Learning

Constructing Knowledge Through Play & Exploration

Social-Emotional

Social-emotional development refers to a child’s ability to identify feelings, self-regulate and build relationships.

High-quality relationships correlate to positive outcomes for young children (Shonkoff, 2004). Brain research verifies that emotional and cognitive development are interrelated (Bell & Wolf, 2004). Young children who have strong social and emotional development are more likely to have good academic performance in future schooling (Cohen, 2005). Therefore, our program integrates a social-emotional component into each lesson plan.

Social Studies

Social Studies skills refer to a child’s ability to understand oneself in relation to the world. It includes the exploration of roles, responsibilities and cultural traditions. Children live within many different communities: family, school, church, city, nation, etc. Within each community are different social norms and traditions. Understanding social systems sets the stage for a child’s lifelong dispositions about people, cultures and how he or she belongs in these systems (NCSS, 1988). Our preschool program embraces the research that it is critical to invite children to explore diverse communities, which enables them to integrate commonalities between them and increase respect for differences (Morrison, 2008).

Music & Movement

Music & Movement allows children the ability to respond to experiences by expressing ideas and imagination through music, dance, dramatic play, and art. Children who score higher on tests of imagination and creativity develop stronger problem-solving strategies (Brown, Sutterfy & Thronton, 2008). Our preschool program is an arts-infused curriculum that allows children to take creative risks, make connections, and explore their curiosity in meaningful ways. “Play is a safe place where children are exploring the expression of emotion with no attending consequences” (Gaskins and Miller, 2009).

Language

Language and literacy skills refer to a child’s ability to communicate and connect with others through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Our literacy-rich curriculum invites children to ask questions and explore ideas through discussion and dramatic play. Language skills are some of the best predictors of academic success

Mathematics

Mathematics and reasoning skills include a child’s ability to count, understand number sense, manipulate objects, create patterns, sort, compare and measure. Through our curriculum, children develop the ability to reason mathematically and become increasingly sophisticated in the ability to recognize and analyze the mathematics inherent in the world around them.

Outside Play

Physical development refers to a child’s gross and fine motor skills. To increase strength, muscle control, and coordination, the child requires adequate nutrition and fitness levels.

Physical development in children follows a directional pattern (Bayley, 1993). Large muscles develop before small muscles. Our curriculum actively engages a child’s mind and body through multidisciplinary activities that invite children to touch, climb, crawl, and manipulate objects in their surrounding environment.