Cottage Lake Presbyterian Preschool is a developmentally-based preschool program for three to five year olds in Woodinville, Washington and surrounding communities. Sponsored by Cottage Lake Presbyterian Church, we offer children an opportunity to interact within a caring environment, building social and academic skills in preparation for success in elementary school. Our preschool program is base
d on learning through play, which provides opportunity for each child to progress at his or her own pace. Our charming log building is the ideal environment for learning and teaching. Children can choose from an ever-changing variety of activities in our cozy play areas and experiment with art using a multitude of media! Class sizes are small, allowing teachers greater flexibility in designing curriculum to meet each child’s individual needs. Numbers and letters are everywhere, along with colors and shapes and puzzles and books and so much more. All of these things are available for the children who are ready to absorb the “academic” concepts---we make sure that they have every opportunity to soak up information like little sponges. For those children who are not yet developmentally ready for “academics,” all of those ABCs and 123s are still there in the classroom and they are learning about them, but at their own pace and through play and interaction with their peers and teachers. Ideally, they just think they are having fun! This “no pressure” approach accommodates all kinds of learners, without imposing stress. Children develop through exposure to new opportunities. Preschool can be a child’s first experience with materials like scissors, glue, paint, writing implements, etc. Cutting and pasting is not just about creating something pretty; it is also about developing fine motor skills, learning about cause and effect, developing a sense of artistic style, and so on. Socialization is key in every preschool experience. Children progress from being primarily egocentric and playing side-by-side, to communicating and negotiating with their peers for mutually satisfactory play. We help children learn to “use their words” to get what they want and need in their peer relationships. Children learn to share by asking, “Can I play with that when you are done?” This provides a win-win situation in which the child with original possession of the object does not have to immediately give it up, and the child desiring the object is assured that they will get to use it. Learning preschool routines is an important part of getting ready for elementary school. Children will learn: “What is a line? And how do I get in it?” “How do I organize my belongings so I have everything I need when I go home from school?” “Why do I have to wait to eat my snack until all my friends are at the table with me?” All of these simple concepts build a base from which children learn self-help skills as well as how to operate within a group. Simple manners are reinforced at the snack table, and uncomplicated Christian values such as thankfulness and acceptance are taught by example and songs. As our “parent” organization, Cottage Lake Presbyterian Church provides the preschool with our wonderful log building space, as well as support for our preschool staff, students and families. Preschool families are welcomed into the life of Cottage Lake Presbyterian Church, but participation is not required. Preschool curriculum is value based, non-denominational, and families of all faith backgrounds are welcomed.
