Curriculum
Your Child Is in Great Hands
Philosophy
The most important goal of our early childhood curriculum 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’re teaching them how to learn, not just in preschool, but all through their lives. We’re allowing them to learn at their own pace and in the ways that are best for them. We’re giving them good habits and attitudes, particularly a positive sense of themselves, which will make a difference throughout their lives.
Creative Curriculum
The Creative Curriculum is an award-winning curriculum designed for preschool success. It features research-based content that are fully aligned with the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework (the gold standard in the field) and Arizona State Early Learning standards.
The Creative Curriculum allows us to establish a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that our professional staff is able to use to facilitate learning and encourage development in each of the four developmental domains : cognitive, physical, social/emotional, and language while fostering confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills.
Reggio Emilia
We also incorporate the Reggio Emilia philosophy within our curriculum which values each child as a strong and capable individual, rich with wonder and knowledge. The fundamental principles of this approach are that:
-
Children are capable of constructing their own learning and are driven by their interests to gain knowledge
-
Children form an understanding of themselves and their place in the world through their interactions with others by working in groups and also having their ideas valued
-
Children are communicators
-
The environment is the third teacher and has the potential to inspire children
-
The adult is a mentor and guide – Our role as adults is to observe (our) children, listen to their questions and their stories, find what interests them and then provide them with opportunities to explore these interests further.
-
Children’s thoughts and learning are displayed through photographs, drawings or transcripts
-
Children use different ways to show their understanding of concepts and to express their thoughts and creativity and each must be valued and nurtured. These ways of learning are a part of the child. Learning and play are not separated.
Description adapted from An Everyday Story – Inquiry Based Learning