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 P R E S C H O L A
"Considering the great value of a child in the sight of God, it follows that its education must be of the utmost importance, especially its early education. All who labor in the garden of the Lord, all those I mean whose duty it is to educate youth, ought to lay this to heart, for education cannot begin too early. Therefore the mental and, more especially, the religious education of the child should be commenced as soon as possible, and should keep pace with its physical development. Every child possesses qualities and capacities which slumber within its breast. It is easy to develop them within the tender mind." -- Rev. Lasance |
Book List for Pre
How sacred is a little child,
Simple as yet and undefiled;
His angel, we are told, stands nigh
To the bright throne of God on high.
A child! What mystery in this word!
A child was once our Blessed Lord,
Assuming our mortality,
That thus God's children we might be.
-- Rev. Lasance
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The Pre Schola level, which is meant for children from birth up until four or five years old, is a time for wonder and discovery.
The Pre Schola curriculum is filled with rich literature to be read aloud or listened to on audio and beautiful artistic images to enhance their learning. Also included is an instructional DVD on the Mass and an interactive CD with images and words to learn both the English and Italian languages.
Emphasis is placed on beginning to learn the truths of the Catholic faith, learning to recognize and count numbers up to one hundred, learning to sing and sound out the letters of the alphabet and learning how to correctly pronounce over thirteen hundred words in English and Italian through picture association.
Informal study at this level should be educational yet fun. This is why the hands-on educational activity list has been included. Children learn through memory games, singing enjoyable songs and practicing their fine motor skills with building blocks and train sets.
Schedule
Ten to fifteen minute intervals of learning between each activity is suggested. The following can be broken down into smaller periods of time for the very young:
1) Catholic Studies: 30 mins.
2) English/Italian Studies: 60 mins.
3) Latin Studies: 30 mins.
4) Music Studies: 30 mins.
TOTAL: 2-3 hours daily
Goals
Once your child has achieved the following in both English and Italian, he/she is more than ready to advance to the level 1 curriculum of studies:
- Know for memory the Catechism answers.
- Know for memory the prayers of the Rosary.
- Can recognize and speak the sounds and letters of the alphabet.
- Can recognize and speak the numbers up to one hundred.
- Can recognize and speak the words learned in the bilingual dictionary CD.
- Able to give back a brief synopsis of a story after being read aloud.
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