Curriculum

The foundation of our program stems from Love, God. Every single child that walks through our door is a unique soul of light that has a purpose. They are the future and we know how very important it is for our teachers and staff to have a positive, uplifting, and inspiring impact on them. Our teachers are trained under the owner, Marcia Herstein to obtain a deep understanding of our core concepts: Awareness, Honesty, and Responsibility.

Awareness: We are all one created from the same God. We teach how important it is to treat others how we would like to be treated because when we hurt others, we are really hurting ourselves. We see others as equals. We help children to believe in themselves and that they are made complete just as they are. We open their eyes on how to be aware of other people’s feelings and to be respectful of other people’s paths in life.

Honesty: We educate our children on how important it is to be honest with themselves and with others. We help them to understand, in the gentlest way possible that lying has consequences: which can be hurtful and harmful. We encourage them to express themselves as who they truly are, instead of comparing themselves to others.

Responsibility: We guide our little ones to recognize and take responsibility for their actions when they are not in alignment with their Highest Self. We encourage and guide them to make healthy choices that feel good to them and therefore will create a positive outcome. We want our little ones to think for themselves, to always ask questions, and to trust what feels right to them. We will ask them questions like; do you agree or disagree? What do you think about this or that? This will help them know that what they think matters! They are important! We want to know what their little minds are thinking so we can make sure to give them the support they need.

LITTLE SPONGES:

Statistics tell us that 90% of a child’s brain develops before the age of 5. What they are absorbing and learning now will stay with them into adulthood. Research has shown that “the absorbent mind” is only active until about the age of six.  This does not mean that learning stops after age six, but rather that it doesn’t absorb as easily, and that learning requires more work.

The Absorbant Mind: Unconscious Period:

Learning during the first part of this period is unconscious.  “It moves on instinct, like a caterpillar.  It doesn’t care about making mistakes, as the brain hasn’t been fully formed yet.  Unconsciously before the age three, children simply ABSORB everything around them and save it for when their brain is ready to use the information.”

Even though we’ve heard that infancy is the only time you “can’t” teach a child anything, they are actually learning vast amounts of information through the absorbent mind.  Think of an infant’s acquisition of language – it’s seemingly effortless!  They don’t have to be “taught” to speak, they just absorb it by being around language.   It is unconscious learning.

The Absorbent Mind: Conscious Period:

We say that between the ages of two and three, the conscious mind begins.  It seems that the child becomes aware of his or her autonomy overnight!  They suddenly realize that they can make choices, choose work, decide what they want to do, and determine what is the right thing to do.  This is why many parents of toddlers enter into a power struggle with their previously compliant child who has discovered their ability to say “no”!  However, this is an appropriate and normal stage of development that parents should be prepared for and respond to with knowledge.  How can they foster their child’s independence by providing freedom with limits?

During the conscious mind period of ages 3-6, it’s important to provide many stimulating activities for the child.  We should also carefully observe our children, looking for signs of them entering into a sensitive period for learning.

Our Daily Schedule:

7:00 – 9:00	Drop off, directed free choice time
9:00 – 9:10	Clean up, AM Gratitude Prayer
9:10 – 9:30	Large group, circle time
9:30 – 10:00	Learning activity- L.A. or Math concept
10:00 – 10:10	Bathroom
10:10 – 10:20	Snack
10:20 – 10:30	Gross motor activity
10:30 – 11:00	Recess
11:00 – 11:25	Art, science, nutrition (alternating)
11:25 – 11:45	Centers- dramatic play, sensory, math, language arts, science
11:45 – 12:00	Story and music (wiggle time)
12:00 – 12:30	Lunch
12:30 – 12:45	Bathroom
12:50 – 2:50	Quiet time
2:50 – 3:15	Bathroom, snack, clean up the classroom, PM Gratitude Prayer
3:15 – 5:30	Directed free choice, group activities, parent pick up

Math– shapes, numbers, counting, adding, ordering, measuring 

Language Arts– letters, phonics, sight words, reading, writing

Science– observing, comparing, classifying, measuring, communicating, predicting

Art– painting, coloring, cutting, gluing, creating

Gross Motor Activity- working on the coordination of larger muscles, including dancing, exercises, throwing/kicking a ball, etc.

Fine Motor Activity- working on the coordination of small muscles, including puzzles, lacing, beading, playdoh, coloring, etc.

Themes– Each week has a theme in which activities are based around.

Our favorite song to remind us of God’s goodness:

“Thank you God, for giving me the things I need; the sun, and the moon, and the apple tree. The Lord is good to me. The Lord is good to me.”