Early Childhood Curriculum Guide

Language Arts is composed of several interrelated areas: reading, writing, spelling, listening and speaking. At the early childhood level, the students are encouraged to learn to communicate clearly through development in these five areas. They will start from letter recognition and phonics. They will use this knowledge to produce and recognize rhyming words. Students will read high frequency words that are recognized by “sight” followed by simple texts containing familiar letter-sound correspondences. Students reading skills are developed in order to be able to read on their own by mid-year of Kindergarten.

The curriculum allows students to construct an understanding of basic mathematical concepts from their own experience. Students are challenged to build arithmetic skills that are essential for number sense, estimation skills and flexibility in a problem rich environment. Students, after number recognition and counting, are introduced to patterns, addition and subtraction. Important concepts and strategies for problem solving recur with variations throughout the curriculum, and concepts are introduced and revisited in a variety of formats providing considerable practice.

The purpose of science is to provide students with balanced, (Life, Earth, Physical and Health) relevant, hands-on opportunities and experiences to better understand science and to promote scientific literacy. They are taught to distinguish between living and non-living things and are gradually introduced other complex concepts such as plant life, ecology, health and senses.

In kindergarten, students begin to develop an awareness of the world around them. Topics include decision-making, families and responsibilities, respect for culture, customs & symbols of our country, communities and symbols on a map.

Students will learn the Arabic alphabet, numbers, days of the week, names of animals, fruits and vegetables in Arabic, after which they will learn word building. Students are immersed in the targeted language by hearing all directions in Arabic.

Al-QaidaH An-Noraniah is introduced to strengthen Quran reading early. Students also learn short surahs from Juz Amma. Depending on their ability, students often finish memorizing Juz Amma by 1st grade.

Students learn basics of Islam by learning Ahadeeth, supplications, the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Stories from the Quran are also told to build on their Islamic knowledge. At the kindergarten level, students are taught to read salah. They master the salah by practice and learn patience, respect, and duaa.

The goal of this class is to acquire basic knowledge of team work, with emphasis on the appreciation and necessity of exercise for lifelong fitness. Physical Education directly correlates to the health and well being of students. Improving opportunities for physical activity is an imperative for improving children’s academic achievement and their health.

Art is a valuable class where students learn to become creative & artistic. Students will work towards learning different skills and develop their creative ability. Islamic Art will be specifically stressed in this class.

Daily circle time is an interactive experience where students actively participate in sharing their thoughts, listening to others and reviewing their previously learned lessons. Circle time leads young children towards feeling confident in their knowledge and abilities.

Students at this age enjoy playing with different toys that help develop their fine and large motor control. These toys include Legos, Building Blocks, and Play-Doh.

Puzzles require abstract thinking. It requires the ability to see a space and envision what belongs there. Puzzles also require fine motor control in order to place the pieces into the right place. Puzzles also teach the mind to problem solve and think logically.