Mini Maples Preschool Program
AGES 3 to 4 years
BUILDING A SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL FOUNDATION
In our Mini Maples classroom, children begin to spread their branches with confidence as they become more independent, curious, and eager to explore the world around them. Building upon the strong social-emotional foundation developed in our younger classrooms, our three-year-olds are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, think creatively, and develop a love of learning through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
At this stage, children are learning to become thoughtful classmates and confident communicators. They strengthen friendships, practice teamwork, develop empathy, and learn to express their thoughts and feelings with kindness and respect. Through daily opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, take turns, and solve conflicts with teacher guidance, children develop the confidence and resilience that prepares them for future success.
Growing confident learners, kind friends, and curious explorers.
DISCOVERY BASED CURRICULUM
Our discovery-based curriculum is centered around engaging monthly themes that spark curiosity and imagination. Throughout the year, children investigate topics such as community helpers, health and safety, the changing seasons, animals and their habitats, the Five Senses, insects, birds, weather, emotions, nature, and the amazing world around them. Each theme comes to life through stories, science exploration, sensory experiences, dramatic play, art, music, cooking activities, learning centers, and outdoor discovery.
As independence continues to blossom, children take increasing responsibility for themselves and their classroom community. They learn to care for their belongings, complete classroom jobs, make thoughtful choices, follow multi-step directions, transition independently, and proudly contribute as helpful members of our classroom family.
Language and early literacy flourish through rich conversations, interactive read-alouds, storytelling, songs, poetry, and daily phonics instruction. Children strengthen letter recognition, letter sounds, name recognition, and begin recognizing classmates’ names. They develop early reading readiness while building confidence in expressing their ideas and asking thoughtful questions.
Mathematical thinking grows through hands-on exploration as children learn number recognition, counting, sorting, patterns, measuring, sequencing, graphing, and simple problem-solving. They begin tracing and forming letters and numbers while strengthening the fine motor skills needed for writing. As children are developmentally ready, they also begin learning important personal information, including their full name, address, and phone number.
Learning centers remain an important part of every day, allowing children to explore, imagine, create, investigate, and practice new skills through purposeful play. Whether building with blocks, creating artwork, conducting simple science experiments, pretending in dramatic play, or discovering something new outdoors, every experience is thoughtfully designed to build confidence, independence, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Wind ’n Willow, we believe every Mini Maple is growing stronger each day. As their roots deepen and their branches reach higher, our children become confident learners, compassionate friends, creative thinkers, and joyful explorers—developing the skills, character, and curiosity that will prepare them for Pre-K and beyond.
WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN
At Wind ’n Willow, we believe learning should inspire wonder, nurture confidence, and encourage children to become compassionate, capable, and enthusiastic learners. Every day in Mini Maples is another opportunity to grow stronger, reach higher, and discover just how much is possible.
🍁 Social & Emotional Growth
- Build meaningful friendships and strengthen teamwork
- Develop empathy, kindness, and respect for others
- Express thoughts, feelings, and ideas with confidence
- Solve simple conflicts using words and problem-solving strategies
- Build resilience, confidence, and independence
- Practice responsibility and leadership within the classroom
🌱 Independence & Responsibility
- Follow multi-step directions
- Complete classroom jobs and routines independently
- Care for personal belongings and classroom materials
- Make thoughtful choices and solve everyday problems
- Transition confidently throughout the school day
📚 Early Literacy & Language
- Recognize and write their name
- Recognize classmates’ names
- Identify uppercase and lowercase letters
- Learn letter sounds through daily phonics instruction
- Build vocabulary through stories and conversation
- Develop pre-reading and early writing skills
🔢 Math & Critical Thinking
- Count with confidence
- Recognize and write numbers
- Sort, classify, compare, and create patterns
- Measure, sequence, graph, and estimate
- Develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills
🔬 Discovery & Exploration
- Investigate science through hands-on experiments
- Learn about nature, animals, weather, and the world around them
- Explore through sensory activities, art, music, movement, cooking, and dramatic play
- Strengthen creativity, imagination, and curiosity through purposeful play
