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Creative Corners Preschool starts new year

It is the start of a new school year at the Des Plaines Park District Creative Corners Preschool.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Terrific 3's and the Fabulous 4's & 5's began their new preschool adventure. Students spent the morning making new friends, getting to know their teachers, creating art projects and having fun. They explored their rooms, played outside on the playground and had plenty of time for imaginative play with the toys and games in their rooms.

Over the course of the year, they will learn early academic concepts such as letters and sounds, numbers, colors and shapes. They will also learn about holidays, life cycles and the world around them. Beginning this year, learning will go high-tech with new SMART Boards, SMART Tables, and Apple iPads. This technology was made possible by a grant from Rivers Casino.

The Terrific 3's program helps foster socialization and independence while introducing children to a classroom setting. Preschoolers learn to follow directions, line up and share with others in a group. Art activities promote fine motor skill development through drawing, cutting and gluing. Children are introduced to shape, number and color recognition through puzzles and themed activities. Gross motor skills are enhanced through gym and outdoor play on the playground. The 4- and 5-year-old program prepares children for kindergarten.

"We have the privilege of often being the child's first educational experience," said Margaret Nuscher, preschool director for the Fabulous 4's and 5's. "We make sure that all our children love to come to school and learn to love learning."

"Reading readiness is one of our goals," said Nuscher. "We introduce upper and lower case letters and their sounds through themed weekly units. For example, we will launch a sailboat to study the letter 'S' and pitch a tent to study 'T'."

Registration is still available for many of the Des Plaines Park District's early education classes, offering classes for children beginning as early as 18 months old. For information, visit www.DPParks.org or call (847) 391-5700.

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