The Science of Learning

The evidence is very clear about the optimal strategy for educating three-five year olds: meaningful exploration, hands-on experimentation and robust social play.The core value of  The Newcastle School is that optimal preschool learning does not happen using flashcards and workbooks with little ones parked in chairs but rather through a balanced approach that focuses on elements and attributes of the whole child.

For almost three decades, Newcastle Preschool has offered a comprehensive preschool program that educates the whole child, not just one part. This balanced process requires significant expertise, resources and hard work. The Newcastle preschool experience contains very deliberate doses of all the essential building blocks of Early Childhood Education using developmentally appropriate practices. Newcastle has an age-appropriate prekindergarten academic curriculum that includes literacy, reading readiness, math, and science blended with equal amounts of music, art, and free play. A 42-week thematic social studies programoverlays the academics and makes each week unique and fun. A large and unique outdoor playground affords daily vigorous play and promotes fitness. Careful attention is placed on the social and emotional development of each child and the school uses Love and Logic principles to teach empathy, mold student’s behaviors and help them become accountable for their actions. Another core value is that good Early Childhood Education is as much about building children’s attitudes as it is about building their academic aptitudes. It is the Newcastle Preschool’s intent to have children head off to Kindergarten with the attitude that says, “I recognize this world, I practiced for it at preschool.” Click on these links for summaries of Newcastle Preschool curriculum and other resources: 3-4 Year-Old Preschool Curriculum 4-5 Pre-K Year-Old Pre-K Curriculum Canyons School District Checklist: What your child should know before kindergarten Utah State Office of Education: Complete Early Childhood Education Standards