Children are provided with experiences throughout each week to discuss and explore people, the environment around them, and past and current events. Activities and group discussions focus on characteristics of people, how people affect the environment and the community around us.

Abacus has a large gym that is utilized by each class two times per day. Teachers incorporate structured games and activities during gym time, as well as time for children to lead their own play in the gym. Additionally, children are offered time each day for outside play on our specially designed, age-appropriate playgrounds. In the classroom, teachers also plan opportunities for exercise, dance and movement to rhymes, fingerplays and music.

Opportunities to practice fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are incorporated into art, language, math, science, discovery and many other areas of classroom learning each day. Children are encouraged to manipulate objects such as writing utensils, puzzles, scissors, peg boards, sorting objects, and many other materials to increase small muscle strength and control.

Language is developed through everyday experiences and conversations with adults and peers. Teachers provide a print rich environment along with materials and activities to foster increased vocabulary, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters and words, comprehension, and enjoyment of books and literacy. Activities that stimulate language and literacy development include rhyme play, songs, finger plays, story telling, read alouds, informal conversations, drawing and writing, and exposure to a variety of print and text.

Teachers provide a variety of materials that encourage children to creatively express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Teachers also provide structured and unstructured opportunities for children to explore and create with materials each day. Art and creative exploration experiences help children to develop independence, cooperative skills, listening skills, small muscle control, coordination, spatial awareness, pattern recognition, cause and effect, persistence, increased vocabulary, understanding of symbols, and writing skills.

Children are provided with materials and guidance to explore physical science, life science, and the earth and our environment. Teachers encourage children to explore and manipulate materials, try out new things, ask questions, and seek answers. Science and discovery concepts include exploration of objects and their physical properties, exploration of living things and their life cycles and habitats, making observations and predictions, comparing and classifying objects, measuring objects, using descriptive vocabulary, and applying prior knowledge and experiences to new content.

Dramatic play involves role-play, the use of props, make-believe, peer and adult interaction, and verbal communication. Classrooms include dress-up materials, a variety of pretend foods, empty food containers, dishes, kitchen equipment, multi-cultural dolls and doll clothes, housekeeping items, telephones, purses and wallets, writing materials, printed materials, puppets and much more. Dramatic play areas are changed periodically to reflect the interests of the children in the classroom, and the learning concepts for each week. Participation in dramatic play encourages problem solving, respect for materials, cooperative play, resiliency, recognition and understanding of emotions, small muscle control, coordination, writing skills, math skills, the use of symbols, vocabulary and literacy skills, and awareness of people and how they live.

Music and movement are incorporated into our program by providing opportunities for children to sing, listen, move to music and rhyme, play instruments, and imitate movement. Classrooms include various instruments and props, listening equipment, audio books, and a diverse collection of CDs and tapes.