We are very proud of the creative and dynamic curriculum that we offer our eager students. Through project based learning, students tackle a challenging academic curriculum in ways that are fun, engaging, meaningful and adaptable to a variety of learning styles. Our curriculum follows New York State educational standards. In addition to comprehensive language arts, math, science, and social studies, each student attends specialized classes in music and physical education. An exciting calendar of special events and local field trips add to our stimulating programs. Our students truly develop a love of learning that lasts them a lifetime!
Our curriculum includes the following crucial developmental areas:
- Art, Music, Physical Education, Sharing and Conversation time
- Stories, songs, calendar
- Games and gross motor activities
- Fine motor development through cutting , coloring, drawing, writing and table top manipulatives
- Hand writing
- Beginning Reading, letter recognition, sight words, and introduction to phonics
- Early Mathematics, number recognition, counting, and introduction to addition and subtraction
- Field trips throughout our community
- Science and Nature activities
- Celebration of all holidays, Seasonal activities and birthdays
- A myriad of additional nurturing and educational experiences
This is where it all begins… Pierce is a child’s introduction to formal education, providing a positive experience, and setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning. Pierce is a place that smiles…a happy, secure and active place.
Our curriculum is developmentally appropriate and supports children’s growth- socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Our students have countless experiences that help them to grow into compassionate and caring individuals.
“Education is not the filling of a pail,
but the lighting of a fire.”
~ William Butler Yeats
Academics
Parents consistently tell us how much they appreciate the pervasive loving, nurturing atmosphere that surrounds all of us here at Pierce.
Clearly we recognize the importance of early childhood education in establishing how children see themselves. Included in Pierce’s curriculum are concepts that touch upon all academic, cultural and physical aspects of education, providing a well-rounded program. Guided by their teachers, students are allowed to mature at their own pace, finding challenge – and success – in a variety of classroom experiences such as science, writing, math and dramatic play.
We pledge to provide a wonderland of opportunity and discovery that builds upon our children’s natural curiosity. Our learning programs will focus on meeting the child’s total developmental needs.
Music
Music speaks to children and sparks learning. It boosts memory and fosters body awareness and motor skills. It has been our experience that children’s love of music and rhythm provides the perfect opportunity for continued creative learning and the resources for life-long enjoyment.
Our very talented music specialist Steve Belfer (Mr. Steve) meets with each class twice weekly. Each class puts on two spectacular fine arts performances for family and friends at our beautiful Clubhouse each school year.
Performances are scheduled at mid-year for a festive holiday presentation and at the end of the school calendar. These performances help with the growth of confidence and self esteem in our young students as they entertain their parents & friends on stage.
“You are the music while the music lasts.”
– T.S.Elliot
The Arts
The arts teach young people how to learn by giving them the first step…The desire to learn! Art has traditionally been an important part of early childhood programs. We believe that children should be involved in making art and enjoying the art of others.
Young children feel a sense of emotional satisfaction when they are involved in creating works of art. Whether they are modeling with clay, drawing with crayons, or making a collage from recycled scraps, satisfaction comes from the control children have over the materials they use and the autonomy they have. Deciding what they will make and what materials they will use may be among the first opportunities children have to make independent choices and decisions.
The arts program here at Pierce offers our children countless opportunities to express themselves.
Our “Little Rembrandts” program provides children exposure to some of the masters of the art world. Jackson Pollock, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Leonardo DaVinci, Michaelangelo Buonarroti, Claude Monet and Georgia O’Keefe all become a part of our “Literature Based Painting” art program.
Our teachers support this program with stories about the artists, posters displaying their works of art and then the opportunity for our young artists to create their own interpretations. Our student’s artwork is proudly displayed at our “Breakfasts at Pierce” events for Parents and friends to enjoy.
Physical Education
Ongoing physical education is a regular part of our programming here at Pierce. Sports, Creative Movement, Aerobics, Yoga, Gymnastics and Free Play help to enhance each child’s overall growth and development.
Play is essential to the healthy physical and mental development of a child. Play helps kids exercise creatively and develop imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive and emotional strength. Children learn how to interact, face fears, cultivate confidence and enrich their competencies and resiliency – all through play.
Pierce’s athletic facilities are the very best to be found bar none! Twenty seven acres of child-centered facilities are available to our students on a daily basis. There is something for everyone, and success for all! Meticulously groomed fields, sport courts and studios await our hustling students.
In addition to the daily program provided by our classroom teachers, our Gym Teacher is scheduled to meet with each class twice weekly. A wide range of athletic and recreational activities will be offered at age-appropriate levels.
Once the weather turns cold, we utilize our large indoor multi-purpose room and our indoor gymnastics studio for scheduled classes.
Our gym program hosts a wonderful “Winter Olympics” and culminates with a spirited day-long “Field Day” in the spring that parents are invited to attend.
Field Trips
An important part of the Pierce curriculum is taking advantage of the many local resources available to us. Field trips to the local Firehouse, the Bryant Library, Sands Point Preserve, LI Children’s Museum, Vanderbilt Planetarium, Planting Fields Arboretum, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, The Aquarium, local University Plays and more helps to broaden our curriculum while expanding our student’s awareness of the community that surrounds them.
These hands on experiences add to the meaningfulness of every unit of study. We will notify you in advance of all field trips. All costs are included in the tuition.
