Science, technology, engineering, art, and math form the building blocks of our curriculum because these subjects are a fundamentally a part of the way your children interacts with the world, today and in the future.
WHAT IS STEAM?
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. At A Child’s Place, our early education, STEAM-inspired curriculum integrates the core principles of science, technology, engineering, art, and math throughout classroom areas and daily routines. This connects academic skills to practical real-world applications, so learning becomes more memorable and meaningful to children's everyday lives.
STEAM learning encourages innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity, resulting in a capable, multi-faceted, talented child. Through STEAM, children build the skills necessary to navigate the world around them. Making connections between diverse skills and concepts is the way children learn best.
We all know the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs, but this is not your Nana’s story. With STEAM, this familiar fable comes to life through a variety of learning experiences and discussions that helps your child with comprehension, cognition, and decision-making. Here’s how that might look:
Using digital observation, assessment, and lesson planning tool, our teachers have access to 10,000+ unique activities to plan individualized lessons. Research-based Scales and Indicators focus on the whole child and development of academic and social-emotional skills.
Indicators in each Scale (Academic and Life) are based on years of scientific research, ranging from simplest to most advanced, in the order children learn them; new skills build on previous ones.
To ensure the effectiveness of our curriculum, teachers engage in daily assessment of the children. This allows for the creation of a unique customizable approach that reflects the child’s current skill level, resulting in child-based personalized lesson plans that are curated by teachers and based on the readiness of each classroom.
Education for 2-year-old
Creating opportunities for 2-year-olds to explore their energy, curiosity, and budding independence is essential for their development. AT A Child’s Place, we nurture and stimulate these traits through:
1. Outdoor Play Spaces- with safe and age-appropriate outdoor play areas on soft surfaces that include balls, ride-on toys, etc. to encourage physical activity.
2. Messy Play Activities- by introducing sensory/ touch activities, such as finger painting, playing with water, or exploring different textures like sand and playdough..
3. Simple Art and Crafts- work with easy-to-handle art supplies like chunky crayons and washable markers to help allow the expression of creativity through coloring, cutting paper, and gluing.
4. Imaginative Play- dramatic play with a stocked “kitchen,” dress-up clothing, and other props designed to encourage role-play, problem-solving, and psychosocial development.
5. Music and Movement- a designated space for dancing and moving to music, along with simple instruments like shakers or drums to promote exploration of rhythm and sound.
6. Story Time- the use of age-appropriate books with colorful pictures and simple narratives to stimulate critical thinking.
1. Puzzles and Sorting Games- to introduce sorting activities with various shapes and colors.
2. Building Blocks- provide soft blocks for stacking and knocking down to inspire creative construction and problem-solving.
3. Social Interaction- guide our future leaders in sharing and taking turns.
4. Safety Awareness- teach basic safety rules, such as holding hands when crossing the street or not touching hot surfaces using simple language to explain why certain actions are unsafe.
5. Celebrating Achievements- (ONE OF OUR FAVORITES) praise their efforts and accomplishments to boost confidence. Celebrate small milestones, such as successfully putting on their shoes or stacking blocks.
6. Routine and Consistency- create a consistent daily routine to provide a sense of security. This helps them understand what to expect, fostering a sense of control.
7. Positive Reinforcement- use positive reinforcement to encourage positive behavior. Redirect negative behavior with gentle guidance.
This part of our program features an indicator-based curriculum specifically designed to help young learners build the routines and self-sufficiency skills that independent learners need.
Here, children will discover:
Curriculum & Developmental Indicators
Approach to learning- grow problem-solving, investigation of their surroundings, and achieve greater independence.
Creative Arts- convey thoughts and emotions through music, movement, visual arts, and theater.
Language- use conversation skills and vocabulary to communicate effectively.
Literacy- display phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, early reading, and early writing abilities.
Logic and Reasoning- organize ideas, solve problems, and think critically.
Early Math- understand numbers, patterns, sorting, and ordering, as well as the ability to add, subtract, measure, and graph them.
Nature & Science- observe, describe, forecast, and collect facts on the nature and physical world.
Social Studies- early recognition of self, family, community, and home environment
Physical Growth/Health- coordinate both large and small muscular movements. Raise understanding of health and safety issues.
Social and Emotional Development- engage with others, gaining an awareness of these interactions, the role of the other actors (i.e., family, friends, and community members), and their emotions.
Preparing Each Child for Kindergarten- Like laughter, learning spreads with joy. And we pass it on! Our early childhood classroom is a community, where your child not only learns skills necessary for kindergarten success, but also develops respect for others and a strong sense of confidence. As they bond with their classmates, they will:
Develop independence.
Increase cooperation and communication skills.
Practice hands-on learning.
Curriculum and Developmental Scales- our STEAM program develops brilliant creators and thinkers. Children learn best when they make connections between their skills and learned concepts. We incorporate science, technology, engineering, art, and math, utilizing a digital lesson planning tool tailored each learner and based on testing and observation to fulfill each child's requirements as they grow through ten developmental scales.
Approaches to Learning- assesses children's capacity to plan, establish objectives, and interact with others and their surroundings.
Language- examine children's expressive and receptive vocabulary, as well as their ability to successfully communicate through conversation skills and vocabulary.
Literacy- evaluates children's phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, reading, and writing skills.
Creative Arts- assesses children's capacity to express themselves through music, movement, visual arts, and drama.
Logic and Reasoning- assesses the child's sequencing, problem-solving, symbolic, and critical thinking abilities.
Early math- evaluates the understanding of numbers, patterns, sorting, and ordering, as well as their ability to utilize numbers to add, subtract, measure, and graph.
Social studies- assesses the child's understanding of themselves, family, communities, and the world.
Nature & Science- examines children's knowledge of the natural and physical world, as well as their ability to observe, describe, predict, and collect data.
Physical Growth/Health- observes children's fine and gross motor skills, as well as their knowledge of health and nutrition.
Social-Emotional Development- evaluates children's self-awareness, respect, and sensitivity toward others.
Empowering Your Child's Day, Every Step of the Way
At our before- and after-school program, we're dedicated to ensuring every day begins and ends on a positive note. Tailored to the unique needs of each child, our program offers a blend of enriching activities and supportive care to set the stage for success.
Morning Momentum: Kickstarting the day with energy and enthusiasm, we provide a structured morning routine featuring a nutritious breakfast, engaging playtime, and inspiring group activities. By fostering goalsetting and camaraderie, we empower children to approach each day with confidence and purpose.
The Power of Play: After school, it's all about unleashing creativity and cultivating community. Through a mix of free play and structured activities, children explore, learn, and grow in both indoor and outdoor settings. As they navigate physical challenges and collaborate with peers, they develop essential skills and healthy habits that will serve them well into the future.
Homework Help: We understand the importance of academic support, which is why we offer dedicated time for homework assistance led by qualified staff. Equipped with essential supplies and resources, our classrooms provide a conducive environment for students to tackle assignments with confidence.
With our comprehensive program, your child is not just cared for, they're empowered to thrive.
