Excellence
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Education
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Friendships
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Faith
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Excellence 〰️ Education 〰️ Friendships 〰️ Faith 〰️
Voted best of Ahwatukee in Ahwatukee Foothills News since 2018!
Discover the Magic Within Ahwatukee Preschool
Ahwatukee Preschool's distinctive approach centers around hands-on play and discovery, fostering a dynamic learning environment. Emphasizing S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), the curriculum prioritizes learning through experience. Through hands-on play, children engage in real-life situations, such as cooking, building structures, and artistic expression, which cultivates their imagination and tactile skills. This approach mirrors a child's experience in a science lab, where they have tools like toys and art supplies to create and explore. The S.T.R.E.A.M. curriculum enables children to explore science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, and mathematics in an integrated manner, promoting a holistic understanding of the world. This hands-on method encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience, instilling crucial life skills. Ahwatukee Preschool's commitment to fostering creativity and curiosity through hands-on play and the S.T.R.E.A.M. framework creates a vibrant and enriching educational environment for young learners.
Classes We Offer
2’s Class
Created in 2014, this class started as a dream; yet it grew into an amazing program unlike any other for the age group.
Within this program, the children work on their fine motor development by learning to grip large paint brushes, markers, and other hand-held tools for creating. In addition, they work on identifying various textures through playing with rice, sand, pom poms, and other texture-based artifacts. The children not only begin working on letter and number recognition, but continually work on their social skills and core muscle development through dancing, jumping, and playing on the playground. We also focus on the childrens’ development of S.T.R.E.A.M., which completely thrills the children at this age. This class is perfect for your child if they turn 2 by September 1st.
3’s Class
Between the ages of 3 and 4, a significant cognitive and emotional journey unfolds. As young 3-year-olds, children start to bridge the gap between learned concepts and their practical application in their surroundings. Their budding independence is evident as they master tasks like getting dressed, using the restroom, and washing hands. These young learners process 2- to 3-step tasks and begin connecting numerical concepts to tangible items. The transition to older 3-year-olds marks a substantial leap in understanding as they not only grasp what is read to them but actively use that knowledge to craft their own stories with words, toys, and pictures. Letters evolve into words, and numbers transform into meaningful quantities for counting. Furthermore, social and emotional growth plays a pivotal role in shaping their overall development. As they master skills, emotional intelligence blooms and social interactions provide opportunities for collaboration and connection with their peers.
As 3-year-olds grow through the year, their problem-solving skills develop, accompanied by a remarkable expansion of vocabulary. By the end of the year, they express themselves in more complex 3-to 4-word sentences. Logic and reasoning become integral tools in their cognitive toolkit, allowing them to formulate more informed hypotheses. The journey continues for older 3-year-olds who, by year-end, showcase advanced problem-solving capabilities and refine their literacy skills to create intricate sentence structures and narratives. This growth is complemented by strengthened fine motor skills, enabling them to embark on the exciting journey of writing letters and even their own names. The transitional phase from a young 3 to an older 3 illustrates the remarkable strides made in both cognitive and motor development during this pivotal year of a child's life. If your child turns 3 by September 1st and is fully potty trained, this class is tailor-made for you!
4’s/Pre-K Class
As children approach the age of 5, their natural curiosity takes center stage, sparking more in-depth conversations and a heightened understanding of complex concepts. They begin to grasp notions like time, the order of things, and the recognition of words found in books, on buildings, and on television. This period is marked by the flourishing of their personalities, evident in activities such as singing, dancing, embracing silliness, and displaying increased energy compared to previous years. The 3-year-old understanding of their social and emotional skills transform into being able to identify and manage feelings, but also navigate the social interactions with a newfound depth.
Large motor skills come to the forefront as they enthusiastically engage in running, jumping, throwing, kicking, climbing, and even mastering the art of hopping on one foot. Their creative endeavors expand to drawing and coloring, and mastering the use of a fork and spoon during meals becomes a significant achievement. Independence blooms as they eagerly tackle tasks like dressing themselves and brushing their teeth.
In this experiential phase, children not only learn to play in groups but also develop an understanding of taking turns and basic game rules. Their quest for independence motivates them to actively explore their surroundings, encouraging them to touch, feel, and experience all that the world has to offer. This period captures the vibrant essence of approaching their 5-year-old selves, showcasing a developmental stage characterized by both cognitive and physical leaps.
Music sparks the brain and stirs the soul, connecting individuals through its universal language.
Every week we engage the children with music which not only exposes them to a world of sounds but also fosters cognitive, social, and emotional development. As they explore instruments weekly, delving into the physical characteristics and play styles, they are simultaneously honing memory, teamwork, and discipline through regular practice. The act of playing instruments facilitates the creation of connections between sound and the role each instrument plays in a musical composition. Additionally, rhythm becomes a central focus, intertwined with name and word recognition, providing a unique link between music and language. This holistic approach extends to gross and fine motor skills, as well as vocal control through singing practice. Overall, the incorporation of music into education creates a well-rounded learning experience, encouraging creativity, expression, and skill development in various facets of a child's growth.
Let's Connect!
We love hearing from you and discussing how we can nurture your little one's growth. Feel free to reach out with any questions or simply to share a funny story from your child's day at Ahwatukee Preschool. We can't wait to chat with you! If you'd like to see our wonderful facilities firsthand, we also welcome you to schedule a tour. We look forward to the opportunity to show you around and share more about the enriching environment we provide for your child's development.