Classroom Programs

Preschool, 2.5 to 3 years old

The role of a child’s first caregivers is incredibly important during these early years. The bonds children form with trusted adults at this stage create a crucial foundation for their future ability to build relationships and trust others. Keeping this in mind, our youngest classroom places a strong emphasis on social development, self-help skills, and active classroom participation. These focus areas work together to create a nurturing foundation for your child’s learning and growth.

We aim to make your child’s first school experience wholesome, engaging, and supportive, setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning. After just a few months, children quickly adapt to classroom routines, paving the way for deepening friendships and an introduction to shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. Parent-teacher conferences and in-class assessments will be conducted toward the end of the year for families to review at home.

Preschool, 3 to 4 years old

As children become more comfortable with daily routines and transitions, we introduce early literacy, math concepts, and self-regulation skills to promote independence and creativity. In this classroom, children begin tracing their names, identifying letter sounds, writing some capital letters, counting up to ten, sorting objects by shape and color, and recognizing similarities and differences. They also develop fine motor skills by using scissors and drawing a person with at least four body parts.

Children are encouraged to speak in full sentences, tell and recall stories, and use their imaginations. Social skills such as cooperating with peers, taking turns, beginning to manage emotions, and solving simple problems with adult support are also emphasized.

Pre-K, 4 to 4.5 years old

With many children returning for their second or third year at Lakeside, our pre-K program is designed to help children build essential skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. In this program, children strengthen fine motor skills with hands-on tasks such as cutting and drawing, and learn to follow multi-step directions. Our Art Studio program invites children to explore art in many forms, promoting creativity, hands-on skill building, and personal expression. Throughout the year, students develop foundational abilities in literacy, math, and social-emotional learning. Our Pre-K classroom is an engaging space where children grow in academic readiness, social skills, and independence as they explore and learn through meaningful play.

TK, 5 years old with June to December birthdays

Our Transitional Kindergarten program focuses on building a strong foundation in literacy, math, and independent learning to prepare students for their next academic step. Through hands-on activities and exploration, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and other essential cognitive skills. We support the growth of independence, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning, while also encouraging compassion and awareness of the world around them. Our program features Art Studio, where children express themselves through a variety of artistic mediums, cultivating creativity, fine motor skills, and confidence. Our well-rounded curriculum includes engaging experiences in the creative arts, cooking, science, math, and early literacy, helping each child grow into a confident and capable learner.

With many Lakeside pre-K and TK students moving on to local parochial schools, our program is designed to equip them with the skills and confidence they need for a smooth transition into kindergarten.