Manta Rays
Preschool
3 to 4 year olds
1:12 Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Maximum Class Size of 24
About the Manta Rays
The Manta Rays classroom offers a fun, engaging preschool experience where learning comes alive. Children participate in hands-on activities, creative projects, and interactive lessons that spark curiosity and encourage exploration. Our teachers keep students actively involved through games, group work, and problem-solving challenges that make learning exciting. The classroom environment supports independence, social skills, and confidence while helping each child develop early academic and life skills. Every day in Manta Rays is filled with discovery, play, and opportunities for growth in a nurturing and joyful setting.
Curriculum & Daily Activities
In the Manta Rays classroom, learning is active, hands-on, and full of exploration. Children begin each day discussing the calendar and learning the days of the week. Teachers read stories aloud and guide discussions afterward to strengthen reading comprehension, while songs and movement activities support kinesthetic learners. Math concepts are introduced through one-to-one correspondence, and the alphabet and phonics are reviewed and expanded.
Art time includes both crafts and free art projects tied to thematic units, giving children a creative outlet while developing fine motor skills. Music and movement activities are incorporated daily to keep learning fun and engaging. Throughout the day, students explore a variety of concepts all designed to foster curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.
Environment
The Manta Rays classroom is a welcoming and engaging environment where children can explore and learn. It features a variety of dynamic learning centers that are clearly labeled with information about the learning domains each center supports. The classroom includes a Dramatic Play area with themes that rotate each month, allowing children to explore different roles and experiences through imaginative play. There is also a Safe Place/Cozy Corner where children can go when they need time to reflect on their emotions, supporting their social-emotional development and well-being.
Developmental Milestones
By 4 years, children will:
Pretend to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog, etc)
Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playfround
Likes to be a “helper”
Changes behavior based on where they are (place of worship, library, playground, etc.)
Says sentences with four or more words
Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
Talks about at least one thing that happened during their day like “I played soccer.”
Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
Names a few colors of items
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
Draws a person with three or more body parts
Catches a large ball most of the time
Serves their own food or pours water with adult supervision
Unbuttons some buttons
Holds crayons or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
Why Scripps Exploring Academy?
At Scripps Exploring Academy, we believe in hands-on learning. Our preschool program balances traditional academics such as shape, color, number, and letter identification with hands-on learning experiences such as working with tongs to sort pom-poms or pour water in a sensory table. We are also invested in our students’ social and emotional wellbeing and development and firmly believe that it is a valuable part of their curriculum.
