Manta Rays
Preschool
Older 3’s
1:12 Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Maximum Class Size of 12
About the Manta Rays
In the Manta Rays classroom, our potty-trained three-year-olds are able to focus fully on learning and exploration. The curriculum is theme-based and thoughtfully designed to engage and challenge each child. In this classroom, children are encouraged to reach age-appropriate milestones while exploring, discovering, and building confidence in their abilities.
Curriculum & Daily Activities
The Manta Rays have fun in an academically challenging classroom environment.
They discuss the calendar, introducing the days of the week. Their teachers read them stories which they discuss afterwards to build a strong reading comprehension. They sing learning songs and use movement for kinesthetic learners. They count and learn math through true one-to-one correspondence. They review the alphabet and get deeper into phonics.
Their art includes both crafts and free art based on their thematic unit. Art time gives them a creative outlet and helps to perfect their fine motor skills. They also have music and movement activities everyday.
Some of the concepts that they work on include, but are not limited to: the alphabet, shapes, colors, numbers, letter writing, simple words, reading text, predictions, poetry, reading comprehension, math, manners, and science.
Environment
The Manta Rays classroom is a bright and inviting space where children are encouraged to explore and learn. It features a variety of dynamic learning centers, each thoughtfully labeled to show the skills and learning domains they support, helping children engage with purpose and curiosity.
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.
