Early Childhood Programs

MOM's Group
St. Matthew's MOM's Group is for mothers and young children, ages 0-4. Through this organization, mothers with young children have many opportunities to connect with other Christian mothers for fellowship & support. We offer a range of activities throughout the year including:

• Playgroup & devotion at church
• Community activities such as Midwest Twisters and McDonalds
• Summertime park play dates and children's bible stories
• Service at church Advent and Lenten dinners

...and more!

For more information about MOM's Group, please contact Alicia Dahl (608-792-9220) or Michele Cleary (262-646-2525).

Story Time
Once a month, we offer an evening family story time.  This program usually takes place on the third Thursday of each month during the school year.  Come and listen to a Bible story, do a craft, hear stories related to a monthly theme, and enjoy some fellowship with other families with young children.  We meet in the 3K/4K classroom from 6:00 to 6:45.  For more information or for exact dates, contact Andrea Neumann at 262-912-6060, ext. 36 or her.

Preschool Power Hour
Early Childhood Education begins at St. Matthew’s with a special one-of-a-kind program for children ages 0-4. At Preschool Power Hour every child is accompanied by an adult and enjoys classes filled with great age-appropriate learning activities. Each class consists of Bible Time, large motor experiences, creative art activities, and music and rhythm fun. The children are also introduced to the world of drama and conclude the year with a special musical presentation.

These classes meet on Wednesday and Sunday mornings during September-November and again in February-April. The cost for eight classes is $20 per child. For more information and registration procedures, visit the PPH website: www.smls.org/powerhour/.

3K and 4K
For over twenty years, formal Christian education at St. Matthew's Lutheran school has started with our 4K program.  In the fall of 2009, we added a 3K program to our early childhood ministry.  Enrollment for the following school year begins every January.

Our curriculum is designed to prepare early learners for kindergarten.  This preparation involves spiritual learning, language acquisition and exploration, mathematical thinking skills, social and emotional growth, and physical development.  A variety of activities are used to engage early learners. Curriculum components include:

• Spiritual - God's Word is taught using the Christ Light curriculum found in all classrooms at St. Matthew's.  Theme-based units further explore God's creation.
• Core Curriculum - The Treasures curriculum for 3K and 4K includes language skills along with social studies, science, math, music, foreign language, and art.  Our dramatic play area reflects the themes being taught through Treasures.
• Math - Math Connects provides a variety of hands-on math experiences to teach and reinforce early math concepts.

Our 3K program is available to children who are three years old by September 1st. 3K classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 11:00.

Our 4K program is available to children who are four years old by September 1st. 4K classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  The morning session meets from 8:00 to 11:00, while the afternoon session runs 11:50 to 2:50.

3K and 4K Handbook

3K / 4K / Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Application

Kindergarten
Our kindergarten class meets all day, five days a week.

Kindergartners grow in God’s Word through daily devotions, Bible study, singing, play, nature experiences, and the fine arts.

Language Arts consists of a strong phonetic series of letter and vowel activities, “living” classic and high quality books, and a program of guided reading/whole language activities. Math is taught with the proven manipulative-based Math Connects program. The art concepts and famous artists, music concepts and composers studies, nature journaling, creative writing program and theme related social studies and science units fill out a rich learning environment.

Free Kindergarten intellectual, emotional and social screening is available at anytime to anyone who is interested.

Contact our Early Childhood teachers now. They’d love to answer your questions!

3K and 4K Mrs. Andrea Neumann 262-912-6060 (ext. 36) or her.
Kindergarten Mrs. Beth Ziel 262-912-6060 (ext. 33) or her.
Early Childhood Director Mrs. Laura Lai 262-912-6060 (ext. 46) or her.