Ducklings

The Ducklings (typically three years old by October 1) spend much of their day working or playing at activities they choose themselves. Within the context of large and small group activities, interest areas and study topics, and in conjunction with independent choices made throughout the day, the Ducklings are offered varied and multiple experiences designed to give each child multiple and specific experiences that support their learning and development in these domains:

Language Arts/Literacy

Listening to stories
Storytelling and retelling
Phonemic awareness
Recognizing own printed first name
Recognizing and printing some letters of own first name
Book handling skills and knowledge

Math

Matching
Sorting and classifying, 1 attribute
Making observations and predictions
Measuring, nonstandard
Patterns
Ordered sets, nesting and stacking
Seriation by size, number, length, weight and texture
Comparatives: heavy/light, more/less, big/bigger/biggest
Recognizing numerals 1-5
Rote counting to 10
Counting 1-1 to 10
Fractions, whole and half
Identifying colors
Identifying shapes
Positional words: on, in, under, behind, up, down, before, after, next to

Physical

Hopping, jumping, marching, galloping, balancing, swinging, climbing, running, and riding tricycles
Throwing, catching and kicking balls of various sizes
Group games
Blocks
Tracing, cutting, lacing, peg boards, manipulatives
Puzzles, up to 25 pieces

Creative

Art activities, including easel painting
Music, singing, movement and instruments
Sensory: sand, water, gak and playdough
Dramatic play

Social and Emotional

Self help: dressing, eating, cleaning up, handwashing, independent toileting
Critical thinking, problem solving, decision making
Self expression of needs and opinions
Identifying feelings, their own and others’
Following directions
Public speaking
Prosocial behaviors: cooperation, taking turns, respecting others, self-regulation, manners

The Ducklings’ curriculum also includes opportunities for cooking (pre-COVID!) and activities that foster an awareness of world languages and respect for multiculturalism.