A
to Z Building Blocks Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on a similar curriculum for all age groups. Your child is not coming to just a daycare but a childcare facility where they learn through hands on experiences. Our curriculum stresses the importance of hands on experiences through exploring and experimenting with broad-based materials.
We use learning centers as a major part of our day. We spend a majority of time engaging in different activities such as literacy, math, sensory, science; social, emotional and computer skills. Children are free to move from center to center as they independently or collaboratively join other children. Children gain independence with this set-up because they are in charge of their own materials and learning. The children also learn decision making skills. The centers are designed for general exploration and discovery. Our role as teachers in this setting is to observe, assess, and work together side by side with the children in learning.
We
include a rich literary experience in which children are given one on one attention that helps them gain a better understanding of the alphabet, reading and writing skills. We incorporate many hands on phonics activities into our literacy program.
We also use books as interactive learning experiences through added activities that build on the books theme. I.e. Mouse Paint-after reading we would use play do in the primary colors and mix them together to make new colors like the mice did in the book.
Children learn to be creative by creating their own masterpieces. The children use glue, scissors, paints, water colors, collage items and other items to create their masterpieces. Children need to be given a chance to be creative without the interruption of the educator and without the creations of adults.
Large motor activities promote hand eye coordination, gross motor coordination, and following directions and exercise. We spend time riding bikes, bouncing and kicking balls, swinging, running, jumping and parachute play.
The project approach is another big part of our days in preschool. The definition of a project approach is an in-depth investigation of a real world topic worthy of children’s attention and effort. The purpose of using the project approach is to teach children about the real world through investigating, and documenting. We use clipboards, surveys, charts, graphs and field site experiences.
We have made an environment where children want to come and have fun learning. We teach children about the real world around them and how they fit in by giving them hands on experiences and going on field trips monthly. We try to give them the best learning experiences to prepare them for the rest of their lives.