RI Early Learning Standards

At The Children’s Village, the most important learning goal for our children is to learn through play. Our curriculum incorporates all 8 domains of the Rhode Island Learning Standards (Approaches to Learning, Social/Emotional Development, Language Development and Communication, Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Creativity, and Physical Health and Development)

Learning

The children’s goals for Approaches to Learning will be met by the children being exposed to a variety of Learning Centers within their classroom. Peer interactions allow the children to realize that there are different solutions to every problem. They can learn by trial and error, compromise, and understanding things from another’s perspective.

Social/Emotional Development

The greatest factor in attaining the goals for Social and Emotional Development is by having the classroom teacher as a role model to the children. When there is a disagreement between students, the teacher will model appropriate dialogue to resolve the matter. With this modeling taking place, language and communication skills also develop. The children learn that by communicating their feelings is more beneficial than using non-verbal language or violent behavior. If the teacher makes every child feel they are accepted for whom they are and what they can do, then each child will have the confidence to take risks, feel good about him or herself, and respect their peers. The children are setting goals for themselves and do not feel they have to meet anyone’s expectations.

Language Development and Communication

Development of Language and Communication occurs everyday in a child’s life in many areas. Children are constantly listening and responding with peers during Circle Time, Learning Center Time, Snack/Lunch Time and Outdoor Playtime. The teacher will prompt students to elaborate on ideas in order for them to expand their verbal skills.

Literacy

The classrooms will be a Print Enriched Environment . Early writing will encompass inventive spelling and learning to recognize and write their names by repetition. Early reading will focus on phonics, letter recognition, and rhyming words. The children will realize that the printed word is all around them including the internet, highway billboards, traffic signs, televisions and video games. We will encourage the parents to carry this learning outside of school and to their home by exposing their children to the written word while they are on errands as well as reading a story with their child at night.

Mathematics

Children will become aware that Math and Science are a part of their everyday life. The children will use several different types of manipulatives for one − to − one correspondence, sorting, classifying, and categorizing. For Circle Time, the children will learn patterns, measurements of time, and number recognition by using the calendar. Science is also integrated in the calendar with discussions focusing on the Seasons and weather patterns. They will understand that different clothing and accessories are necessary for each season.

Science

Creativity

Creativity is always welcomed in the classroom. There are no set outcomes of what a project should look like or a particular way it needs to be constructed. Learning takes place through process not product. The children are free to use the materials in unconventional ways. Music will be part of Circle Time with our daily songs, poems and free dance as part of transition time.

Physical Health and Development

The children will learn about Physical Health and Development by developing their Gross and Fine Motor Skills by using the playground on a daily basis and manipulatives such as stringing beads, finger painting, coloring, and playing games in the Technology Center. Snack time provides a good opportunity to illustrate for the children the importance of proper hygiene and have them cultivate their self sufficient skills. The children will learn the impact of proper hand washing to avoid getting germs and bacteria in your body that can make you sick.