Classroom
Eight dynamic learning centers give children the chance to develop significant skills and experience a variety of hands-on activities.
Achieving Kindergarten Readiness
For active little achievers, Preschool is an essential part of the journey to elementary school, and future academic success. Hands-on early childhood learning experiences help children develop key school readiness skills.
Our Preschool program focuses on:
- Fostering independence
- Cooperation & communication skills
- Hands-on learning
- Literacy and number concepts
Classroom
Art Center
Exploring different art techniques, concepts of color, and cooperating with others are highlighted in this creative setting.
Classroom
Block Center
Building with different materials helps children build hand-eye coordination and learn to count, sort, and pattern items.
Classroom
Dramatic Play Center
Imaginative pretend play enhances early writing and reading skills, as children learn to express their emotions and make sense of real life.
Classroom
Math Center
Early math concepts, such as recognizing numbers, counting, comparing, sorting, and ordering are explored by children in this center.
Classroom
Music & Movement Center
While cooperating and communicating with others, children develop physical coordination through moving, dancing, and singing.
Classroom
Science Center
Exploring plants, animals, weather, the seasons and other science areas enable children to develop observation and questioning skills.
Classroom
Reading Center
Children develop their literacy skills in this center, as they work on important skills such as print awareness, story comprehension, and listening.
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Writing Center
Essential communication and early writing skills are developed by exploring rhymes and sounds, letter recognition and formation.
Curriculum & Developmental Scales
Our Young Achievers™ educational curriculum for kids follows the HighScope philosophy. The foundation of the HighScope approach is active learning—in which students have direct, hands-on experiences with people, materials, and ideas—and a robust Plan-Do-Review process. Our digital lesson planning tool generates customized curriculum, based on teachers observing and assessing children, while children achieve milestones across 10 developmental scales:
- Approaches to Learning
- Creative Arts
- Language
- Literacy
- Logic & Reasoning
- Early Math
- Nature & Science
- Social Studies
- Physical Development/Health
- Social-Emotional Development
Approaches to Learning
Measuring the ability to set goals, plan, interact with others and with the environment.
Creative Arts
Measuring the ability to demonstrate ideas and feelings with music, movement, visual arts, and drama.
Language
Measuring expressive and receptive vocabulary and using conversation skills and vocabulary for effective communication.
Literacy
Measuring alphabet knowledge, reading and writing skills, and phonological awareness.
Logic & Reasoning
Measuring the ability to sequence, solve problems, and use symbolic and critical-thinking skills.
Early Math
Measuring the ability to understand numbers, patterns, sorting, and ordering, plus using numbers to add, subtract, measure, and graph.
Nature & Science
Measuring understanding of the natural and physical world, as well as skills related to observing, describing, predicting, and gathering data.
Social Studies
Measuring ability to understand themselves, their families, communities, and their world.
Physical Development/Health
Measuring fine and gross motor skills and understanding health and nutrition.
Social-Emotional Development
Measuring self-awareness and showing respect and empathy for others.
Sample Activity: Cooperation Puzzle
Milestone: Building social relationships.
Desired Outcome: Child says, signs, or gestures the names of friends.
- The teacher draws a heart shape on a large piece of paper and puzzle-piece lines (one per child), writing each child’s name in a puzzle piece. The teacher shows the heart puzzle to the children and explains there is one piece that represents each of them. Each child is invited to find their name.
- The teacher cuts the puzzle apart and places the puzzle pieces in a basket, discussing with the children how, like the puzzle and its pieces, when people come together and cooperate, they can get along and get things done.
- The children select names. Can they identify the name or any letters on the piece they chose? Encourage the other children to provide assistance. Once all pieces are picked, the children work together to build the puzzle.
- Once the puzzle is complete, the children are recognized for their cooperation and teamwork. The puzzle is placed in an easily accessible area so children can continue working on their cooperation skills.
Expert Corner: Stable Routines For Well-Adjusted Children
Consistency and routines are important to all of us, especially to children. Setting expectations and creating stability enables them to be healthy and happy.
Expert Corner: Stable Routines For Well-Adjusted Children
Consistency and routines are important to all of us, especially to children. Setting expectations and creating stability enables them to be healthy and happy.
Knowing what to expect helps children feel certain that their needs will be met—not just today, but every day...
Dr. Susan Canizares