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Experience Our Academic Program
Beginners 4/5
Welcome to Beginners 4/5
Our Beginners program for ages 4 and 5 is where curiosity is encouraged, imaginations run free, and every child’s unique potential is celebrated. Our experienced and caring teachers create a safe space where children can discover, play, and learn through hands-on activities and engaging projects. With a focus on social-emotional development, foundational literacy and math skills, and a love for learning, our program sets the stage for a lifetime of growth and discovery.
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Beginners 4/5 Highlights
List of 3 items.
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May Pole Celebration
Hooray hooray for the month of May! Beginners welcome spring with a joyful dance around the maypole, and handmade flower bouquets delivered to brighten offices and classrooms across campus. -
Gratitude is...
Through engaging activities, stories, and discussions, children explore the concept of thankfulness and learn to appreciate the people, experiences, and things that bring joy to their lives. This study includes participating in acts of kindness and sharing what they are thankful for with their classmates. By fostering a sense of gratitude early on, we help our preschoolers develop positive attitudes, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the importance of being grateful. -
Lantern Walk: A Celebration of Light and Learning
Families are warmly invited to join their child for a special evening celebration marking the culmination of our weeks-long study of light and shadow. This beloved annual tradition features handmade lanterns, shadow puppet performances, singing, and joyful explorations of light and dark. Children showcase their learning through creativity and play, and the evening concludes with a magical outdoor lantern walk — symbolizing the beauty of curiosity, collaboration, and discovery.
Beginners 4/5 Sample Schedule
List of 16 items.
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7:30 a.m.
Early Birds: Before School Programming Available
Learn More -
8:15 a.m.
Arrival & Morning Workperiod -
8:30 a.m.
Morning Meeting -
9:00 a.m.
Small Group Lessons -
9:30 a.m.
Music, Spanish or Science -
10:00 a.m.
Workperiod -
11:00 a.m.
Snack -
11:15 a.m.
Energize -
11:45 a.m.
Story -
12:00 p.m.
Lunch & Quiet Time -
1:00 p.m.
Work Period/Project Work -
1:30 p.m.
Motor, Science or Art -
2:00 p.m.
Energize -
2:30 p.m.
Story -
2:50 p.m.
Dismissal -
3–5:30 p.m.
After School Programming Available
Learn More
Our Beginners 4/5 Curriculum
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Language Arts
The Beginners Language Arts curriculum supports the development of emerging literacy skills, particularly oral language. Literacy develops in young children when they have opportunities to communicate and become engaged members of a classroom. Students experience a print-rich environment that cultivates interest in language and words. With teacher modeling through charts, stories, songs, poetry and messages, students are supported and encouraged to dictate stories as well as to form, draw, copy and trace letters of the alphabet. To build the underpinnings of beginning reading skills, children develop an ear for discriminating sounds through rhyme and alliteration, and by exploring letter sounds and symbols through games and direct instruction.
Social Studies
Social studies in the Beginners classroom is designed to foster an inclusive learning community where children develop a sense of self and an awareness of others. Teachers facilitate this growth through read-aloud, discussions and collaborative projects. The children explore the workings of their school environment to gain an understanding of their place in the broader campus community.
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Mathematics
The Beginners mathematics curriculum draws upon the child’s natural curiosity about the world. Teachers design lessons for children to explore mathematical concepts and skills through relevant and meaningful activities. Using hands-on manipulatives, games and real-life experiences, children are introduced to and explore the concepts of numeracy, geometry, measurement and algebraic thinking. Problem-solving and reasoning skills are developed through questions intended to spark conversation among the children.
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Science
Children are born scientists, driven by their curiosity to explore and discover. They learn through direct experiences in which they can form ideas, test them, see the results, revise their ideas and try again. In the Exploratory Lab, children interact with blocks, ramps, sand, water and wind. They are encouraged to experiment, notice cause and effect, and problem solve. An understanding of the natural world is formed with direct observation and hands-on experiences.
World Languages
Beginners are introduced to Spanish words and phrases in meaningful and contextual ways through interactive and joyful lessons that include songs, books, games, role-play and conversation.
Visual Arts
The Beginners art program promotes exploration and discovery through the use of various media such as clay, wire, string and paint as well as natural objects and recycled materials. Art is integrated into all curricular areas and value is placed on the process of the child’s experience.
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Music & Movement
Early Childhood music and movement builds upon each child’s natural music ability. Beginners play with words, sounds and different ways to move. Song games with a part for each child give the students practice in basic rhythm skills and ear training. Children sing, chant, play games, dance, and move to classical and folk music.
Physical Education
In a nurturing, positive environment, Beginners receive guidance in developing a basic understanding of gross movement concepts and manipulative skills. The program emphasizes the acquisition of gross-motor skills and basic body management skills. Strength building, balance, coordination, teamwork, jumping, hopping and skipping are emphasized throughout the year.
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New Canaan Country School
Links & Resources
Accreditations
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.