Our Curriculum

​MNS uses Zoo-phonics®, a multi-sensory phonics and phonemic awareness curriculum which maximizes learning in all areas of Language Arts in a concrete and playful way. We supplement with Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Lessons. We use a pre-k scope and sequence for math, as well as age-appropriate hands-on science and social studies activities to provide a knowledge-rich environment for our preschool students.

Zoo-phonics® is a method developed to make children strong readers and spellers using a “phono” (hearing), “oral” (speaking), “visual” (seeing), “kinesthetic” (moving), and tactile (touching)—whole brain approach. Students actually learn the sounds of the alphabet and advanced phonemic concepts through an easily understood, concrete method of presentation.

Heggerty, lovingly referred to by our kids as the "purple book", uses nursery rhymes to introduce young students to language play. The lessons include ten daily phonemic awareness skills. By the end of preschool your students will begin to build a repertoire of classic nursery rhymes as they learn to enjoy language play!

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Stepping beyond math, science, and literacy, we use Second Step® Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. In addition to our teachers modeling positive behaviors, students learn to listen, pay attention, manage their behavior, and get along with others. Children who enter kindergarten with these self-regulation and social-emotional skills are set up for success. Each classroom has its own age-appropriate rules while utilizing positive redirection. Our students learn how to identify and manage their emotions while learning to interact with others in a positive way.

Indiana Early Learning Foundations

MNS uses the IDOE's Early Learning Foundations to guide our classroom experience. ​The Foundations are Indiana’s early learning development framework. This framework provides core elements that children should achieve from birth to age five in order to be ready for future success. The Foundations create common language and expectations for the early childhood field. The Foundations show early educators the developmental progression that typically developing young children should experience as they grow toward Kindergarten readiness.
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Indiana Early Learning Foundations Quick Glance Guide