Curriculum
Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world. Malala Yousafzai
At My Happy Place Daycare we believe that children learn through play. We use the Creative Curriculum framework, which supports our belief that young children learn best when the classroom environment is child-centered with a focus on interest areas. Research shows that exploratory and creative activities that young children initiate themselves, is the primary way they develop concepts and understanding about the world.
Yearly Curriculum Themes
Our learning centers allow children the opportunity to explore, problem-solve, investigate, work together as a team, and meet with success. Children are exposed to whole group work, small groups, and individual instruction each day.
Structured Play
Play provides benefits for cognitive, physical, social/emotional, and language development. Play helps children develop the skills necessary for critical thinking and leadership. Play is how children solve problems and feel good about their ability to learn.
To provide these benefits, play must be consciously facilitated by skilled teachers, who are well-trained in observing children and in understanding how play contributes to children’s mastery of concepts and skills.
The teacher’s role is to facilitate and support an environment that sets the stage for active learning—with real, concrete experiences. As children explore their environment, teachers will listen for children’s emerging ideas about their discoveries. Children’s ideas are expanded on through meaningful interactions with other children and adults. Some experience may evolve into short-term activities or into long-term projects generated from teacher’s observations and/or the children’s different needs and interests
• Getting Acquainted: Meeting others. • All About Me: I am special, five senses. • My Community: Our families, our school, our friends. • Healthy Habits: Hand washing, manners, eating healthy • Fall: apples, change of season
• Community Helpers: Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Doctor, Librarian and Teacher. • Farm Animals • Christopher Columbus: Discovery of the new world. • Halloween: Pumpkin Time • From Seed to Pumpkin
• The First Thanksgiving: Pilgrims, Native Americans and The Mayflower. • Families: Customs, Traditions and Our Family Tree. • Celebrating Diversity: How are we alike and how are we different?
• Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza • Winter Wonderland: Snow, Snow flakes and winter activities. • Gingerbread Men
• New Years Resolution • All About Penguins and Polar Bears • Igloos and Ice skating • Winter Weather
• Groundhog’s Day: Predictions, Traditions and Shadows • Valentine’s Day: Love, Hearts and Friendship. • President’s Day: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. • Chinese New Year: Holiday, Celebration, Customs and Traditions.
• Dr. Seuss’s Birthday: Dr. Seuss themed books • Spring: Parts of a flower and tree, butterflies and chicks. • St Patrick’s Day: Shamrocks and Four leaf clovers. • Holiday: Easter and Passover
• Earth Day • Recycling: Paper, Plastic and Glass • Water All Around Us: Ponds, Lakes, Rivers and Oceans • Rain and Umbrellas
• Mother’s Day: Muffins with Mommy • Memorial Day
• Summer Time Fun • A Day at the Beach • Water Activities • Father’s Day: Donuts with Dad
We do...
♢ Communicate to children using positive statements.
♢ Communicate with children on their level.
♢ Talk with children in a calm quiet manner.
♢ Explain unacceptable behavior to children.
♢ Give attention to children for positive behavior.
♢ Praise and encourage the children.
♢ Model appropriate behavior.
♢ Set up the classroom environment to prevent problems.
♢ Provide alternatives and redirect children to acceptable activity.
♢ Give children opportunities to make choices and solve problems.
♢ Help children talk out problems and think of solutions.
♢ Listen to children and respect the children’s needs, desires and feelings.
♢ Provide appropriate words to help solve conflicts.