• Show interest in hearing books read aloud and read books independently using pictures
• Recognize their names and classmates’ names in print, and print their own names legibly
• Participate actively in group discussions, sharing information related to the discussion topic
• Listen to others in conversations and group discussions and shows understanding of what was said
• Demonstrate interest in sketching and writing
• Use age-appropriate articulation of speech sounds to converse with classmates and teachers

• Count up to 10 or beyond and recognize and say the numerals zero to five or beyond
• Compare sets of one to five objects and determine which set has more or less
• Add date about people, objects, and events to a graph
• Compare and sort objects based on one attribute, such as color, shape, or feel
• Use positional phrases such as next to, in front of, behind, under, first, or last to describe the location of an object
• Create two-part patterns using manipulatives

• Explore objects, materials, and events, posing questions and making observations and predictions
• Engage in simple investigations and describe, compare, sort, categorize, classify, and measure
• Identify patterns and relationships while working collaboratively with others
• Learn to manipulate materials
• Understand that living things have needs and explore these through classroom pets and plants
• Record daily weather observations and begin to look for patterns in the weather

• Point out the colors blue, red, yellow, and green when asked
• Count up to at least 8 without assistance
• Follow movement vocabulary including run, stop, slow, and go
• Show vocabulary understanding for body parts including hands, feet, and fingers
• Sing greeting song and follow its movements
• Begin to recognize words and phrases in classroom usage

• Have a basic understanding of what it means to be a naturalist
• Demonstrate a desire to explore the outdoors
• Understand the five basic senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) and how they help us understand
• Demonstrate kindness to animals and all living things and understand why that is important
• Identify different basic animal tracks and their dens and shelters when they see them
• Share information about animals' hibernation, migration, and activation cycles

• Work towards age-appropriate competence in fundamental movement and motor skills that will serve as building blocks for future physical activities (run, walk, gallop, hop, jump, rolling, bouncing, tossing and striking a ball)
• Use simple games that incorporate a variety of physical challenges (big and little, up and down, fast and slow)
• Participate in physical challenges that consists of guiding children through developmentally appropriate tasks (station activities, gymnastics activities – balancing, rolling, swinging, jumping and landing)
• Understand and move in different directions (forward, backward, to the side, in a circle and different pathways, straight, curvy and zig-zag)
• Use play to facilitate arm and leg strength (animal movements, statues, making shapes)

• Begin to understand different types of vocal sounds
• Understand the importance of a steady beat in music
• Demonstrate movement to various sounds and rhythms
• Follow instructions and show appropriate listening
• Differentiate between high and low, fast and slow, and loud and soft sounds
• Appropriately play various percussion instruments

• Understand the purpose of libraries and how to use a library
• Demonstrate appropriate library behaviors
• Develop auditory comprehension from listening to stories
• Follow a book’s storyline
• Utilize additional objects and materials in the storytelling experience
• Understand the importance of inquiry and gaining knowledge

Research shows that unstructured, free-play time is important for social-emotional health and development in children. Recess is held outdoors throughout the entire school year, as weather allows, with each grade level having time to themselves on the Preschool playgrounds, sandbox, and bike path with access to tricycles, tools, and other equipment to play with. In addition, the Outdoor Classroom includes a developmentally appropriate small sledding hill in winter. When there is a need to stay indoors, the Read Preschool and Lower School Gymnasium and indoor Preschool playroom provide the space needed for play and games to still take place.