Question about A Beka curriculum for preschool (x-post)

[MidnightCommando]

x-posted in learning at school

I am looking at preschools/daycare for dd (3.5) and I found one I really like. I haven't been to a site visit yet but it's a block from my mothers house and I always see the kids having lots of fun outside. I spoke with the director today and she sent me some information. The price is right and they are listed as having an A Beka curriculum.

I've been doing some searching and reading through old threads and it seems like this is a christian affiliated program. I was wondering how much, if any, religion was brought into the classroom (prayer, jesus mentioned in books, etc). DP and I are very non-religious and would not want anything 'pushed' onto DD. We would like her to explore her own religious interests when she is ready.

I know after the school time, you can opt for either a bible-study class or yoga so it seems like they are trying to meet the interests of all parties but I'm still not sure how they go about doing this using a christian curriculum. I have spoken with a few people who children have went there and hear nothing but good things. Please help clear this up so we can decide whether or not to send her there. We will be doing a site visit next week and I will be asking many questions but I always appreciate the opinions from MDC Aside from the curriculum, they seem like the perfect place for DD. They do great field trips, yoga, gymnastics, and is 3 blocks from where I work.

Thanks!!
~m~

[philia]

Religion in Abecka

I have been using this program for two years. There is not too much religion. I would say there is maybe 10% in the numbers and letters. It might be something about praying at meal time. The arts and crafts are very religious and of course the bible study for kids. I would consider that it is not teaching doctrine. It is only teaching a message about love. There is some on Adam naming the animals and God is Love, Jesus loves the little children, ect. The message is not a fear one of any sorts. Nothing about going to church . I think it is just a nice, loving, and easy message that Jesus loves them. There is no fire and brimstone about going to hell or anything. Little kids are too little to comprehend the stuff that you might be fearing. The materials are very nice. They have book sales all over the country. You can look at a book at one of these. The workbooks are not expensive if you want to order one of them or see if the school will let you look at the materials. The website also has examples of every book. They will learn that God makes everything in the bible materials. It is pretty general and non specific to any doctrine.
Philia

[philia]

philia

Jesus is mentioned but not in the numbers and alphabet work. The arts and Crafts books are pretty biblical. I think any child in this country will find out about Jesus and it would be hard to keep that from them. The materials are top quality.

[Momma Aimee]

i think it would depend a LOT MORE on the school / teacher / classrom program rather than the pubished material ...

non-christian books can be used in a very Christian cetered class and vice versa ...

just my thoughts