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~ Curriculum ~
Christa's Kids uses a play based curriculum that emphasizes individual needs through developmentally appropriate practices. Many of my philosophies are inspired by the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches to early learning
Early childhood educators know that play is an integral part of a child's life. Being able to play, both alone and with peers is the cornerstone of every child's healthy growth and development. Both guided and unguided play initiates and enhances a child's physical, social/emotional and creative growth.
"Play is the highest form of research" ~ Albert Einstein
Play used as an active, child-initiated process lends support to a child’s growth and development across all areas including physical, social/emotional, creative, science, math, language and literacy.
By taking advantage of the highly engaging nature of self-sustained play, and using this as a starting point for deeper exploration of the concepts involved, I can generate curriculum units that both integrate child-centered play and guided activities that will maximize the child’s learning throughout these domains.
Through play, children actively pose problems, explore solutions, and develop understandings of real world concepts of form and function. By comparing and contrasting information gained from each new experience to what they already know, they are actively constructing their knowledge of the way the world works.
The following are a few examples of what a child learns through specific activities
Block Play ~ Language skills, reading and writing readiness, science and math concepts, and cooperation and responsibility.
Dramatic/Pretend Play ~ Problem solving, critical thinking, self-expression, imagination and social awareness
Art ~ sensory perception, hand eye coordination, fine motor control, pleasure and satisfaction, love of beauty and self-expression
Reading/Books ~ visual perception, memory, perceptual motor skills, vocabulary, listening skills, phonics, social skills, and writing skills
Science/Discovery ~ exploration, observation, experimentation, predict outcomes and learn how to solve the problem
Math ~ counting, number meaning and recognition, shapes, comparing, measuring, spatial recognition and time keeping