A child pauses in the hallway to study a Monet print hanging on the wall. She cannot yet read the artist’s name, but something about the painting captures her attention. She looks closely at the colors and reflections and asks, “Why?” Why did the artist paint it this way? Why does the water seem to move?
At Self Development Preschool (SDP), we have always believed that learning begins with questions. Long before children learn to read, write, or solve math problems, they are learning how to think. They notice details, ask questions, and try to understand the world around them.
Research confirms what experienced educators have long known: the preschool years are critical. During this period, children develop habits of thinking, learning, and problem-solving that influence future success in school and beyond.
LEARNING THROUGH CONNECTIONS
What has always distinguished SDP is the thoughtful design of its curriculum. A rich preschool experience is not defined by the number of activities on a schedule but by how learning experiences are connected to help children build understanding over time.
Our curriculum is organized around themes that encourage exploration from multiple perspectives. A concept introduced during science may reappear in a story, art project, music lesson, or dramatic play activity. Learning is carefully mapped so that ideas deepen from year to year. Children learn by asking questions, exploring possibilities, and discovering relationships among concepts.
AN ENVIRONMENT DESIGNED FOR DISCOVERY
Curiosity is encouraged throughout the school day. In our STEM science lab, children investigate scientific phenomena with teachers who guide them to observe, question, and discover. We want children to understand that learning begins with curiosity and grows through exploration.
Hands-on math experiences are equally important. Children count, measure, sort, graph, and compare as they develop mathematical thinking through meaningful activities. Music and movement are woven into daily routines. Classical music often fills classrooms during quiet times, creating a calm atmosphere. Students also participate in music lessons twice each week with a dedicated music teacher.
Children learn through dramatic play, block building, painting, and other creative experiences. In the dress-up center and child-sized kitchen, they practice cooperation, negotiation, and problem-solving. Block play develops planning skills and persistence, while art encourages self-expression and fine motor development.
The prints of Monet, Picasso, and other great artists displayed throughout the school reflect our belief that children should be surrounded by beauty, creativity, and inspiring ideas.
One parent described the experience this way: “We chose Self Development because when we toured the facility, my daughter saw Monet and Picasso prints hanging in the hallway and immediately fell in love with them.
PREPARING CHILDREN FOR WHAT COMES NEXT
Reading is a natural part of daily life at SDP. Classrooms are filled with books, stories, conversations, and opportunities to build language skills. Children begin learning phonics and word recognition while developing a love of reading.
A highlight of the year occurs when our four-yearolds stand before parents and friends and read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? aloud. Their smiles reflect both accomplishment and confidence.
For many years, respected educator Ms. Haschke, former kindergarten teacher at Self Development Academy, often remarked that children arriving from SDP were consistently well prepared for kindergarten. They entered school with strong literacy skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for learning.
A TRADITION FAMILIES TRUST
Perhaps nothing speaks more clearly about SDP than the families who return generation after generation. As one parent recently shared, “When I walk my son into the same halls where I once sang songs and painted pictures, it feels like coming home.”
This continuity has been strengthened by stable leadership and exceptional teacher retention. For more than thirty years, the same director, Ms. Vernetta Madsen, has guided the preschool with dedication and care.
Thirty-eight years later, our guiding belief remains unchanged: when children are encouraged to wonder, explore, and discover, learning becomes a lifelong journey. That commitment continues to shape everything we do at Self Development Preschool.
For more information, please call Self Development Preschool at (480) 396-3522.