Curriculum

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool

Our comprehensive curriculum is based on The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, which is fully aligned with state early learning standards, and combines a mixture of developmentally appropriate practices, including: Theme Based, Emergent (capitalizing on teachable moments), and Play Based.

"Using exploration and discovery as a way of learning, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool enables children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills."

Studies have shown that children are more likely to retain information learned when they are engaged in an enjoyable and meaningful activity. We specialize in capturing the attention of children through fun, meaningful learning experiences. Our program provides developmentally appropriate activities for every child with a strong emphasis on social and emotional development, as these characteristics have proven to have a strong impact on a child’s cognitive development.

When children play and interact with people who truly care about them, they are also learning – that they are loved and important and that they are fun to be around. These social-emotional skills give children the self-confidence and self-esteem they need to continue building supportive and loving relationships throughout their entire lives.

Handwriting Without Tears

We have integrated the nationally acclaimed Handwriting Without Tears® (HWT) curriculum into our program. Developed by an Occupational Therapist, HWT has won two of the most prestigious national education awards: the Distinguished Achievement Award for best children's curriculum, as well as a Teacher's Choice Award.

Theme-based

Our theme-based curriculum units encourage curiosity and self-direction, and incorporate language, math, science, geography, social studies, creative arts, music, motor skills and social development. 

Learning Centers

Learning centers are clearly defined areas/activities within a classroom where children can explore and learn with hands-on materials. 

Literacy

Phonemic Awareness: Research shows that success with phonemic awareness is a strong predictor of later reading success. Our program promotes early phonemic awareness through exposure to songs, rhymes, books, and games. Students build phonemic awareness as they learn to identify words that rhyme (cat, hat, mat), break down syllables in words (ta-ble, wa-ter), and learn to identify rhyming alliterations (Betty bought a bit of butter.).

Research also shows that teaching the smallest units of sound in language (phonemes) is highly effective in helping children to become fluent in recognizing or decoding words. Children with strong decoding skills and phonemic awareness are better able to sound out words. When developmentally ready, children are introduced to letter-sound relationships. Understanding these relationships gives children the ability to recognize familiar words quickly and to figure out words they haven't seen before. Through a variety of fun literary experiences, including hands-on access to many books and writing materials, our child-friendly and literacy-rich environment encourages children to develop a lifelong love of reading. 

Social Development

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a critical aspect of early childhood education. In fact, SEL is so important that it is outlined in Pre-K program standards in all 50 states. At Great Explorations, through social-emotional curriculum and play, children learn to negotiate roles, behave in the class, take turns, solve conflicts, cooperate for a common goal, work as a team, share materials, forge friendships, assert their feelings, and rebound from disappointments. Teachers intentionally support children’s social and emotional development by modeling appropriate behaviors and interacting warmly and affectionately.

Fun!

Our curriculum is designed to be highly enjoyable to children and provides exposure to the skills that are fundamental to success in kindergarten and beyond.

Weekly Curriculum

Language Arts

Math

Science

Social Studies

Art

Physical Education: Daily gross motor activities