Preschool Curriculum

Language and literacy development is woven into every part of the preschool experience at AFS. Through hands-on activities, independent exploration, and rich classroom conversations, students build foundational skills in reading, writing, and communication.

The environment is filled with opportunities to engage with language—objects are labeled, students write in journals, and their stories are recorded and celebrated. Daily read-alouds spark thoughtful literary discussions, encouraging comprehension and reflection.

Children learn to recognize and write their names, identify uppercase and lowercase letters, connect letters with sounds, and express their thoughts through both spoken and “kid-writing.” These early experiences foster a love of language while supporting confident self-expression and meaningful literacy growth.

In the Preschool program at Abington Friends School, cognitive development unfolds through playful exploration and discovery.

Young children begin to make sense of the world in different ways—some by building and taking things apart, others by asking questions or observing carefully before jumping in. These natural learning styles are supported through activities that introduce early math concepts in joyful, hands-on ways.

Children sort and count objects, explore patterns, identify shapes, and compare sizes, all while building a foundational understanding of numbers and relationships. They also engage with spatial concepts like “over,” “under,” and “between,” which supports both mathematical thinking and language development. Through these experiences, preschoolers grow as curious, confident learners who are laying the groundwork for a lifelong relationship with math.

Art and music are integral to our preschool program, offering young children meaningful opportunities to express themselves and explore the world around them.

In the art studio, students are introduced to a variety of materials and techniques—clay, paint, collage, and more—while developing confidence and creativity. Artistic exploration is both individual and collaborative, often extending and deepening classroom studies. The focus is on creative expression and building each child’s identity as an artist.

In music class, children engage in joyful, community-centered experiences that lay the foundation for musical independence.

Through singing, movement, drama, instruments, and playful exploration, students learn to listen, perform, and create music. These experiences help children take creative risks, develop communication skills, and feel the power of contributing to something larger than themselves. In both art and music, the whole child—body, mind, and spirit—is fully engaged.