Butterflies

Soaring to New Heights in the Butterflies Classroom at Hilltop Preschool

At Hilltop Preschool, the Butterflies classroom is a dynamic and nurturing environment designed for pre-kindergarten students, focusing on kindergarten readiness through a blend of hands-on exploration and structured learning. This classroom empowers young learners to develop independence, problem-solving skills, and a love for learning. Here’s what makes the Butterflies classroom a special place for children to grow and shine.

A Dedicated and Expert Team

The Butterflies classroom is led by a team of highly skilled early education teachers, each hand-selected for their experience, dedication, and positive influence. With a friendly and supportive approach, the staff creates a warm environment where children feel encouraged to explore, ask questions, and collaborate. Parents can trust that their little ones are guided by professionals committed to fostering early development.

Preparing for Kindergarten

The Butterflies program is tailored for pre-kindergarten students, emphasizing kindergarten readiness through a mix of group and independent activities. The curriculum encourages children to explore their environment, ask questions, and work cooperatively, fostering independence and problem-solving skills essential for future academic success.

Language Arts

Children build a strong foundation in literacy through activities like:

• Demonstrating top-to-bottom, left-to-right progression

• Distinguishing letters from words and words from sentences

• Identifying uppercase and lowercase letters

• Recognizing beginning and ending sounds in words

• Rhyming and making predictions

• Retelling or acting out stories to show comprehension

• Identifying characters, settings, and main ideas

• Printing their names and alphabet letters

• Using writing (letters, pictures, words) to express ideas

• Writing from left to right

• Naming days of the week and months of the year

• Identifying the eight basic colors

• Following one- and two-step spoken directions

Mathematics

Math skills are developed through engaging tasks, including:

• Demonstrating 1-to-1 correspondence

• Sorting and classifying objects by position, shape, size, color, and number of corners

• Identifying, copying, extending, and creating patterns

• Counting to 100 by 1s

• Identifying and drawing five basic shapes (circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle)

• Identifying numerals 0-10 and labeling sets

• Comparing sets using terms like equal, more than, or less than

• Counting backwards from 10

• Identifying coins (penny, nickel, dime, quarter)

• Joining and separating sets of objects

• Understanding half versus whole and dividing sets into equal groups

• Measuring length with non-standard units

• Using terms like shorter, longer, taller, heavier, warmer, cooler, and holds more

• Using positional words (left, right, on, off, inside, between, above, below)

Fine Motor Skills

Children refine coordination through activities like:

• Holding pencils and scissors correctly

• Cutting on lines

• Outlining and coloring neatly within lines

Gross Motor Skills

Physical development is supported through activities such as:

• Hopping on both feet and one foot (left and right)

• Marching, galloping, and skipping

Social and Work Habits

The classroom promotes essential social and behavioral skills, such as:

• Putting forth best efforts in tasks

• Taking care of school materials

• Using self-control to follow rules

Working independently and completing tasks in a reasonable time

• Following directions and staying on task

• Listening attentively and participating willingly

• Collaborating effectively with peers

Science and Social Studies

Children are introduced to engaging topics to spark curiosity, including:

• Science: Animals, plants, weather, space, earth science, magnets, float and sink, nutrition, five senses, and fire safety

• Social Studies: Self, family, friends, community helpers, holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, President's Day), and respecting rules and others’ rights

Vibrant Play Areas

The Butterflies classroom features dynamic indoor and outdoor play areas designed to enhance coordination, creativity, and motor skills. These spaces provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to explore, move, and connect, supporting both physical and social development.

A Balanced Learning Philosophy

The Butterflies program views play as a child’s “work,” with every activity—from drawing to cooperative games—coniributing to their education. Hands-on exploration is paired with structured lessons to build foundational skills in literacy, math, and social interaction, preparing children for a smooth transition to kindergarten.

Keeping Parents Engaged

Hilltop Preschool keeps families informed with monthly newsletters detailing upcoming concepts, activities, and classroom milestones. This open communication ensures parents stay connected to their child’s learning journey and can celebrate their progress.

A Foundation for Future Success

The Butterflies classroom is a place where pre-kindergarten students soar through exploration, collaboration, and structured learning. By fostering independence, problem-solving, and a passion for discovery, Hilltop Preschool prepares children for kindergarten and beyond. To learn more about the Butterflies classroom and other programs, visit their website. It’s a place where young learners spread their wings and shine!

Check out the Butterflies Classroom