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Early Childhood

Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph’s early childhood program (Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) is a NAEYC® accredited, center-based program that offers exceptional learning experiences for young children. Designed to align with developmental milestones, our activities cater to the unique needs of each student. Teachers provide individualized attention, focusing on key educational and developmental goals:


Physical Development

Visual Perception

Fine Motor Skills

Auditory Perception

Gross Motor Skills

Personal Development

Social Development

  
 
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Your child’s daily schedule at Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School is designed with NAEYC® best practices in mind, ensuring a balanced mix of quiet and active play, large and small group activities, and opportunities for independent or social play. Each day includes self-selected and teacher-directed activities, fostering autonomy and skill development. Children learn self-help skills such as toileting, dressing for outdoor play, and washing hands while also engaging in classroom tasks like table-setting and cleaning up. Outdoor play, twice a day on our playlot with a play structure, promotes physical activity, social interaction, and gross motor development. NAEYC® guidelines emphasize the importance of a balanced, play-based environment, ensuring children have meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences throughout the day.

 

Early Childhood Program Curriculum Highlights 

  • Handwriting Without Tears®
    A research-based program providing multisensory, developmentally appropriate tools for teaching handwriting. This aligns with NAEYC®'s focus on fostering fine motor skills and individualized learning.

  • RULER (SEL) Program
    An evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER helps the ICSJ community:

    • Understand the value of emotions
    • Build emotional intelligence skills
    • Create and maintain a positive school climate
      NAEYC® recognizes the importance of emotional development in early childhood, making this program an integral part of our curriculum.

  • Illinois Early Learning Standards
    ICSJ faculty design hands-on, interactive, and child-focused lessons aligned with these standards, ensuring that learning is centered on students' interests. This approach follows NAEYC®'s recommendation to provide developmentally appropriate, child-driven learning experiences.

  • Heggerty Phonemic Awareness & CKLA
    Students develop phonological awareness and early literacy skills through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities. In addition to Heggerty, the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) program supports phonics instruction through structured, systematic lessons that build literacy skills. Both approaches align with NAEYC® principles by promoting language development in a supportive and creative environment.

 

Additional Kindergarten Curriculum Highlights

  • SAVVAS enVision Math
    This interactive, standards-based math program emphasizes problem-solving and conceptual understanding. It uses visual learning and engaging activities to help students develop a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning, number sense, and critical thinking skills.

  • Amplify Science
    The Amplify Science program provides hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that foster a love for science. Through exploration and experiments, students develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts and learn to think critically and solve problems.

  • CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts)
    The CKLA program in Kindergarten builds strong foundations in language arts through a combination of phonics, vocabulary development, listening, and comprehension skills. The curriculum is carefully designed to promote literacy, communication, and a love for reading.

  • Sadlier Religion
    Sadlier Religion in Kindergarten fosters spiritual growth and helps children develop a strong understanding of Catholic values and teachings. Through engaging lessons, students learn about God’s love, prayer, and the importance of living in a faith-filled community.

  • HMH Social Studies
    The HMH Social Studies curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to understanding the world around us. Kindergarten students explore topics such as community, geography, and history, developing an understanding of their role in the world and the importance of respecting diverse cultures and perspectives.

The early education classrooms are large and bright and they allow ample space for students to move and play freely. All preschool and junior kindergarten classrooms are equipped with their own water fountains and student restrooms.

 
ICSJ is proud to have earned NAEYC Accreditation since 2006.