Creative Curriculum

We follow the Creative Curriculum at every age. The Creative Curriculum uses classroom set-ups and activities that encourage children to experiment and try out new ideas/concepts. Some activities are teacher guided while others are child initiated. Both are designed to explore a child’s own ideas and choices.

A range of activities are implemented to help your child develop skills in four main areas; social and emotional, physical, cognitive and language.

During playtime your child is learning about social interaction, sharing, cooperation and compromise. Teachers encourage discussions about possible solutions when conflicts arise. Experiencing new activities and situations help your child to develop a healthy sense of self and responsibility.

Physical activities will address both gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills develop body control, including balance and stability. Fine motor activities develop the dexterity needed for writing and self help skills.

Outdoor play Physical exercise and fresh air are important for every child’s health and well being. We strive to go outdoors every day. Children notice and appreciate the changes in nature, weather, seasons and the growth of plants and animals.

Cognitive skills are taught through activities that allow your child to experiment and observe results, ask questions and problem solve. Comparing, contrasting, measuring and sorting develop logical thinking. Imaginative play allows your child to think symbolically, which is the basis for exploring abstract ideas.

Language skills grow quickly for your little one as they discover that words have power, affecting others’ words and actions. Oral language skills start to expand into interest in reading and writing as growth in self expression continues.

Lesson plans are written for each week and are posted on the board at the front of the room. These plans will allow you to see which specific activities we will be doing during the week so you may follow up with your child and/or integrate them at home.

Literacy activities will include books, books and more books! Your child will be read to on a daily basis. We want your child to find reading a source of enjoyment. We will also work on letter recognition, letter sounds, and how letters build words.

Math exercises will go beyond counting. Your child will learn number recognition and also that each number is a symbol for an amount. We work on shape and pattern recognition as well as measurement and comparisons of length, weight, amount and speed.

Discovery and sensory activities help your child explore, manipulate and compare objects in the world around them. Activities promote experimentation to find which things people can change and which we cannot. Your child will observe how living things, including our own bodies, change as they grow and how people can affect those changes. Building with blocks helps your child learn spatial concepts as well as cause and effect, weight and balance.

Art projects allow your child to experiment with perspective, relationships of objects, size, position, and physical characteristics of both subject matter and art materials. Drawing, painting, pasting, molding and constructing are not only enjoyable but also provide opportunities for original ideas and feelings to be expressed. Art also improves coordination, helps children learn to recognize colors and textures, develop creativity and take pride in their accomplishments.

Dramatic play develops language skills as your child interacts with other children and allows them to explore different roles. Dramatic play and music activities both provide an opportunity to explore feelings and the expression of feelings, with or without words. During music and movement, children learn to appreciate different kinds of music while expressing themselves through movement. Singing together daily helps children learn to cooperate in a large group setting.

Written notes are sent home daily to let you know which activities your child had a chance to explore during the day. Conferences are held in late January or early February to share skills observed in your child as we prepare for Kindergarten. We are open to questions and/or concerns at any time. We look forward to working with you in your child’s early education, as you are your child’s first and most important teacher.