EARLY CHILDHOOD THREE YEARS OLD CURRICULUM

THE ISLAMIC STUDIES PROGRAM

Students will be able...

• To be aware that Allah (SWT) is the only Creator. And He is the Creator of everyone
   and everything. 

     - Singing songs about Allah and Oneness of Allah (SWT) 
     - Answering the question '"who has created these?"
       (showing pictures of animals, birds, boys and girls) 
     -  Coloring between the lines in the word "ALLAH" in English and Arabic. 
     -  Listening to stories of Prophet Ibrahim when he was young and trying 
        to find the Creator of the world.

• To recognize that Allah (SWT) is Compassionate and Merciful to everyone
  and everything. 

     - Showing pictures of animals caring and loving their young. 
     - Listening to stories about how parents take care of babies. 
     - Showing how dry lands, plants and trees need water. 
     - Planting seeds and watching them grow with water and sunlight. 
     - Listening to the story of Hajar and baby Ismail in the desert. 
     - Identifying that Allah is the source of love, water, and sunlight.

• To inculcate belief in Prophethood and in the fact that Prophet Mohammed(SAW)
   was the last Prophet of Allah. 

     - Learning what a messenger is by acting it. 
     - Talking about Prophet Adam (the first prophet). 
     - Learning the name of the last prophet (MOHAMMED). 
     - Listening to stories about the Prophets. 
     - Learning about Prophet Mohammed as a baby. 
     - Coloring a picture of the Kaaba. 
     - Learning that the Kaaba is in Makka where the Prophet was born.

• To foster the knowledge that the Qur'an is the book of Allah (SWT) and that it was
   sent to Prophet Mohammed (SAW). 
   
     - Learning how to hold and carry the Qur'an.
     - Looking in the Qur'an often.
     - Learning the Adab of the Qur'an and practicing them daily.

• To provide experiences in learning about the basic belief of a Muslim such as: 

     - There is only one God. 
     - There is no God but Allah.
     - Mohammed is the Last prophet of Allah. 
     - The Qur'an is the book of Allah.
     - Allah has created Angels.

• To understand that Muslims are required to establish the five pillars of Islam.

      - Learning how to prepare for Salat (prayer). 
      - Practicing Salat in class by following the teacher. 
      - Visiting the Masjid (during) during prayer. 
      - Practicing being quiet and listening to Adhan (Call to Prayer).
      - Memorizing short Suras (Chapters) of the Qur'an.
      - Learning about fasting during Ramadan.
      - Watching pictures or videos about Hajj (Pilgrimage). 
      - Visiting the Masjid to put money in the Zakat (alms) box.

• To help in the development of personal self as a Muslim.

a) Dress Code: male and female.
     • Dressing up dolls as Muslim dolls.
     • Coloring pictures of Muslim dresses.
     • Learning about Hijab (Muslim Dress) from the dress of the female teacher
     • Learning the difference between loose and tight clothes.

b) Food Habits and Akhlaq while eating:
     • Learning about foods Muslims can eat (Allowed & Healthy)
     • Learning Du'a (Prayers) before and after eating.
     • Identifying things which Allah has told us not to eat.
     • Coloring pictures of food Muslim children like to eat.
     • Sharing food with each other from one tray once a week.
     • Washing hands before and after eating.
     • Eating slowly with the right hand.
     • Taking just enough food out in the plate so none is wasted. 
     • Helping the teacher, parents or other adults in clean up.

c) Islamic Behavior:
     • Being considerate to classmates and others.
     • Sharing crayons, papers, toys ... etc.
     • Working together and taking turns. 
     • Telling the truth at all times. 
     • Greeting every visitor, teacher and each other with the greeting of Islam
       "Assalamu Alaikum" (Peace Be Upon You).
     • Keeping the classroom, tables, toys etc. clean and tidy.
     • Learning to say Islamic expressions such as:
     • "Alhamdu Lillah, Subhan Allah, (All praises are due to Allah, Glorify Allah,... etc.)

THE LANGUAGE PROGRAM

To increase oral language facility and to nurture an appreciation of language.
    • To experience and understand that:
    • Language is a special gift from Allah to human being
    • Muslims are required to learn to read and write and acquire knowledge.
    • The facility with language gives a special joy and feeling of accomplishment.
    • Language is essential for communication.
    • Language has oral and written forms.

To build good listening skills.
   • To learn to listen to a speaker attentively.
   • To learn to listen to simple oral directions.
   • To learn to listen for imaginative details.
   • To learn to listen to and repeat rhymes.
   • To learn to listen to and sing songs and perform finger plays.
   • To learn to listen and recall.

To inspire to want to learn to read.
   • To be read to by the teacher once a day.
   • To learn that pictures and illustrations represent something only symbolic, not real.
   • To learn that some stories are not real (fictional).
   • To learn that pictures in the books can represent events. 
   • To try to read names and labels of some objects in the classroom.

To encourage vocabulary development
  • To try to know simple words and their meaning.
  • To try to understand comparison, through questions such as:
            Are you taller when you stand up or when you lie down? 
            It is raining and sunny today because it is wet or dry outside?
            Will a paper clip float or drown in water ?
  • To be able to match real objects and pictures, which go together.
    (match sets of objects or pictures of cups, spoons, bowls ... etc.)
  • To be able to pick out familiar objects in large detailed pictures.

To be able to discriminate between shapes, forms and symbols of the written language.
  • Finding some things hidden in picture.
  • Locating what is different between two pictures.
  • Describing what is happening in a picture.
  • Recognizing the shapes of letters.

THE ARABIC PROGRAM

To expose the child to the fact that the Arabic script progresses from right to left.
  • Opening the books from the right side.
  • Coloring or tracing over Arabic letters by moving hand from right to left.

To develop concepts that things have names in Arabic as well as in English.
  • Learning the names in Arabic.
  • Recognizing some pictures of objects and trying to learn their names in Arabic.
  • Repeating Arabic words after the teacher.

To discriminate between the sounds of the language.
  • Reciting Surat Al Fatiha and other short Suras.
  • Calling the names of classmates in correct Arabic pronunciation.
  • Learning the meaning of the names.
  • Singing some short and simple songs in Arabic.

To stimulate interest in rhythm and in words in Arabic.
  • Naming various objects in Arabic.
  • Naming close family members in Arabic.
  • Singing short Arabic songs of different rhythm and moods.

To pronounce and recite small Islamic expressions in Arabic.
  • Using Islamic expressions of Al-hamdu Lillah, Subhan Allah, Masha Allah etc.

THE ART PROGRAM

Goals

• To provide opportunities for self-expression through creative activities.
• To provide opportunities for social interaction and growth.
• To provide opportunities for fine motor coordination and growth.
• To develop creative thinking.
• To foster independent work habits.
• To build self-esteem through none guarded, non-competitive projects.
• To use form to develop handwriting skills.

Art activities are related to all other areas of the curriculum such as:
  • Coloring the sun and the moon.
  • Gluing seeds of bean or corn to write Arabic and English letters.
  • Coloring leaves of the plant.
  • Coloring pictures of animals.
  • Use boxes to make houses.
  • Coloring, cutting and pasting pictures of fruits and other objects, which begin with a specific,
     sound of a letter in Arabic and English.
  • Coloring between the lines of Arabic words from right to left.
  • Coloring pictures of Masjids.
  • Coloring flags of Muslim countries.
  • Cutting and pasting Arabic letters and numbers.
  • Coloring pictures of different shapes and sizes.

THE SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAM

Goals

To develop the feeling to be proud of their Islamic identity and Islamic heritage.
 • Learning songs about Islam and Muslims.
 • Watching pictures of Muslim children in other countries.
 • Tasting food that Muslims cook from different parts of the world.
 • Listening to stories about the great Muslims in history.
 • Recognizing how Muslims behave in their every day living.
 • Being proud that Muslims do not do some of the bad things that they may have seen on TV.
 • Identifying the different nationalities of children's ancestors in the class.

To develop the skills of sharing, helping, and the habits of taking turns and
waiting/or turns.
 • Sharing during a class the crayons, papers, toys ... etc.
 • Visiting a public place of interest together (library, zoo ... etc.)
 • Taking turns in being teacher's helper, line leader, door holder, and snack leader.
 • Listening to stories emphasizing the goal.

To develop the respect of parents, teachers and other elders, and their rights.
 • Watching the behavior of teachers and parents.
 • Using proper language and expression while talking with adults
   (not raising voices or whining to adults).
 • Keeping the noise level down in class, library, office ...etc.
 • Avoiding pushing and pulling while lining up and making room for each other to join the line.
 • Keeping the classroom clean as it belongs to everyone in the class.

To learn how to accept the authority of adults (parents, teachers, staff,
community leaders, and others)
 • Listening to the teacher and following directions.
 • Understanding and following the rules of the class.
 • Seeking the teacher's approval when not sure of the rule.

To develop the skills of caring for self and for others. And caring for personal
and group property.
 • Keeping the body, clothes and class room clean.
 • Eating the right kind of food; Halal healthy food.
 • Exercising and resting on time.
 • Taking care and keeping clean the equipment, clothes, desks, tables and the walls.
 • Putting away papers, pencils, crayons, and toys after using them.
 • Throwing garbage in the trash basket, not on the floor.

To develop a positive self-image, self-esteem and to take responsibility to
complete an assignment.
 • Recognizing names in English and Arabic.
 • Displaying art works, drawings, colorings with name in the class room.
 • Recognizing the posted names of" Teacher's Helper" " Snack Leader" 'Door Holder" '"Line Leader".
  • Trying to complete the task during art work.
 • Taking time to finish the puzzle and put it away.
 • Trying to finish the food on the plate and the milk in the cup.
 • Washing their hands with soap before and after eating and after using the washroom
   and drying them with paper towels.

To develop an understanding of different aspects of geography.
 • Taking a walk through the school building to know the location of various classrooms,
   cafeteria, Masjid, library and the principle office.
 • Taking a daily walk to the Masjid.
 • Observing the sun, feeling its heat.
 • Feeling the winds and its direction.
 • Talking about places far away (i.e. Makka and Madinah)
 • Using clay, blocks, rocks, stones, sand and water to make different kinds of landscapes.

To develop an understanding of the value of money and the need for it
And that all sustenance comes from Allah (SWT).
• Learning that parents are working hard to earn money to take care of the family.
• Playing store in the class room.
• Taking a trip to a store or market.
• Learning to share with others who do not have enough.
• Collecting money (pennies, nickels and dimes) to put them in the Sadaqa (charity) box in the Masjid. • Taking good care of property at school and at home.

THE SCIENCE PROGRAM

Goals

To understand, believe and realize that Allah is the Creator of this bountiful creation.
• To believe and realize that:
     - Everyone is created by Allah (SWT). 
     - Allah (SWT) takes care of everything and everyone.
     - We should take care of Allah's creations. 
     - We should thank Allah (SWT) for His blessings.
     - We should enjoy and appreciate nature created by Allah (SWT) and not pollute or destroy it.

To develop skills of observing, describing, classifying and problem solving.
 • Observing similarities and differences in the creations of nature: shapes of leaves,
     colors of flowers, tall and short, small and large, narrow and wide, etc. 
 • Developing ability to observe using one or more senses: touching, smelling, feeling,... etc.
 • Observing hot and cold water, solid and liquid, clean and polluted.
 • Taking nature walks and visiting the zoo, and pet shops.
 • Growing plants from seeds in the classroom windows.

To develop the ability to communicate observations in short sentences.
 • Recognizing pictures of animals and talking about them.
 • Asking simple questions to communicate their inquisitiveness.
 • Identifying signs in the immediate surroundings such as Stop Sign,
   (Hi C juice, GoGurt yogurt, Disney World, McDonald's ..etc.) 
 • Using flash cards to communicate observations.

To develop the skills of measuring, sorting, and recording.
 • Using the vocabulary words: more, less, light, heavy, small, big, tall, short ... etc.
  • Comparing lengths by putting two objects next to each other.
 • Observing objects, which will float in water. 
   (paper boat, plastic boat, rubber duck, paper clip, paper.. etc.)
 • Observing melting of ice when kept outside the freezer.
 • Observing leaves change color in the fall and the spring.
 • Observing weather changes; rain, fog, sunny, cloudy, cold.

To develop understanding of health and safety.
 • Learning about Halal (lawful) & Harem (unlawful) foods, and healthy & junk foods.
 • Learning about harmful things
   ( polluted water, electric wires, oven doors, cooking range, iron ... etc.)
 • Learning rules of crossing the streets.
 • Learning rules of personal hygiene and cleanliness (toilet habits, hand washing, tooth
   brushing, putting and taking off the shoes, buttoning shirts and coats .. .etc.)

THE MATH PROGRAM

Goals

To foster awareness of the relationship between math and Islam in the creation
of Allah (SWT).
 • To know that there is only ONE God (Allah)
 • To recognize that Allah has given us FIVE senses to observe and learn
 • To learn that Allah has sent MANY prophets to teach us and Prophet Mohammed 
    was the LAST prophet of Allah.
 • To recognize that there are MANY Muslims in the world.
 • To learn that Muslims pray FIVE times a day, and calibrate TWO Eids, and fast
   ONE month (Ramadan).

To acquire a vocabulary of numerals and quantitative words through
naturalistic and planned activities.
  • To develop a conceptual framework for the vocabulary used such as; First & Last,
    Big & Small, Long & Short, High & Low, Light & Heavy, Wide & Narrow, Far & Near,
    Tall &, Short, Thick & Thin Late & Early

To develop an awareness of sound and sequence of numbers.
  • Learn to Count up to TEN in proper order.
  • Learn that numerals stand for a sequence of objects.
  • Learn that each numeral represents the position of an object in the sequence.

To develop understanding of the meaning associated with numbers and to
identify numbers according to objects.
  • Learning the meaning of the numbers.
  • Learning the one-to-one correspondence with number and object.

To recognize numerical symbols and associate the numerals with the numbers in the set.
 • Mastering the task of recognizing the symbols representing the numbers.
 • Matching sets of objects.
 • Associating the numerals with the number in a set.

To order numerals and sets in a logical way.
 • Trying to order the numerals in the appropriate sequence.
 • Trying to put the objects in a certain order.

To compare size and serration.
 • Making comparisons between the sizes of any two or more objects.
 • Ordering objects of different sizes from smallest to largest or vice- versa.
 • Trying to understand and use relative size vocabulary, such as larger than, smaller than,
    bigger than, taller than ... etc.

To recognize shapes and forms.
 • Recognizing basic shapes: circle, square, triangle, rectangle and oval.
 • Differentiating between shapes.

To recognize the relationship between whole and parts.
 • Learning that whole consists of parts.
 • Being able to find missing parts of a whole.
 • Putting together and mastering simple puzzles.