Imagine a preschool where children curiously discover the workings of the world around them. Imagine a place where young parents bring their precious toddlers, who grow up, and, when having their babies, bring their children to the same preschool. Imagine a preschool where children see the same familiar faces year after year, and the teacher retention rate is incredibly high. For working parents, have you ever wished for a place where children are having so much fun that they refuse to go home when you come to pick them up? Yes, such a magical place is Self Development Preschool (SDP), which provides a nurturing environment where children are immersed in the joy of discovery.
SELF DEVELOPMENT PRESCHOOL’S PROGRAM
Besides having a well-qualified staff and a rigorous curriculum, Self Development Preschool’s early childhood program exemplifies what high-quality preschool should provide. Quality early childhood programs must address the four areas of growth and development: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive.
Physical development involves the development of arge motor skills, such as the movement of arms and legs, and fine motor skills, such as using hands and fingers. At SDP, a well-designed playground encourages children to frolic and play outside and participate in whole-body activities happily. Furthermore, using manipulatives, fine motor skills are developed through putting puzzles together, drawing, and other in-class activities. Social development enables children to form bonds and develop relationships. Through social development, children learn to respect and respond to challenging situations by being calm, relaxed, and collected. At SDP, children learn to interact positively with their friends. Through play, they learn to solve problems and create situations where they resolve issues and learn to respect each other.
Emotional development is the ability to recognize and express one’s feelings and understand the emotions of others. Children listen to various music, observe and examine artwork, and acknowledge their reactions and emotions. By listening to carefully selected stories, children learn to identify with different characters and can develop compassion and concern.
Cognitively, children learn about the world around them and the process of thinking, exploring, and discovering. They gain knowledge and vocabulary and learn to cooperate with others. SDP uses a rigorous and purposefully developed curriculum to help support children’s cognitive development.
Early literacy is a critical component of our program. It is not too early to expose children as young as two or younger to the alphabet through songs, books, and crafts. Three-year-olds and four-year-olds participate in prereading and pre-writing activities. They soon begin reading through letter/sound recognition, phonics, word sounding, and reading with fluency and expression.
The best early education models also value STEM programs, performance, and visual arts. Why? Because there is a combined effect of learning any field of study: math helps science, which allows music, which enables the self, which helps the world. There is value in arts or arts’ sake, but there is more value in arts for developing a complete, well-rounded individual. SDP has been incorporating arts with STEM, along with the rigor of the curriculum, for decades now.
SELF DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY’S KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
New to the School Year 2025-26, Self Development Academy (SDA) offers full-day and part-day programs. The Self Development Academy (SDA) kindergarten program prepares each student for first grade and beyond for a lifetime of learning. “By the end of their kindergarten year, most are reading fluently – with tremendous expression – if not several grade levels ahead,” said Mrs. Kathi Haschke, SDA lead kindergarten teacher.
Additionally, as students complete their kindergarten year, they author and edit their books and write grammatically complete sentences. They also have a strong foundation in mathematical thinking, including math facts, word problems, and even abstract algebra. At the end of the year, they read a selected book in front of an audience of parents, grandparents, and siblings, thus gaining confidence both in public speaking and developing a love of learning.
OPEN HOUSE FOR OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Come and experience the magic of a day in the life of your young child at Self Development Preschool and Self Development Academy’s kindergarten program. We have scheduled an Open House on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. You will learn the why of our approach, our philosophy, how we do things, and what your children will learn by participating in hands-on experiences that foster a love for knowledge and support of your child’s interest.
To learn more about Self Development Preschool, please contact (480) 396-3522. For the accelerated K-8 program, Self Development Academy, call Self Development Academy at (480) 641-2640