At West Valley Christian Preschool it is our mission to provide excellence in education to our students and to inspire each one of them to seek Christ and His Kingdom. Because we see the importance of teaching the “whole child”, we have partnered with Kaplan Early Learning Company to create a fun, engaging program consisting of 7 Discovery Zones in the classrooms. We are also in the process of creating a Discovery Zone area where classrooms will be able to explore each of these zones.

Detailed Description of The Discovery Zone

Stem:

Children will learn and apply concepts in science (observing, exploring, figuring out how things
work, making connections) technology (using tools, trying different solutions, problem solving),
engineering (using tools, designing, building, creating solutions), and math (counting, numbers,
comparing, measuring, sequencing, patterning, shapes).

Language/Literacy:

Through auditory, verbal and hands on activities children will expand their vocabulary, develop
an understanding and use of language, phonological and phonemic awareness, letter formation
and identification, visual and auditory perception, strengthened writing skills.

Creative Expression:

Art, music, and movement activities will allow children to express themselves, build self
confidence and explore what they can do with different materials.

Sensory:

Hands on activities will allow children to explore their senses of touching, seeing, hearing,
smelling, and tasting. Sensory play uses more of the brain and encourages children to use
scientific processes while they create, investigate, and explore. Through these activities children
will develop the small muscles- a prerequisite to learning how to write and perform everyday tasks.
 

Active Play:

Fun activities will allow children to develop their hand-eye coordination, agility, strengthen
muscles, balance, and body awareness. Active play gives the brain oxygen and works both sides
of the brain which stimulates learning and improves concentration.

Discovery Play:

Children will learn through play experiences by imitating and pretending therefore building
imagination, promoting social skills (sharing, taking turns, cooperation, resolving conflicts,
responsibility, etc.) and helping children gain a better understanding of daily experiences.

Social/Emotional:

Through play children will discover how to recognize and manage feelings and behaviors,
cooperate and collaborate with others, take turns, resolve conflict, learn empathy and
compassion for others, as well as learn more about the world around them.

 

Bringing it all together:

Each of these Discovery Zones will provide opportunities to incorporate our great big loving
God. He is already there.
Through Stem we see the intrinsic way that God has made things.
Through Language/Literacy we will explore God’s word to us.
Through Creative Expression we see that God is the ultimate artist.
Through Sensory play we explore the senses God gave us to enjoy His world.
Through Active play we appreciate how we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
Through Discovery play we learn to have an understanding and love for others the way that
God does.
Through Social/Emotional Development we learn that God loves us no matter what we may
be feeling or going through.