Growing independence, friendships, and a love of learning
Three’s Program at GMPS
The 3’s year is an exciting step forward. Children are more comfortable with the routines of school and ready for a longer day, deeper friendships, more independence, and increasingly intentional learning experiences.
This is the year children begin to see themselves not just as part of a classroom, but as part of a community.
3’s at a Glance
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. school day · Optional Enrichment until 1:30 p.m. · Two-teacher classroom teams · 8:1 ratio
A Longer Day, More Opportunities
The 3’s school day runs from 9:00 am –12:00 pm, giving children more time for free play, small-group experiences, outdoor learning, circle time, and classroom routines.
Children may also extend their day through Enrichment from 12:00–1:30 pm, with lunch and additional hands-on experiences with friends.
9:00-12:00
Regular 3’s school day
12:00 – 1:30
Optional Enrichment
Learning Becomes More Intentional
Circle time becomes more structured in the 3’s as children are ready to participate for longer periods, listen as part of a group, contribute ideas, and begin more intentional early academic experiences.
This is when we introduce Math Counts, our developmentally appropriate preschool math curriculum, Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, and the early foundations of Handwriting Without Tears through playful experiences such as Mat Man, big and little lines, and big and little curves — while continuing to teach through play. Learn more about Math & Early Literacy at GMPS
During free-choice time, teachers intentionally create opportunities for children to build skills in:
Open-ended process art gives children opportunities to experiment, make decisions, and develop their own ideas.
Learn more about Process ArtMath
Counting, sorting, patterns, quantities, and problem-solving
Literacy
Language, books, sounds, storytelling, meaningful print, and playful Handwriting Without Tears experiences with Mat Man, lines, and curves that build early writing readiness.
Science
Observing, experimenting, investigating, and asking questions
From Playing Beside Friends to Playing With Them
One of the biggest changes from the 2’s to the 3’s is social.
In the 2’s, children often engage in parallel play — happily playing alongside one another. In the 3’s, they become much more aware of their classmates, learn one another’s names, begin looking for favorite friends, and move toward cooperative play.
Teachers support the skills that make friendships possible: communicating, taking turns, joining play, solving problems, and working through disagreements.
Friendships really begin to take shape in the 3’s.
“I Can Do It Myself!”
Independence grows tremendously during the 3’s year.
Children are encouraged to take more responsibility for everyday school routines — putting their “mail” in their backpack, managing belongings, putting on coats, and being responsible for a weekly classroom job.
Zipper Party!
Near the end of the year, we celebrate when the children have mastered the very important preschool skill of zipping their own coats.
A Big Year of Growth
The 3’s year is a bridge between the first school experiences of the 2’s and the growing confidence of Pre-K.
Children leave the year more independent, more connected to their classmates, more comfortable participating in a group, and increasingly curious about the world around them.
They are learning how to be a friend, how to be a learner, and how to do more for themselves.
Related GMPS Resources
Written by Karen Coan, M.A. in Education, Director of Glenview Methodist Preschool
Last updated: October 2026