Curriculum
Our Center offers a year-round, dynamic and engaging curriculum that is designed to foster the growth and development of each child.Our weekly curriculum themes are designed to keep learning exciting and relevant, providing children with a broad range of topics that foster curiosity and engagement. Each week, we focus on a new theme that encourages exploration and hands-on activities, all while tying into the developmental goals of the children.
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We recognize and celebrate holidays throughout the year, allowing children to learn about different traditions and customs in a fun, interactive way. In addition, we explore themes like 'Favorite Stories', where children dive into beloved books, sparking imagination and literacy skills. We also introduce themes like 'Sports', which promote teamwork, coordination, and physical activity, and 'Healthy Habits', teaching children the importance of wellness through fun activities about nutrition, exercise, and hygiene. Our 'Animals and Habitats' themes allow children to explore the fascinating world of animals, learning about different species, their environments, and how they interact with their surroundings. We also emphasize 'Family Values', promoting important lessons around kindness, respect, and responsibility. These weekly themes are carefully chosen to reflect the interests and developmental needs of young children, helping them make meaningful connections while building a love for learning.
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In addition to our weekly themes, we focus on monthly learning goals that cover cognitive development. We dive deep into specific letters, numbers, colors, and shapes, providing opportunities for children to master foundational concepts through interactive activities, songs, stories, and games. These activities are carefully designed to be fun and engaging while building a strong academic base.
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Our curriculum also includes a strong emphasis on life skills, which are integrated into daily routines and activities. These skills, such as problem-solving, cooperation, responsibility, and emotional regulation, are essential for children's overall development and help them grow into confident, capable individuals.
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Overall, our curriculum is designed to nurture children's intellectual, social, and emotional development in a supportive, engaging, and enriching environment. We believe that learning should be both fun and meaningful, and we strive to create experiences that inspire a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
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ASSESSMENTS
Our teachers conduct child development assessments twice per year to ensure curriculum is tailored to each child's specific needs and developmental level. By understanding where each child is in their growth, we can adapt our activities and teaching methods to provide the best support and opportunities for their learning and development.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS INCORPORATED INTO OUR DAILY CURRICULUM
Social Studies & Technology
In an early childhood education setting, social studies and technology play an essential role in shaping young children's understanding of the world and their place within it. Social studies focuses on helping children develop awareness of themselves, their communities, and the larger society. Through activities like role-playing, storytelling, and group discussions, children explore topics such as family, culture, geography, history, and community roles. The goal is to encourage curiosity about diverse perspectives, teach respect for differences, and help children understand the importance of working together.
Technology, when integrated into early childhood education, supports both learning and creativity. It provides tools that help children engage with their environment in new ways, whether through interactive learning apps, digital storytelling, or simple robotics. Technology encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, and it allows children to access a broad range of information and experiences that they may not otherwise encounter. In a balanced approach, technology is used to enhance traditional learning, support social development, and offer hands-on experiences that align with the developmental needs of young children.
Together, these areas foster skills like collaboration, communication, and an early understanding of the world around them, setting the stage for lifelong learning.
Language Development & Literacy
In early childhood education, language development and literacy are foundational elements that help young children grow in their ability to communicate, understand, and engage with the world around them. Language development refers to the process by which children learn to speak, listen, and understand language. This begins very early in life, as babies start to recognize sounds, then move on to babbling, forming words, and eventually creating sentences. Through interactions with caregivers, teachers, and peers, children build vocabulary, comprehension, and the ability to express themselves clearly.
Literacy, on the other hand, extends beyond spoken language and involves the skills necessary for reading and writing. Early literacy skills are critical for future academic success and include the recognition of letters, sounds, and words, as well as the ability to understand and create meaning from text. In early childhood settings, literacy is supported through activities like reading aloud, story-telling, writing exercises, and engaging with books in ways that stimulate curiosity and foster a love for reading.
Together, language development and literacy lay the groundwork for cognitive, social, and emotional growth in young children. They also foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate effectively with others. In early childhood education, educators focus on providing rich language experiences, both spoken and written, to help children develop these essential skills.
Creative Expression & The Arts
Creative expression and the arts in early childhood play a vital role in supporting children's emotional, cognitive, and social development. At this stage, children are encouraged to explore various forms of artistic expression, such as drawing, painting, music, dance, and dramatic play. Through these activities, young children learn to communicate their thoughts, emotions, and ideas in imaginative and unique ways. Art also helps them develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and an understanding of shapes, colors, and textures.
In addition, engaging with the arts fosters creativity, self-confidence, and an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Whether it’s through making a simple collage, experimenting with rhythms, or acting out stories, creative expression nurtures a child’s ability to think outside the box and builds a sense of identity and independence. Importantly, it also promotes collaboration as children work together in group art projects or participate in musical performances. The arts provide a rich avenue for children to express themselves freely while enhancing their overall development.
Early Mathematics
Early mathematics in preschool focuses on laying the foundation for more advanced math concepts in a fun and interactive way. At this stage, children explore basic mathematical ideas such as counting, number recognition, shapes, sizes, patterns, and simple measurements. Through play-based activities, they develop a sense of quantity and begin to understand relationships between numbers. For example, children might engage in games that involve counting objects, sorting by color or size, and identifying shapes in their environment. These activities not only strengthen math skills but also promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The goal is to make math feel approachable and enjoyable, fostering curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning.
Dramatic Play
Dramatic play in early childhood is a vital aspect of learning that encourages children to use their imagination and engage in role-playing activities. Through pretend play, children take on different roles—such as a doctor, teacher, parent, or shopkeeper—and act out scenarios that reflect real-world experiences or fantasy situations. This type of play allows children to experiment with social roles, practice communication skills, and explore emotions in a safe environment.
Dramatic play helps children develop problem-solving skills, as they navigate various situations and negotiate with others. It also strengthens their creativity and supports language development, as they create stories, dialogue, and narratives while interacting with peers. Additionally, this form of play promotes social-emotional growth by encouraging empathy and understanding different perspectives. Whether it’s setting up a pretend kitchen, acting out a favorite story, or creating an imaginary world, dramatic play offers children a fun and meaningful way to learn about themselves, others, and the world around them.
Social & Emotional Skills
Developing social and emotional skills in early childhood is crucial for a child's overall growth and future success. During this stage, children begin to learn how to understand, express, and manage their emotions, as well as interact with others in healthy, positive ways. They start to identify and label their own feelings—like happiness, sadness, or frustration—and begin to recognize emotions in others, which helps build empathy.
Through play, communication, and group activities, children learn important social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, cooperating, and resolving conflicts. They also develop self-regulation skills, like waiting patiently or handling disappointment, which are foundational for managing their behavior in different situations. Teachers and caregivers play a key role by modeling appropriate emotional responses, providing guidance, and creating a supportive environment where children feel safe to express themselves.
These social and emotional skills form the basis for building positive relationships, managing challenges, and developing a strong sense of self-worth. As children grow in their ability to interact with others and understand their emotions, they become more confident and prepared for future academic and social experiences.
Music & Movement
Music and movement activities support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth, all while being fun and engaging.
Firstly, music helps children develop listening skills, rhythm, and an understanding of patterns, which are important for language development and later math skills. Songs with repetitive lyrics or sounds help reinforce memory and vocabulary, while rhythm encourages motor coordination and timing. When paired with movement, music offers an opportunity for children to practice gross motor skills like running, jumping, and dancing, which are key for physical development.
Beyond the physical and cognitive benefits, music and movement also play a crucial role in emotional development. Children can express feelings through dancing and singing, allowing them to regulate emotions and build self-confidence. Additionally, these activities promote social interactions, as children often work together in group settings, taking turns, following directions, and collaborating with peers.
Incorporating music and movement into early childhood education nurtures creativity, promotes a positive learning environment, and gives children the tools to express themselves in diverse ways. It encourages both individual expression and group cooperation, providing a balanced approach to overall growth and development.
Science & Sensory
Science and sensory play in early childhood are essential components of a child's development. They provide opportunities for children to explore the world around them through hands-on experiences that engage their senses and curiosity. Sensory play, which includes activities that stimulate the senses of touch, sight, smell, hearing, and even taste, helps children learn about textures, colors, sounds, and movements, fostering cognitive and motor skills. For example, playing with water, sand, or different materials like clay encourages children to explore cause and effect, develop problem-solving abilities, and understand basic scientific concepts like fluidity, texture, and gravity.
Science play, on the other hand, introduces young children to the wonders of the natural world. Simple experiments, like mixing colors or observing how plants grow, promote critical thinking, inquiry, and a sense of wonder. Through science-based activities, children start developing an understanding of basic scientific principles such as observation, measurement, and prediction.
Together, sensory and science play foster creativity, communication, and intellectual growth. They also build a foundation for lifelong learning by encouraging children to ask questions, experiment, and discover new things through direct engagement with their environment. These types of play create a rich and engaging learning atmosphere where children actively construct their own knowledge in fun, dynamic ways.
ASL
Using American Sign Language (ASL) in early childhood is a wonderful way to support communication development and enhance language skills. Introducing ASL through simple signs for everyday words—such as "more," "please," and "thank you"—helps young children express themselves before they are fully verbal. ASL also promotes fine motor skills, memory, and cognitive development. By incorporating signs into daily routines and play, children gain confidence in their ability to communicate and build stronger connections with others, creating a more inclusive learning environment.
Cooking Projects & Family Style Dining
Incorporating cooking projects and family-style dining in an early childhood center fosters a sense of community, encourages healthy eating habits, and enhances learning through hands-on activities. Cooking projects allow children to explore ingredients, practice fine motor skills, and develop an understanding of nutrition while engaging in sensory experiences. Family-style dining, where children serve themselves and share meals in a group setting, promotes social skills, independence, and a sense of responsibility. These practices also provide opportunities for children to learn about communication and teamwork in a relaxed, supportive environment.
ZOO PHONICS
Zoophonics is a fun and engaging phonics-based program designed to teach children the alphabet and letter sounds through the use of animal characters. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a unique animal and corresponding sound, helping children to easily connect the letters to their sounds in a memorable way. For example, "A" is represented by "Annie Alligator," and "B" is represented by "Bobby Bear." The program uses interactive songs, movements, and activities to reinforce these connections, making learning both enjoyable and effective. Zoophonics helps build a solid foundation for early literacy, improving children’s reading and writing skills in an engaging, hands-on way.
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What makes Zoophonics especially beneficial is that it caters to all types of learners. The combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities allows children to engage with the material in the way that suits their learning style, whether they learn best through sight, sound, or movement.