Orange County Public Schools

The Florida Early Learning & Developmental Standards for Four Year Olds reflect the knowledge and skills a child should know and/or be able to perform within a specific age range, across 8 Domains. These standards support classroom instruction, student development and parent connections.

Domains:

1. Physical Development
2. Approaches to Learning
3. Social and Emotional Development
4. Language and Literacy
5. Mathematical Thinking
6. Scientific Inquiry
7. Social Studies
8. Creative Expression Through the Arts

Florida Early Learning & Developmental Standards for Four Year Olds

Frog Street Press is the approved OCPS curriculum used in all VPK classrooms. This research-based program integrates instruction across all developmental domains, supported by the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards.

Early Language and Literacy skills are nurtured through whole and small group instruction. Students interact daily with a Morning Message that supports Phonological Awareness, Alphabet Knowledge, and Print Concepts. Daily read-alouds provides opportunities for students to build their language skills, develop vocabulary skills, and enhance their reading comprehension through direct teacher instruction and open-ended questions.

To ensure that VPK students are kindergarten ready, rigorous instruction is delivered in the following early math skills.

Mathematical and Scientific Thinking

• Counting and Comparison Concepts
• Number Sense and Operations
• Spatial Relations
• Patterning and Geometry
• Addition and Subtraction
• Teacher provides open- ended questions to students
• Integrating STEM activities into the curriculum
• Children are conversing, discussing, and collaborating
• Concepts and ideas reinforced through student-centered activities
• Content is integrated through the use of meaningful projects
• Learning experiences to actively engage children towards deeper understanding

The Frog Street Pre-K curriculum is comprehensive; all content areas are integrated around the thematic units aligned with the pre-k developmental standards.

Outdoor learning and play is critical for the overall physical development of young children. VPK students learn how to cooperate with their peers, problem solve, engage in safe risk taking, develop large motor skills, learn the world of Science by exploring their natural surroundings, etc. while under adult supervision.

The instructional day is filled with many opportunities for open-ended art projects. Open-ended art allows an emotional outlet for young children that encourage creative expression. Secondly, it supports executive functioning skills (the ability to plan, monitor, and adjust behaviors to achieve an intended goal) and develops fine motor skills.

Materials that Encourage Open-Ended Art:

• Cardboard boxes, tubes, shapes, etc.
• Crayons and pencils
• Crepe paper
• Paint
• Playdough or clay
• Ribbon, yarn, string
• Stamps and ink

Resource: The Power of Open-Ended Materials

The Frog Street Pre-K curriculum uses Conscious Discipline; a comprehensive classroom management and social emotional program to create learning environments where children feel safe and know they are loved. Each instructional day, students are encouraged to start the day the "Brain Smart Start" way.

• Unite - Develop a sense of belonging with a song.
• Disengage the Stress Response - Smile, Take a Deep Breath and Relax!
• Connect - I Wish You Well!
• Commit - Students identify their commitments for learning.

Additionally, VPK students receive weekly mini lessons provided by district Student Services personnel using the Zone of Regulation Curriculum. The curriculum is dedicated to support and provide scaffolded strategies on how young learners can process and manage feelings and states. A major goal of this program is for all members to know and understand the Zones language. This creates a comfortable and supportive environment for the student to practice his or her self-regulation skills.