A Positive First Learning Experience
At New Vernon Presbyterian Nursery School (NVPNS) we work to create an environment where children are excited about learning. We want them to feel that they are the most important part of our preschool community. Our curriculum strives to address each student's social, cognitive, emotional and physical needs - also known as the "whole child".
We believe that education is a journey - we want each child's beginning to be happy and successful.
Our Program
At NVPNS we emphasize the process of learning. We want our students to love coming to school and to be confident learners.
We specialize in Kindergarten Readiness. This includes:
- Attending skills - Learning to listen to instruction with the whole self. Eyes open and ears open, while feet, hands, and mouth quietly wait to learn.
- Following directions - Able to follow specific steps in order to complete the task at hand.
- Independence - Able to be comfortable in a school environment. Able to care for their own hygiene needs and confident in their ability to learn.
- Social skills - Able to communicate and interact as part of a community, and knowing that they are a valuable part of a community. Learning to resolve conflicts.
- Large and fine motor skills - Crawling, running, climbing jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing and catching a ball, balancing on one foot.
- Early literacy skills - Cutting, pasting, stringing beads, tracing, drawing, stacking. Able to use art materials properly.
We are proud to use the Wilson Fundation Curriculum and the Handwriting Without Tears Program:
Wilson Fundation Curriculum
Fundations' multisensory techniques incorporate the systemic and explicit method indicated by research to be the most effective approach to teaching reading and spelling. This phonics-based program is designed to promote early literacy and successful learning skills. Fundations lessons focus on carefully sequenced skills that include print knowledge, alphabet awareness, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and spelling. Critical thinking, speaking and listening skills are practiced during Storytime activities.
Lessons consist of fifteen different activities targeting skills that are rotated throughout the week. Students who complete the program have automatic control over the fundamental components of literacy. These components provide a foundation in literacy on which they can build for the remainder of their educations.
Handwriting Without Tears
This well-known program encourages fine and large motor control, letter and number recognition and language proficiency. Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) uses a hands-on curriculum for handwriting success. The HWT approach introduces developmentally appropriate activities to teach children about letters, body awareness, numbers, sequencing, while sharing in a fun, engaging, and informal manner. This child-friendly learning system incorporates lively music and playful activities to help young children build a solid foundation for success in school while infusing joy in the learning process helping your child to associate learning with joy.