Pre-K At Play

Pre-K teacher, Ms. Beltran laughs with one of her students.

Have you visited Pre-K lately? If it seems like these young students are playing, you're right!  Pre-K programs provide a nurturing environment where children's natural curiosity is used as a springboard to learn skills that are necessary for success in school.  These programs can be half-day or full-day; half-day programs may take place in the morning or afternoon. At PS4, Ms. Beltran teaches two session of Pre-K each day!  With nearly twenty years of teaching experience, Ms. Beltran says, "play is important for language and social development and gives them practice with the life-long skill of sharing".  According to Anita Gurian, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine...

"The child at play is a child at work. She's not merely having a pleasant time; she's busy learning lots of things. She's finding out how her world works and where she fits in. Play helps a child scale things down to a manageable size. The years from 2 to 6 are often called "the play years" since play thrives during these years and contributes to many aspects of a child's development."

For ideas on activities for Pre-K activities, contact Ms. Beltran or click here!