Themes have gotten a bad wrap in early childhood education in recent years however, there is one curriculum company that has turned what you used to know about "themes" upside down. Experience Preschool with Mother Goose Time takes theme-based learning to a whole new level. A topic is explored deeply and meaningfully through STEAM stations, provocations for learning, child-produced dramatic play props, open-ended art experiences, math games, and early literacy, which is what I will focus on here. Each month, we receive a beautiful storybook that has a corresponding puzzle and magnets. Not shown are the story pieces that I cut out and laminate. The stories are meaningful, full of rich theme-related vocabulary, and have gorgeous illustrations. I place the magnets on a metal cupboard in my classroom, and the children spend a lot of their free time there, reciting the main story or making up their own. Experience Preschool with Mother Goose Time has created a friendship series that comes with story props for group literacy activities, puppets for children to make, and a story journal sheet for even more early literacy opportunities. Our teachers refer back to the character trait from the story in natural ways while interacting with the children daily. Here is another example of how the monthly theme is integrated across all domains, especially early literacy. Every child receives their own "I Can Read" book each month. We use these books during our small group time where one teacher works with the same children every day, twice a day. Concepts of print, sight words, reading comprehension, and "concept of word" are the main early literacy skills we work on at the Pre-K level. The curriculum company produces their own music and dance curriculum DVD's also. The children and teachers love the music, inspired by different genres each month. "Shake Your Tail Feather" is one of our favorites. Again, learning is rich and deep, making logical connections throughout the month.
As an early childhood professional or homeschooling parent, I encourage you to take an honest look at themes again, especially how Experience Preschool with Mother Goose Time does them.
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AuthorSheila Anderson has over 25 years experience in the Early Childhood Field and still loves going to "school" everyday. Archives
January 2022
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