Curriculum

Our beliefs concerning the education and growth of children exist due to many separate theories including Abraham Maslow, Eric Erickson, Jean Piaget, Vtgotsky and Howard Gardner. We believe that the combinations of each of these theoretical approaches provide a comprehensive approach to our learning environment. This approach emphasizes the identifiable patterns of growth, the child’s interaction with the environment (both people and materials), and the interaction between the cognitive and affective spheres of development.

The Learning Environment

The theories of Erikson, Piaget, Vtgotsky and Gardner are reflected in the setup of the classroom. The overall learning environment is important and the set up if the physical environment is intentional.

We offer many interest areas with the intention of providing children with options to make choices. The classroom structure includes important physiological care routines in addition to choice play and learning opportunities. The following are examples of the “Interest Areas” we provide:

Manipulatives, Transportation & Blocks, Toys and Games, Library, Sensory Table,

Dramatic Play, Art, Science, Music and Movement, Math

What Children Learn

We recognize that each child is unique and have unique interests. Lesson planning is based upon the child’s interests, skill level, and providing opportunities for problem solving. Teachers provide intentional opportunities through centers and small and large group times to challenge children in the following concepts and skills:

English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Arts, and Social Emotional Development

Curriculum

We utilize the faith-based Pinnacle Curriculum which is written by early childhood experts with years of child care experience, Pinnacle Curriculum provides a research-based educational foundation for the children in our center.

Pinnacle Curriculum™ for infants and toddlers provides activities that stimulate growth and developmentthat can be incorporated into the routines of the day. Encouraging an atmosphere of caring, love, and hugs, Pinnacle Curriculum provides children with fun activities to do– even during the “Radical Routines” of eating and changing! Lesson plans are designed for personalization, making it easy to craft the curriculum to meet each child’s specific needs.

For two-, three-, and four-year-olds, Pinnacle Curriculum follows a daily activity format that matches the ever-changing needs of each rapidly developing child! Each age group has a separate curriculum that is specific to their educational and emotional needs, interests, and activity level. Pinnacle Curriculum provides for these age groups small and large group time activities, along with center-based activities for as many centers as a classroom can hold. The activities in Pinnacle Curriculum meet learning objectives that will help every child move towards their potential as they explore and experiment with materials and activities in the classroom.

Pinnacle Curriculum for school-age children takes into consideration the special needs of this age group. Whether students want to work on a creative art project, do homework, or just relax in the “Chill Zone.” Pinnacle Curriculum provides opportunities for students to interact with each other as they participate in activities that challenge their creativity in a social and recreational outlet for that after-school energy!

The Curriculum is aligned to the Ohio Infant & Toddler Domains, Early Learning Content Standards, and the K-5 standards in order to ensure the quality of the curriculum and classroom environment.