Our Curriculum

Daniel Island Academy selected The Creative Curriculum®, a NAEYC approved curriculum of excellence, to complement its child-centered approach to learning. It is also a play-based curriculum in which classroom environment and center activities are key components in the learning process.

 

Our curriculum includes a balanced schedule of planned activities and free choice; quiet time and physical play; individual attention and group activities. We ensure a high level of one-on-one interaction by maintaining low child-to-teacher ratios. The Creative Curriculum is utilized in all preschool classrooms and encompasses the ongoing cycle of observing, guiding, learning and assessing your child’s progress in the classroom. It is an integrated curriculum using knowledge across all content areas for a “whole child” approach to learning.

Our Classrooms - Learning activities are a key ingredient in any early childhood setting. Without them children miss out on opportunities to develop skills and gain knowledge during their earliest years. Our classrooms are designed and equipped for developmentally appropriate play, based upon research supported by the high standards of NAEYC. We continuously evaluate our classroom programs, materials and equipment by the ITERS (Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale) and ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) standards. The ITERS and ECERS program was developed by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Early Literacy - One of the most important elements of our curriculum is a focus on Early Literacy. These skills develop in the first five years of life and your child's early experiences with books and language lay the foundation for success in learning to read. Miss Becky’s Literacy Adventure is taught weekly in each full day classroom by our school Librarian. Each session is interwoven with the classroom’s lesson plan and includes story time, music and movement, and dramatic play.

 

Play-Centered Learning - Children learn through play. Play contributes to the building of gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, sensory, social and emotional skills. Our curriculum is supported by a stimulating environment both indoor and outdoor, allowing children to explore, problem solve and learn through their interaction with their surroundings and other children through self-directed play. The environment, activities, and social interactions are designed to stimulate individuality, positive self-esteem, communication skills and a lifelong desire to learn.

  • Language/Literacy - Language grows and develops in an environment rich in print and images. A cozy nook is available to curl up and enjoy a new book or to listen to a story told by a narrator, friend, or teacher. Materials are available for extending stories and developing ideas for a new story or illustration.

  • Blocks – When children build with blocks they learn math concepts such as the number of blocks that fill a certain space. They learn about geometric shapes, they sort, stack, compare weights and size.  They work together and learn to cooperate.

  • Dramatic Play - Here children take on different roles and recreate real-life experiences.  They use props and make-believe to deepen their understanding about the world they live in. The ability to pretend is very important to your child’s development. Children who know how to make believe develop a good vocabulary, which is important for reading. They learn to cooperate with others and solve problems, and are able to think abstractly—all important skills for success in school.

  • Science - Explorations of texture, color, size, shape, and weight provide children with the experience to get to know their environment. Children learn skills such as: explore, observe, experiment, predict outcomes, compare, draw conclusions, discover how things work, and learn how to solve problems.  

  • Art Center - Drawing, painting, pasting, molding and constructing are not only enjoyable but also provide important opportunities for learning. Children express original ideas and feelings, improve their coordination, learn to recognize colors and textures, and develop creativity and pride in their accomplishments by exploring different materials.

  • Table Toys & Manipulatives - Toys and games cultivate children's emerging math, science, social studies, and literacy skills and enhance their problem-solving skills.  Manipulatives also enhance fine motor development.