Art
The art enrichment program at First 5 Years is designed to introduce students to successful artists, allow for creative expression and exploration through various art supplies and mediums, and promote small group learning. A dedicated art teacher meets with the students in the art room in 20-minute sessions at least once a week in small groups. Artists studied in this enrichment program include Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Georgia O’Keeffe, to name a few.
Music
The music enrichment program at First 5 Years is designed to promote expressionism and creativity through use of instruments and songs, encourage movement exploration, and provide a foundation for memorization and patterning. Students attend music classes in the small chapel in 20-minute sessions at least once a week in small groups. Children learn that music can be used to celebrate the seasons and holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Animated Alphabet
The Animated Alphabet is a literacy program that engages the brain and promotes language development by incorporating literature, storytelling, songs, gestures for sounds, drawing and labeling lessons, and manipulatives. Each letter is introduced and practiced using an animated character, a specific gesture for the letter sound, and a coloring page featuring the animated character. This program is used in the Lawrence Public Schools.
Handwriting Without Tears
Handwriting Without Tears is a hands-on curriculum for teaching handwriting to preschool through elementary age students. This program uses multi-sensory techniques such as manipulating wood pieces and dough, listening to the teacher’s voice and a corresponding music CD, and imaginary writing to make handwriting tear-free for everyone. Letters are taught in groups of similar formation in a sequence that makes developmental sense. This program is used in the Lawrence Public Schools.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch is an extended day program that allows students to remain at school until 1:30 pm. Lunch Bunch includes lunch time, activity centers, story time, art projects, music, and outside play. Parent is responsible for providing his/her child’s sack lunch.
Happy Feet
Happy Feet is a new and exciting mobile soccer clinic for children ages 2-6. Happy Feet incorporates a soccer ball into nursery rhymes, songs, and children’s games to teach basic motor skill development. This program encourages respect for the coach, self, and others and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Happy Feet is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:30-NOON at First Presbyterian Church.
Chapel
Students from all classes attend chapel together every Monday. Each classroom has the opportunity to present various bible stories by way of acting, singing, and/or storytelling. Parents are welcome to attend chapel.
Kid's Day Out
First Presbyterian Church is home to a wonderful Kid’s Day Out program for children ages one to three. KDO hours are the same as morning preschool. Contact the preschool for more information.
Special Days
First 5 Years makes your child’s classroom experience unique with several celebrations throughout the year.
| SEPTEMBER All School Park Day OCTOBER Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Family Reading Night Halloween Sing & Party NOVEMBER Dad’s Day All School Feast Day DECEMBER Pajama Day All School Christmas Sing Christmas Party |
JANUARY All School Kansas Day FEBRUARY Valentine’s Day Party MARCH Spring Field Trip APRIL Easter Earth Day MAY All School Art Show & Auction Mother’s Tea |
Calendar
First 5 Years follows USD 497 closings for inclement weather.
The preschool director sends out a monthly newsletter to keep parents up-to-date on the latest news and activities at school.