At Mt. Olive, it is our goal to not only have large group time, but also to have the children work and play in small groups each day. We strive every day to give each child as much individual attention as possible. Because of this each class is limited in size. The three year old class is limited to 8-10 children. The four year old classes are limited to 10-12 children in each class.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool admits students of any race, color, nationality and ethnic origin. Because of the limited facilities, children of Mt. Olive will be given first consideration. Children of nonmembers whose parents have a sincere interest in Christian education and are willing to support the religious instruction of the child will then be considered in the order of applications received. Applications are subject to approval by the Pastor, the Board of Education and the Principal. All children who enroll must be 3 or 4 years of age by August 31 and must be toilet trained.

The following forms are necessary for preschool enrollment:

• Enrollment Form - Return this form along with the $50.00 non-refundable registration fee to ensure enrollment for your child in our preschool. To ensure enrollment for the 2008-09 school year, this form along with the registration fee is due as soon as possible.
• Health Forms - These forms are due prior to your child's first day of preschool. Health Assessment Form, Kansas Certificate of Immunization.
• Authorization for Emergency Medical Care Form - Both pages of this form are to be completed and notarized prior to the first day of preschool.
• Child Development Questionnaire - Both pages of this form are to be completed prior to the first day of preschool.

If you are interested in enrolling your child at Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool or if you would like to set up a time to visit the classroom and meet the teacher, please call 913-888-6293 extension 106 or email her at: shelleyhultman@hotmail.com.

A registration fee of $50.00 (non-refundable) is due upon enrollment. A monthly tuition payment of $80.00 for the 3-year-old program and $110.00 for the 4-year-old program is due the first of each month from September through May.

• 2007-08 Dates to Remember
• 2007-08 Field Trip Schedule
• 2007-08 Year End Graduation Picnic
• 2008-09 Orientation Picnic
• 2008-09 Preschool Start Dates

We will finish with a pinata and ice cream!

To help us plan for food, please let me know how many in your family will be attending.

When: Sunday - August 24, 2008 from 4:00 - 7:00

Where: Ad Astra Park Shelter
Between 83rd and 82nd and Mauer in Lenexa
Go west on 87th Street - Turn right on Mauer Rd.
Go past 83 Street and turn right into the pool parking lot
Go to the back of the parking lot
The shelter is just beyond the parking lot
If you get lost call 913-208-5817

Who's Invited? Your Entire Family

What's happening?
4:00 - 5:00 the children will play while the parents finish up paper work and get to know each other. 5:00 - 5:45 we?ll eat our Luau Diner 5:45 - 6:30 the children will make a craft and play games while the parents go through the preschool handbook and I answer questions. 6:30 - 7:00 we will finish with a pinata and ice cream!

What to bring? Please bring all of the completed preschool paperwork to turn in.

What to wear? Please wear your favorite Hawaiian outfit if you have one!

We hope that as you meet the other families and faculty members that this picnic will help alleviate some of the anxiety you and your child may feel about the new school year.

To help plan how much food we need - please call if you will not be able to attend.

School 913-888-6293 ext. 106 or at home 913- 888-5963.

I look forward to seeing you on the 24th

Preschool will begin in the fall with an orientation picnic on Sunday, August 24 from 4:00-7:00 PM.

The three year old class will begin on Tuesday, September 2 from 8:30-11:00 AM.
The four year old class will begin on Wednesday, September 3 from 8:30-11:00 AM.
The four year old afternoon class will begin on September 3 from 12:30-3:00 PM.

The block area is tied very closely to the development of math skills in young children. It is here they learn of spatial relationships and sets. However, there is more happening here than mathematics; for children integrate many of the other areas of the curriculum in their play with these materials. For example, if one's unit happens to be on animals, they'll build a zoo. If you are talking about the Bible lesson of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, they'll build the stable.

1. Size and space relationships are explored here. As a result, the more abstract math of the future will make more sense.
2. Socialization skills are practiced here. Not only is sharing of materials and space an issue, but there is also and exploration of roles in connection with dramatic play.
3. Small and large muscles are developed as blocks are carried and then set into place carefully. This takes strength as well as coordination.
4. There is a great sense of emotional satisfaction as the children delight in the structures they have created. This satisfaction is often shared with others.

In the role playing area children can play their way into understanding God's design for the roles and relationships within families. Here creative dramatics and social studies blend together. As children work on these roles and interactions, they also work on the development of their social skills.

Work in this area, although lots of fun, is very serious. Children play out feelings and struggle in their interactions. It is a place where social problems are addressed and interaction skills are developed.

There are may questions inside children's young minds: How does it feel to be a mommy? Can girls fix things or drive trucks? How does it feel to be a fireman? Pastor? Teacher? Here one can be younger or older in order to understand those older experiences, or to deal with issues left unresolved to the child.

1. It is here that children work through some of their perceptions of adult roles. Children can assume assume the roles of whom they are trying to understand, both within the family household and those people who interact with families.
2. With the assistance of actual homemade props, children can produce real life situations.
3. There is emotional satisfaction as children play through their fantasies and think about the characters they represent. It also enables children to work at the big job of sorting through what is reality and distinguishing it from fantasy.
4. Much social development occurs here. Children learn to barter, share and solve problems that deal with the feelings of others. For the most part, play in this area involves small groups and occasionally a large group when a "play" is being formed. (Initiated by the children).
5. It is in this center that we encourage the understanding of positive Christian behaviors as we relate to our families. For example, Love, Forgiveness, Helping, Sharing, Encouragement and Commitment.
6. Through the use of "prop boxes" the children are encouraged to identify with different adult models in their occupational roles. They also become familiar with the tools and vocabulary of that occupation.
7. Creativity and problem solving skills are fostered as children develop a complicated life situation that leads to language skills and story development.

Knowledge about the physical world grows out of a child's natural curiosity and urge to touch, see, hear, taste and investigate. Through a variety of hands-on experiences, children develop their ability to think and learn.

The children will learn the wonders of God's creation through scientific observation and exploration geared to the interest and experience of young children.

1. The natural environment is explored here: Watching birds build their nests, collecting insects or just watching a spider make its web. These activities engage the natural curiosity of children leading them to future exploration.
2. The basic and most important process is observation using the senses of smell, touch, taste, hearing and sight to record information about objects and events is the stepping stone for all future scientific achievement.
3. Communication skills need to be developed at an early age. Children are searching for communication outlets. The children are encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge with the group and learn to contribute to and use group knowledge. They are encouraged to ask questions and then find ways to answer those questions.

The math area is a place the children go to work alone or in very small groups to work on small motor and problem solving skills with small sized materials.

Through the manipulation of many different materials, children are introduced to the world of math. This is not only done with the unit blocks, but also with many other materials the children can count, sort and weigh. Spatial relationships and quantity are also discovered. As the children are allowed to manipulate the material, they become very involved in their play. It's hard work reinventing mathematical principles for yourself!

1. In this center with a choice of solitary or group play, the child works on social skills and learning when he/she needs to be alone.
2. There is the developing of eye-hand coordination, because many of the materials are specifically designed to assist fine motor development.
3. Some materials involve creativity in design or arrangement, and others call for a specific solution. Both skills are needed in formal learning.
4. Considerable mathematics is learned here as the child counts, matches shapes, locates the position of materials, and places objects into series or categories.
5. The variety of materials and the differing levels of experience offered allow the child to be free to use the materials that he/she is developmentally ready for, and work with these concepts at his/her own rate.
6. It offers the child the chance to develop a math vocabulary that is so necessary for the formal education that will follow.
7. If offers the child concrete materials to manipulate in order to learn the mathematical building blocks he must attain in order to understand higher math. This is all done in an atmosphere where the child is not pushed or drilled in order that the child may develop positive attitudes about learning.

The language area is divided into two areas of concentration:

1. The Reading Area
2. The Writing Area

Each area of concentration will be explained separately, with its own stated educational values and comments on the area.

The reading area is usually a quieter and calmer area of the room. Along with the monthly offering of books, we provide flannel graph and magnetic board activities. These help the children to retell the current Bible Lesson to themselves or others, as well as work on a variety of other readiness skills and concepts. The reading loft is a place where ideas are born. It can stimulate work in other centers and serves as a place of reference. It is a place where one goes to enjoy being with the books and the world of imagination and new concepts.

1. The child becomes aware that books are special items that require special handling, and that these books are used in an area that is calm and relaxed.
2. Here the child is introduced to quality children's literature. The books exhibit examples of quality art, design, plot and character development.
3. Here the child is introduced into the world of books. This is a special place where one wants to be! The desire to read is born and nurtured here.
4. Children see that books are written about a wide variety of topics.
5. Through reading, children are shown a constructive way one can seek a retreat from the busy side of life. This is especially seen in the offering of books that deal with the lessons and applications from the Bible - God's Word.

Our children become aware of written symbols at a very early age. Young children usually start by noticing and questioning signs that they see in the community along with other forms of advertising on the television. Before you know it, they are actually able to read the name of their favorite cereal or toy!

Writing is actually a picture of sound, representing our spoken language. In the beginning, children see illustrations and letters in the same category. Both represent pictures of objects they see and the spoken language they hear. Each child is at his/her own special place in the process, which is why a learning center for language arts is so very important!

1. Here is an opportunity to become familiar with our written symbol system, the alphabet.
2. This is a place to discover one's own compositional abilities and to record these through dictation for some and actual writing for those who are ready.
3. Here the child explores the world of written and spoken language at his/her own pace and place of readiness. Readiness is a condition of the child, not something that can be taught.

The main idea behind this learning center is that children are free to create, using the gifts and talents with which the Lord has blessed them. The children accomplish this through the many and varied art materials. Upon completion of each project, we ask the children to "tell us about" their creation. We also offer play-doh and other modeling mediums for the children to sculpt with. This is a very busy center. Children are especially attracted to art materials and the freedom they provide. You will hear very creative stories inspired by the creations being made here.

Art is creative. The process of creating is more important than the product. Art emerges from deep within the individual. It is best to support and encourage the child as he/she uses his/her God-given abilities to represent the world as they perceive and understand it. As in other areas of human development, there are stages of artistic growth and development through which children pass. Experiences with a variety of materials enhance this process. Each child will develop individually within his/her time frame.

1. Development of the small muscles of the hand as well as the coordination of the eye and hand in manipulating the materials.
2. Opportunity to explore a variety of art media and the chance to discover one's creative problem-solving skills.
3. Tremendous emotional satisfaction in discovering one's God-given talents and creativity.
4. Children discover and design as well as learn about the balance and relationship between objects and colors.
5. These are usually quiet activities that promote positive Christian attitudes and behaviors through relaxation and sharing.
6. Social maturity evolves with the opportunity to share ideas and solve problems with others.

Children have a natural fascination for water, sand and other mediums they can run their fingers through. This area tends to have a calming effect on children because it is so enthralling.

Children are not the only ones who enjoy this center - so do adults! So whenever you are feeling stressed out, come and play with us at Preschool in the sand and water table!

1. There is tremendous emotional satisfaction, as this is a highly tactile medium area for both water and sand.
2. Science, especially the physical sciences, is learned through play. As children experiment with wet and dry materials they are able to grasp concepts such as volume, quantity and their comparisons.
3. There is a growth in fine motor coordination through the practice in pouring and steadying containers while filling them.
4. There is an excellent opportunity for social growth; for many discussions center around the fantasy involved in this play and working together.

Young children are very active. Children also tend to value themselves on their ability to move and maneuver themselves. Because of this, they have a strong desire to develop their large muscles and coordination skills. At Preschool, we accomplish this in two ways by offering a large muscle area in the room. There you will find a balance beam and various large blocks. These items are rotated in and out of the room because of space restrictions.

The second phase of our large motor offering comes during our group activity time. We try and make it outside each day. Here the children play various games or just run to their hearts' content. If the weather is inclement, we make use of our movement records and other indoor games.

When both aspects of the program are combined, the children get a very well rounded schedule for large muscle development.

1. There is opportunity here to develop the large muscles and strengthen the muscle system.
2. This area promotes coordination of the large muscles as well as develops hand-eye coordination.
3. Opportunities for developing depth perception are offered with games involving targets.
4. This area allows for release of tension and stress reduction through acceptable physical activity.
5. The child has the chance to exhibit the Christ-like behaviors of taking turns, encouragement of others, and sharing of materials and equipment.
6. The child learns in this area how wonderfully he/she is made by God and all the different things his/her body can do.

Music and movement go together naturally for young children. Children spontaneously move to music and are inclined to sing along when dancing, jumping rope or engaging in any active movement.

1. Activities in the music center give children a chance to use music and movement to clearly express themselves.
2. This area promotes coordination as the children learn to march and practice rhythm skills.
3. The children will use their voices to glorify God with songs of praise.

In the listening center, children can listen to stories over and over again without depending on adults.

1. The listening center will help enhance children's comprehension, vocabulary and focusing skills.
2. Quality literature is introduced as the children learn good reading techniques.

Cooking with children offers a multitude of learning opportunities to develop concepts and skills in math, reading, writing and science.

Food experiences are an ideal way for integrating all areas of the curriculum and for meeting the needs of the whole child.

Food is a fantastic way to bring together your focus on all the interests and needs of young children.

1. Math skills are learned and practiced in this area. Measuring, estimating, fractions, more or less concepts and one-to-one correspondence are all skills that are developed in the cooking center.
2. Through following the directions of a recipe, reading and writing skills are developed. The children learn to discern between letters, words and sentences. Oral language is developed and vocabulary is increased as the children work together.
3. Science skills are learned as the children learn about nutrition and safety. The children learn to observe and predict what they think will happen next.
4. Social skills such as cooperation and problem solving are learned as the children work with each other towards a final product.