The most important goal of our early childhood is to help children become enthusiastic learners. This means encouraging children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts. Our goal is to help children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive learners. We are teaching them how to learn, not just in preschool, but all through their lives. We are allowing them to learn at their own pace and in the ways that are best for them. We are teaching them good habits and attitudes, particularly a positive sense of themselves, which will make a difference throughout their lives.
The goals of Creative Curriculum in the Center are the following:
The daily activities we plan for children, the resources used, organization of the classrooms and how we interact with the children are all the ways we implement the Creative Curriculum in order to give the children the skills they need to be successful in school. Children leave different at each stage in their life. Therefore, each of our classrooms focus on age appropriate learning.
The curriculum in the Infant Room is set up to be developmentally appropriate and age appropriate for the children in this room. We focus on providing and implementing learning plans based on the needs, interests and development levels of each child in the classroom.
Infants rely on sensory stimulation for much of their learning and development. Young infants need talked to often, enjoy the stimulation of touch given by our Child Care Providers and need visual stimulation as well. In addition to the sensory stimulants, infants work on motor and speech development as they grow. A wide variety of activities are provided to meet the needs of the infants. Staff are trained in meeting the needs of the infants in their care and foster growth and appropriate development every day. Our staff focus on the infants ability to lift their heads, sit up, pull themselves up, crawl and walk.
The curriculum is developmentally appropriate for the 1-2 year olds in this classroom. Attention is given to the different needs, interests and development levels of the individual children in the classroom setting.
One year olds are very active and should be exposed to a variety of play. Large motor activities such as running, jumping, dancing and climbing are vital to a child’s development. Children will learn through hands on experiences and through play. The children will be introduced to finger painting, music, sign language, numbers, colors, and fun science activities. Time is also spent each day reading to the children and looking at a variety of pictures.
Outside play is very important to children, so when weather permits, children will play outside in the enclosed play yards. Children play will balls, bubbles and even experience fun with snow when possible. Bikes, a playhouse and small slide are other items the children have available to develop their large motor skills.
This stage of a toddler’s life is what we call the “Terrific Twos”! Children will be experiencing many changes in his/her life. This is the age of independence, the “I want to do it by myself” stage of development. Some of the self-help skills we will work on will be:
Other areas of development that we will focus on are: large and small motor coordination, social and emotional development, language and cognitive skills. Children continue to learn in the Toddler 2 room through play and hands-on activities. The areas in the classroom are library corner, music, blocks & building, puzzles, games & manipulatives, housekeeping, art, and science & math area.
The Creative Curriculum continues in the 3 year old room. Here children begin to follow a more structured environment for learning. Each day, children will have a daily routine that includes choice time, small group and large group learning times. The classroom is set up with distinct areas that attract the interest of children. Areas for reading, dress up, building blocks, art, science, and computers are a few of the stations in the Preschool room. Children continue building friendships and learn additional social & problem-solving skills. Our teachers create an environment that promotes healthy and positive relationships among children and staff.
Our 4 year old program continues to follow the Creative Curriculum in which children are very active in their own learning techniques. Children focus on daily structure and routine as well as developing their social skills. Our teachers are focused on providing the children with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their transition to school age programs.