If you walk into our classrooms you will hear the faint laughter of young children engaged in play and learning at our Nativity Early Learning Center (NELC). The NELC's preschool programs are designed to maximize the educational and social benefits for your child's future success. Your child will experience the joys of learning in their preschool classroom as they explore the following academic areas:
There are six areas of development that our youngest children focus on throughout their days in the preschool programs at the NELC. These areas follow the MN Early Childhood Indicators of Progress. We have also added an additional area on Religious Education.
Social and Emotional Development
Emotional Development, Self-Concept and Social Competence and Relationships
Different Approaches to learning
Curiosity, Risk-Taking, Imagination and Invention, Persistence and Reflection and Interpretation
Language and Literacy Development
Listening, Speaking, Emergent Reading and Emergent Writing
Creativity and the Arts
Creating, Responding and Evaluating
Cognitive Development
Mathematical and Logical Thinking- Number Concepts and Operations, Patterns and Relationships, Spatial Relationships/Geometry, Measurement and Mathematical Responding
Scientific Thinking and Problem Solving- Observing, Questioning and Investigating
Social Systems Understanding- Human Relationships and Understanding the World
Physical Motor Development
Gross Motor Development, Fine Motor Development and Physical Health and Well Being
Religious Education
The children will develop an awareness of God, the bible, learning prayers, empathy, respect and values through developmentally appropriate activities including being kind and loving to each other. We also celebrate all Catholic holidays.