Curriculum
Our comprehensive early childhood curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs and differences of all children. Throughout the day students are engaged in a wide variety of stimulating, enriching activities. These activities are carefully planned so that students are exposed to large-group, small-group and one-on-one teacher time. Our day has structure with flexibility so we may focus on each child’s interest and abilities. Our curriculum covers many subject areas such as literacy, math, science, technology, health and nutrition, creative expression, arts, social studies, and languages. The curriculum engages students through many different and exciting monthly themes along with encompassing all aspects of a child’s developmental domain (social, emotional, cognitive and physical).
Social growth focuses on the development of skills for interacting with others. Social skills such as cooperating, negotiating, and problem solving can only be obtained in real life situations such as the classroom. Our classroom activities are designed to provide children with opportunities to develop necessary social skills. Students develop independence and are able to make decisions while actively exploring new ideas and experiences.
Emotional growth refers to the development of self esteem and self control. We believe it is important to foster positive self esteem by caring, paying attention and listening when students are speaking. They are encouraged to explore new things and if mistakes happen, these are valuable lessons for the student’s confidence that we build on. We continually offer positive praise and encouragement. Students feel more secure and have better self control when there are clear rules. Students are aware of what to expect in the classroom and are given gentle reminders, when needed.
Cognitive growth centers on the mind and how it works. By using a multiple intelligence approach to our curriculum, children have the opportunity to discover the way they learn best. Letter and number recognition, letter sounds, and letter and number formation can be great fun when students are learning them through multiple aspects. Whether it’s learning them through dancing, singing, playing games, making a recipe, writing in colored shaving cream, paint bags, play dough; we learn in many exciting and inventive ways.
Physical growth centers on the development of the body and physical health. During outdoor play children are provided the opportunity to run, climb, jump and play independently. During indoor play our program includes yoga, brain gym and basic physical fitness. It is designed to be integrated into all aspects of the day in order to develop motor skills and for physical fitness.
Assessment - Individual assessments are performed at the beginning and end of the year with a recheck in the middle of the year. Throughout the year children are observed and assessed for other strength and needs.
Results are shared with parents and conferences discuss student progress. Assessments are also use to identify children that may require referral to the local public school for diagnostic assessment.
Our comprehensive early childhood curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs and differences of all children. Throughout the day students are engaged in a wide variety of stimulating, enriching activities. These activities are carefully planned so that students are exposed to large-group, small-group and one-on-one teacher time. Our day has structure with flexibility so we may focus on each child’s interest and abilities. Our curriculum covers many subject areas such as literacy, math, science, technology, health and nutrition, creative expression, arts, social studies, and languages. The curriculum engages students through many different and exciting monthly themes along with encompassing all aspects of a child’s developmental domain (social, emotional, cognitive and physical).
Social growth focuses on the development of skills for interacting with others. Social skills such as cooperating, negotiating, and problem solving can only be obtained in real life situations such as the classroom. Our classroom activities are designed to provide children with opportunities to develop necessary social skills. Students develop independence and are able to make decisions while actively exploring new ideas and experiences.
Emotional growth refers to the development of self esteem and self control. We believe it is important to foster positive self esteem by caring, paying attention and listening when students are speaking. They are encouraged to explore new things and if mistakes happen, these are valuable lessons for the student’s confidence that we build on. We continually offer positive praise and encouragement. Students feel more secure and have better self control when there are clear rules. Students are aware of what to expect in the classroom and are given gentle reminders, when needed.
Cognitive growth centers on the mind and how it works. By using a multiple intelligence approach to our curriculum, children have the opportunity to discover the way they learn best. Letter and number recognition, letter sounds, and letter and number formation can be great fun when students are learning them through multiple aspects. Whether it’s learning them through dancing, singing, playing games, making a recipe, writing in colored shaving cream, paint bags, play dough; we learn in many exciting and inventive ways.
Physical growth centers on the development of the body and physical health. During outdoor play children are provided the opportunity to run, climb, jump and play independently. During indoor play our program includes yoga, brain gym and basic physical fitness. It is designed to be integrated into all aspects of the day in order to develop motor skills and for physical fitness.
Assessment - Individual assessments are performed at the beginning and end of the year with a recheck in the middle of the year. Throughout the year children are observed and assessed for other strength and needs.
Results are shared with parents and conferences discuss student progress. Assessments are also use to identify children that may require referral to the local public school for diagnostic assessment.
Daily Schedule
Morning class 9:00 – 12:00, Afternoon class 12:30 – 3:30
Morning Class
* * * * * * LUNCH TIME * * * * * *
Afternoon Class
Welcome - Open Play Centers – Students wash their hands upon arrival. All the centers are open during this time. Students are free to explore and use their imagination in the dramatic play area with Castle Kordas, blocks/construction center, sensory table, manipulative and math center, puzzles, train table, dollhouse, action hero’s station, music, reading, listening center, games, coloring, books and much more. We have taken great care in creating centers designed to awaken the senses and inspire the imagination. During center time teachers continually interact with students. They may pose questions or help with problem solving skills.
Circle Time – This meeting time gives practice for many important skills. Within this time students are given many opportunities to express their thoughts and ideas. Students also participate in the meeting by being a colorful helper. This gives each student the responsibility of being a weather watcher, a calendar helper, a door holder, or even an inspector. At circle time students learn letters, numbers, letter sounds, Spanish among much more. They also discover language and literacy through stories, conversation, rhyme, and finger play. In between, we break it up with some fun fitness so that we may refocus and continue. Circle includes at least one book and even a poem. Reading to students can open new worlds to children. It exposes students to proper grammar, phrasing, and new vocabulary. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills and their social skills by enhancing their ability to express themselves verbally.
Snack – Even our snack time is full of learning experiences. This is a time for students to socialize, work on their manners and take responsibility. We express the importance of washing hands prior to any meal. Students are then guided through snack in which they serve themselves. This experience enables them to gain valuable self-help skills, making decisions skills and gain confidence. We stress the importance of manners and have children use manners such as “yes please” and “no thank you”. At the end of the snack, students clean up after themselves, including taking care of any recycling materials from snack.
Outside play – At outside play students are provided the opportunity to run, climb, jump and play independently. Outside play helps develop gross motor skills, spatial awareness, conflict resolution and cooperation. Students need to move and experiment in order to master balance, improve coordination and develop both large and small muscle groups’ muscles. Through outdoor play children gain confidence and body awareness. Students are given the opportunity to choose either independent or teacher directed activities. Teacher and students play one-on-one basketball games, toss across, 4 square, ghost-ghost- bat, red-light green-light etc.
Lesson and Monthly Theme Discussion – Lesson time focuses more on letters, numbers, letter sounds, and math concepts such as counting, graphing, sequencing and patterning. The monthly theme is interwoven throughout the daily curriculum but at this time there may be more focus or concentration.
Learning Centers - Centers are both teacher directed and student initiated. Students are able to make independent choices and develop areas of unique interest. Centers allow students to engage in active, hands-on, concrete experiences and ongoing interaction with appropriate materials, equipment and people in the learning environment. Learning centers are created to appeal to a full range of children’s intelligences. We ensure that the toys throughout the centers will intrigue and engage a student in constructive play. Students will learn positive social/emotional skills such as; sharing with others, helping each other, being responsible, taking care of property and cleaning up. In our learning centers we look for toys that are powered by a child’s imagination as this improve their fine motor skills, concentration, and hand-eye coordination and also give them proactive problem solving skills.
Dramatic play center – Dramatic play sparks a child’s sense of curiosity, creativity and great imagination. It encourages self-expression and develops self-confidence. Our drama center transforms monthly based on our theme, it could be a Farmer’s Market, a Hospital or even a pet adoption center. Students pretend or make believe with the many costumes and props in the drama center. During our Community Helper theme children can pretend they are a baker, a doctor, a police officer. During the pet/vet theme each student can adopted a pet and then can take it to the veterinarian. There are many props, dress up clothes and lots of room for creativity. This center provides children with a foundation of developmental skills such as cognitive, social and emotional, physical, language and literacy and creativity. Read about all the important skills and academic success students can gain from a drama center.
Blocks/construction center - Whether it’s building towers with the colored cardboard boxes or small wooden pieces, playing with the trucks or working at the tool bench children are learning to control small muscles and how to coordinate eyes and hands to stack and balance the blocks. When building with the blocks students gain basic math skills such as counting, balancing, colors, identifying shapes, comparing sizes, learning to predict, problem solve and the idea of cause and effect. They are also gaining self control, independence and self-confidence.
Sensory table – The sensory table is changed monthly. It may contain water, sand, corn beans or maybe even pasta. The sensory table gives students the chance to explore, observe, experiment, manipulate, and be creative, while at the same time increasing their fine motor and gross motor skills along with their hand eye coordination. Since there is no right or wrong with these materials kids feel a sense of success when they play with them. Sensory play is great at helping build self esteem and increase communication skills.
Math Center – This center contains many manipulative and games. It is both teacher directed and student initiated. Students are free to explore while they are learning patterning, counting, computing, estimation, equality, sorting, shapes, position, charts, graphs, calendar and schedules.
Story Corner – Even though students may not be able to read at this time, they love looking at the many books in the story corner. You will see preschoolers turning pages and narrating the pictures, this is a great precursor for actual reading. Students can also listen to books on CD, this helps develop new vocabulary and exposes them to proper grammar. Listening to books helps students develop important language skills.
Cleaning up - We make cleaning up fun with a song and/or a game. We also make this time into a learning experience. We might have one child clean up all the red blocks while another cleans up and count all the vegetables in the kitchen area. By breaking down a big task, we help students organize it into a smaller more manageable one. In this manner, children learn to follow directions, recognize colors, learn simple counting methods, cooperation and take responsibility for their classroom.
Closing Circle - The closing meeting reflects on the skills and concepts learned during the day. This time helps reinforce/reflect on their experiences of the day.
Morning class 9:00 – 12:00, Afternoon class 12:30 – 3:30
Morning Class
- Welcome and Open Play Centers
- Circle Time (calendar, weather, songs) class discussion, fitness fun, books and poems
- Snack
- Outside Playtime
- Lesson and monthly theme discussion
- Activity / Learning Centers
- Closing Circle
* * * * * * LUNCH TIME * * * * * *
Afternoon Class
- Welcome and Open Play Centers
- Circle Time (calendar, weather, songs) class discussion, fitness fun, books and poems
- Outside Playtime
- Lesson and monthly theme discussion
- Activity / Learning Centers
- Snack
- Closing Circle
Welcome - Open Play Centers – Students wash their hands upon arrival. All the centers are open during this time. Students are free to explore and use their imagination in the dramatic play area with Castle Kordas, blocks/construction center, sensory table, manipulative and math center, puzzles, train table, dollhouse, action hero’s station, music, reading, listening center, games, coloring, books and much more. We have taken great care in creating centers designed to awaken the senses and inspire the imagination. During center time teachers continually interact with students. They may pose questions or help with problem solving skills.
Circle Time – This meeting time gives practice for many important skills. Within this time students are given many opportunities to express their thoughts and ideas. Students also participate in the meeting by being a colorful helper. This gives each student the responsibility of being a weather watcher, a calendar helper, a door holder, or even an inspector. At circle time students learn letters, numbers, letter sounds, Spanish among much more. They also discover language and literacy through stories, conversation, rhyme, and finger play. In between, we break it up with some fun fitness so that we may refocus and continue. Circle includes at least one book and even a poem. Reading to students can open new worlds to children. It exposes students to proper grammar, phrasing, and new vocabulary. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills and their social skills by enhancing their ability to express themselves verbally.
Snack – Even our snack time is full of learning experiences. This is a time for students to socialize, work on their manners and take responsibility. We express the importance of washing hands prior to any meal. Students are then guided through snack in which they serve themselves. This experience enables them to gain valuable self-help skills, making decisions skills and gain confidence. We stress the importance of manners and have children use manners such as “yes please” and “no thank you”. At the end of the snack, students clean up after themselves, including taking care of any recycling materials from snack.
Outside play – At outside play students are provided the opportunity to run, climb, jump and play independently. Outside play helps develop gross motor skills, spatial awareness, conflict resolution and cooperation. Students need to move and experiment in order to master balance, improve coordination and develop both large and small muscle groups’ muscles. Through outdoor play children gain confidence and body awareness. Students are given the opportunity to choose either independent or teacher directed activities. Teacher and students play one-on-one basketball games, toss across, 4 square, ghost-ghost- bat, red-light green-light etc.
Lesson and Monthly Theme Discussion – Lesson time focuses more on letters, numbers, letter sounds, and math concepts such as counting, graphing, sequencing and patterning. The monthly theme is interwoven throughout the daily curriculum but at this time there may be more focus or concentration.
Learning Centers - Centers are both teacher directed and student initiated. Students are able to make independent choices and develop areas of unique interest. Centers allow students to engage in active, hands-on, concrete experiences and ongoing interaction with appropriate materials, equipment and people in the learning environment. Learning centers are created to appeal to a full range of children’s intelligences. We ensure that the toys throughout the centers will intrigue and engage a student in constructive play. Students will learn positive social/emotional skills such as; sharing with others, helping each other, being responsible, taking care of property and cleaning up. In our learning centers we look for toys that are powered by a child’s imagination as this improve their fine motor skills, concentration, and hand-eye coordination and also give them proactive problem solving skills.
Dramatic play center – Dramatic play sparks a child’s sense of curiosity, creativity and great imagination. It encourages self-expression and develops self-confidence. Our drama center transforms monthly based on our theme, it could be a Farmer’s Market, a Hospital or even a pet adoption center. Students pretend or make believe with the many costumes and props in the drama center. During our Community Helper theme children can pretend they are a baker, a doctor, a police officer. During the pet/vet theme each student can adopted a pet and then can take it to the veterinarian. There are many props, dress up clothes and lots of room for creativity. This center provides children with a foundation of developmental skills such as cognitive, social and emotional, physical, language and literacy and creativity. Read about all the important skills and academic success students can gain from a drama center.
Blocks/construction center - Whether it’s building towers with the colored cardboard boxes or small wooden pieces, playing with the trucks or working at the tool bench children are learning to control small muscles and how to coordinate eyes and hands to stack and balance the blocks. When building with the blocks students gain basic math skills such as counting, balancing, colors, identifying shapes, comparing sizes, learning to predict, problem solve and the idea of cause and effect. They are also gaining self control, independence and self-confidence.
Sensory table – The sensory table is changed monthly. It may contain water, sand, corn beans or maybe even pasta. The sensory table gives students the chance to explore, observe, experiment, manipulate, and be creative, while at the same time increasing their fine motor and gross motor skills along with their hand eye coordination. Since there is no right or wrong with these materials kids feel a sense of success when they play with them. Sensory play is great at helping build self esteem and increase communication skills.
Math Center – This center contains many manipulative and games. It is both teacher directed and student initiated. Students are free to explore while they are learning patterning, counting, computing, estimation, equality, sorting, shapes, position, charts, graphs, calendar and schedules.
Story Corner – Even though students may not be able to read at this time, they love looking at the many books in the story corner. You will see preschoolers turning pages and narrating the pictures, this is a great precursor for actual reading. Students can also listen to books on CD, this helps develop new vocabulary and exposes them to proper grammar. Listening to books helps students develop important language skills.
Cleaning up - We make cleaning up fun with a song and/or a game. We also make this time into a learning experience. We might have one child clean up all the red blocks while another cleans up and count all the vegetables in the kitchen area. By breaking down a big task, we help students organize it into a smaller more manageable one. In this manner, children learn to follow directions, recognize colors, learn simple counting methods, cooperation and take responsibility for their classroom.
Closing Circle - The closing meeting reflects on the skills and concepts learned during the day. This time helps reinforce/reflect on their experiences of the day.
