North Star Child Development Center
Child Care & Developmental Preschool
208-765-6828
282 E Kathleen
Coeur D'Alene Idaho 83815
tracyh@northstarschools.org
Preschool Peer Program
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Ages 3 to 5 years old
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Full Time or Part Time Schedules available
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Open 7am to 5:30pm
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Do you have a 3-5 year old? Enroll your child as a peer model in our inclusion preschool program in Couer d’Alene Idaho.
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For your child to enroll, they need to be
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​Toilet trained
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Be able to follow directions
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Engage in age-appropriate play with same aged peers.
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Our Thematic Preschool program offers:
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Thematic learning to spark curiosity
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Low rations for individual attention
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Engaging indoor and outdoor activities
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Small and Large group instruction
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Kindergarten Readiness preparation
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Sensory rich, hands-on learning activities
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Varied social opportunities for empathy and turn taking​​
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Handwriting curriculum
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Developmentally appropriate learning
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Exciting science exploration
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Language and Literacy development
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A diverse range of activities to match every interest
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Encouragement of inclusive peer interaction
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A safe place to build life long friendships
Curriculum Details:
What is a peer model program? Nurturing Growth through Inclusion: Enrolling your child as a peer in our inclusion preschool program is an incredible opportunity that holds numerous benefits for their development. By engaging with peers of diverse abilities on a daily basis, your child will naturally cultivate empathy, understanding, and kindness from an early age. These interactions create a welcoming environment where friendships flourish, enriching your child's social experience. Moreover, as they model age-appropriate behaviors, your child becomes a positive role model, contributing to the growth of their fellow classmates. Through this engaging and dynamic setting, your child will not only gain leadership skills but also develop a profound appreciation for individual strengths and differences. This foundation will equip them with valuable life skills, fostering a mindset of inclusivity that will stay with them as they continue to learn and grow.
Print-Rich Environment - At our preschool, we hold a deep appreciation for the power of words and literacy. Our classrooms are immersed in language, with words on every corner. From the "5 School Rules" board to labeled toy bins, and from books strategically placed in different centers (like food-related books in the cooking area and construction-themed books in the block area) to written words woven into our large group songs and pocket charts. Even our art area becomes a canvas for stories as children describe their artwork, and teachers transcribe their tales. Walls celebrating families, a dedicated writing center, and much more contribute to our print-rich environment
Thematic Academic Units - Our program is designed around engaging thematic units that foster the development of key skills in math, science, language, literacy, and motor skills. Through hands-on activities, children participate in various learning formats, such as large and small group interactions, handwriting sessions, indoor and outdoor centers, music circles, and reading time. Our experienced preschool teachers guide our little learners through these activities, encouraging turn-taking, social growth, and emotional development through daily conversations
Handwriting without Tears – Through our "Handwriting without Tears" approach, children engage in daily small group sessions where they explore letter sounds and formation in a developmentally appropriate manner. Following the guidance of Handwriting without Tears and employing activities like Mat Man alphabet exercises, children make impressive strides towards writing their own names and spelling simple words, setting a solid foundation before they transition to kindergarten.
Phonemic Awareness – Heggerty Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum – Along with writing words, children are developing the ability to say new sounds, new words and understand how letter sounds combine to make new words. This amazing curriculum teaches rhyme, alphabet knowledge, language awareness, sounds at the beginning, ending and middle of words.
Touch Math – This multi-sensory approach to learning prepares children for kindergarten by teaching counting, number recognition, sorting, classifying, graphing, patterning and shape identification. This fun and engaging curriculum uses pictures, manipulatives and sensory items to make learning math fun.
Social and Emotional Curriculum - Preparing for Kindergarten extends beyond academics; it encompasses social and emotional readiness. Our curriculum emphasizes essential skills like turn-taking, sharing, conflict resolution, and seeking assistance when needed. We equip children with emotional competence and regulation strategies, including sensory-based techniques like deep breathing, sensory breaks, and expressing feelings with words. Collaborative problem-solving with peers and teachers contributes to a well-rounded development.
Music and Movement – Every day, our children participate in a music and movement circle time group where they learn rythmic patterns, new songs and finger plays. Children practice listening, dance moves, and Alphabet Yoga.
Outdoor Learning Environment – Our outdoor learning environment serves as an extension of our indoor classroom. It features dedicated areas for reading, writing, painting, sensory exploration, blocks, and manipulatives. From the sandbox to water play, gross motor activities, and ball games, children engage in learning experiences. Outdoor adventures also include plant exploration, gardening, and observing the local wildlife, fostering a deep connection with nature.
Science – Our science curriculum empowers children with critical thinking skills through hands-on activities and thoughtful discussions. Children learn to formulate hypotheses, test ideas, and conduct research, exploring captivating topics such as planting, magnets, wind, opposites, movement, camouflage, animal studies, and weather phenomena. This engaging journey hones skills like graphing, sorting, labeling, matching, and following directions. Cooking activities, including making playdough, further enrich the learning tapestry.