Our Distinguished Curriculum

Stepping With The Stones preschool prides itself in providing a strong educational and cognitive program - certainly one of the most dynamic in the state of Maine. Our program infuses learning in all aspects of school life, and encourages parents to reinforce and integrate teachings at home. Parent choice is highly respected at Stepping With The Stones.

Ultimately, our learning center fosters self-confidence, involvement, interdependence, and a strong sense of community, while having lots of fun. Celebration of life takes place here through fun and humor, singing, poetry, painting and drawing, books, dance, theatre, storytelling, fieldtrips, and in-class festivities, etc. Our mission is to create a genuine interest on and an ongoing joy for learning.

Body awareness and physical movement are also important components of the school program, with outdoor play as well as yoga instruction offered to children with Dr. Mara Crans. Field trips and visits by artists and craftspeople further enrich the school calendar.

Preschool math, phonics and science initiatives are ongoing throughout the year, along with an introduction to basic Spanish and some sign language.

Stepping With The Stones has developed a challenging and diverse graduated 3-year curriculum which centers on themes and topics relevant to our lives today. Below is a small sample of Year A Curriculum for Stepping With The Stones. Please contact us for more specific information regarding this exciting educational program.

The Young Peacemakers Club is an integral part of Stepping With The Stones preschool curriculum. Find out more »

At Stepping With The Stones, learning is infused in all aspects of the school day.

Celebration Themes: Celebrating Family, Self, Others, New Beginnings, Earth's New Life, and Passages

Subjects: Geography, Math, Language, Cultural Studies, Sensorial Exploration, Health and Nutrition, Time and Space, and Science

Quad Focuses:
Autumn, Metamorphosis, Continents, Linear Counting, Letters and Sound Recognition, Number Formation and Recognition, Columbus Day, American Flag, Pledge and Patriotic Songs, Spanish, Halloween, Shapes and Colors, Primary and Secondary Colors, Harvest Time, Self-Awareness, School as Community and Family, Peace Skills and Yoga

Vertebrates and Invertebrates, Winter Preparation and Hibernation, Veteran's Day, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Crystal Formations, Solar System, Peacemakers Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and Rosa Parks

Polar Regions, Winter Weather, Lincoln and Washington's Birthdays, Healthy Hearts, Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, St. Patrick's Day and Monthly Food Preparation

Maple Sugar Season, Insects, Spring, Passover and Easter, Earth Day, Gardening and Flowers, Seeds and Bulbs, Memorial Day, Farm Life, and Final Passage Celebration (a form of graduation each spring for all preschoolers)

"I first found out about the SWTS preschool through a recommendation made by my husband’s employer.  I’d never heard of it or the Stone family but decided to call their phone number and talk to Jerry myself and stop by for a tour.  The two biggest selling points for me were made clear immediately when I saw how much fun the kids were having and the excellent working relationships among the staff.  Being a family-run organization just was so “cool” in my opinion, and it was so obvious how much each member “loved” kids.  I would strongly recommend SWTS to other parents because it really prepares your 3, 4, or 5-year old for a kindergarten setting and gives them the basic foundations to put him/her a little bit ahead of the game academically when he/she starts kindergarten."

~ SWTS parent comment 2006-07