
At Panache Enfants, our pre-kindergarten teachers recognize the importance of getting the students ready for Kindergarten. The Caterpillars class is the first of two steps to that journey into elementary school. Our teachers will work in large and small group settings to acclimate students to the rigors of an academic curriculum alongside developmental and social learning. While the program offers plenty of opportunities for children to be 4 year olds who are creative, fun and silly, there will be times of day with clear, focused tasks and expectations as well.
Our Pre-Kindergarten program includes our full PanacheGurus curriculum with special emphasis on:
Gross/Fine Motor Development
- Stand on one foot for more than 9 seconds
- Do a somersault and hop
- Walk up and down stairs without help
- Walk forward and backwards easily
- Peddle a tricycle
- Copy a triangle, circle, square, and other shapes
- Draw a person with a body and discernable facial features
- Stack 10 or more blocks
- Use a fork and spoon
- Dress and undress, brush teeth, and take care of other personal needs without much help
Cognitive Development
- Speak clearly using more complex sentences
- Growing vocabulary
- Can carry on a conversation
- Answers questions easily and logically
- Enjoys singing, rhyming and making up words
- Count twenty or more objects
- Correctly name most colors and shapes
- Recognize all letters and write his or her name
- Better understand the concept of time and the order of daily activities, like breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and dinner at night
- Have a greater attention span; can focus on an activity for at least 5 minutes
- Follow multiple part commands. For example, “Put your book away, brush your teeth, and then get in bed.”
- Recognize familiar words, such as “STOP” and act accordingly without prompting
- Know his or her address and phone number
Social/Emotional Development
- Rarely shows signs of separation anxiety
- Has varied interests and curiosity
- Able to work through conflicts and exhibit controlled emotions
- Enjoys playing with other children and pleasing his or her friends
- Shares and takes turns, at least most of the time
- Understands and obeys rules; however, your 4- to 5-year-old will still be demanding and uncooperative at times.
- Is becoming more independent and self-confident
- Better expresses emotions and feelings
- Is better able to use problem-solving skills and strategies in social situations
- Still confuses make-believe with reality
- Expresses anger verbally, rather than physically (most of the time)