Add A Little – 4 Year Old Curriculum – Intro
Parent / Teacher Guide
Intro
Why name a curriculum “Add A Little”? Because that’s exactly what this curriculum is designed to do – add a little enhancement to your child’s development. Through games, crafts, activities, books, and songs, AAL inspires a love of learning. This light curriculum was developed with the busy parent or caretaker in mind.
Academic Focus for 4 Year Olds
Generally speaking, Kindergarten begins at age 5, that means 4 year olds are in their final year of preparing for Kindergarten. With that in mind, the Add A Little Curriculum (AAL) for 4 year olds includes an intentional but gentle focus on four areas of preparation for Kindergarten: Alphabet, Numbers, Fine Motor Skills, and Broad Knowledge. In every unit, either the Ready, Set, Move activity or the Explore, Learn, Create craft will have a strong academic focus touching on these areas.
Want to know more about preparing for Kindergarten? Check out: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/ready-for-kindergarten-academically/
Don’t forget to read the Tips for Success below.
Table of Contents
Each Unit Includes:
- Theme
- Ready, Set, Move
- Explore, Learn, Create
- Let’s Sing
- Let’s Read
- Let’s Sing a Christian Song
- Let’s Read the Bible
Units
Tips for Success When Using Add A Little Curriculum
Disclaimer
Helpful Links
Each Unit Includes:
Theme
Every unit has an engaging theme selected specifically for 4 year old. These themes aim to introduce more advanced and interesting topics to your child.
Ready, Set, Move
Physical exercise plays a vital role in healthy brain development. That’s why every unit includes a game to get kids up and moving.
Explore, Learn, Create
Not only are crafts engaging for most preschoolers, these activities are also a fantastic way to develop the fine motor skills needed for writing with proper pencil grasp.
Let’s Sing
Preschool action songs are not only fun, they are valuable for developing language skills, vestibular sense, and proprioception. Many of the songs used in AAL also have educational elements making learning fun.
Want more song ideas? Check out this list of Simple Preschool Songs: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/big-list-of-simple-preschool-songs/
Let’s Read
If you want your child to love reading later, teach them to love books now. Reading together grows vocabulary and broad knowledge. It also gives an excellent opportunity for gently introducing science and social skills. Regardless of whether you read the exact books recommended in each unit or not, taking the time to regularly read high quality books with your children will reap huge rewards.
Pinterest links:
- Books for Preschoolers and Toddlers: https://ca.pinterest.com/sjlittleauthor/books-for-preschoolers-and-toddlers/
- Longer Books for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners: https://ca.pinterest.com/sjlittleauthor/longer-books-for-preschoolers-and-kindergarteners/
Let’s Sing a Christian Song
Beyond all the general benefits of singing, Christian songs instill timeless truths in your child’s heart.
Want more Christian songs? Visit: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/7-simple-christian-songs-for-preschoolers/
Let’s Read the Bible
4 year olds are ready for regular children’s Bible reading. There will not be specific Bible stories suggested with each unit. Instead, pick up “The Beginner’s Bible” and make a habit of reading one story per day, or one story per week, and read your way through the whole Bible.
For more information visit: https://www.thebeginnersbible.com/products/
Units
Every month, one new unit is released. Here is a list of units that have already been released:
Tips for Success When Using Add A Little Curriculum
- Writing Their Own Name: While learning to write the ABCs is generally considered a kindergarten skill, learning to write one’s own name is a great skill for 4 year olds. While there are many techniques for doing this, one gentle way to make a habit of practicing name writing is to have your child write their name on the back of every craft they do. Don’t expect perfection. Don’t worry about pencil grasp yet. Keep it fun. Their skill will slowly improve.
- Engage: Engage with your children. Be interested and involved in the learning fun.
- Adapt: Read the lesson ahead of time and be prepared to adapt. Units don’t have to be followed exactly.
- Teach the Next Thing: Watch what your child is capable of doing independently, then teach them how to do the next thing.
- Read: Look up the unit theme at your local library to find more books you can borrow for low cost. Then read, read, read to your kids. A love of books is foundational for leaning to love reading by themselves.
Want More?
Do you want to receive notification of each new unit of the Add A Little 4 Year Old Curriculum when it is released? Join S. J. Little’s preschool email list today.
Disclaimer
All activities require adult supervision and discretion.
Every aspect of the Add A Little Curriculum is suggested with the expectation that it will be done under adult supervision. Some activities include potential hazards. You and your child(ren) participate at your own discretion.
Every child, family, setting, and circumstance is different. Recommended tips and/or activities in this curriculum may work well for some children but not for others. Adult discretion is required. In some cases, you will need to adapt the curriculum to fit you and your child(ren)’s specific needs.
Helpful Links
Smoother Transitions: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/smoother-transitions/
Books for Preschoolers and Toddlers: https://ca.pinterest.com/sjlittleauthor/books-for-preschoolers-and-toddlers/
Longer Books for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners: https://ca.pinterest.com/sjlittleauthor/longer-books-for-preschoolers-and-kindergarteners/
Toy Rotation: https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/toy-rotation/
Getting Ready for Kindergarten https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/ready-for-kindergarten-academically/
Scissor Skills https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/scissors-and-preschoolers/
