Curriculum

Curriculum at Coeur D’ Alene Learning Center includes the child-initiated and teacher-directed activities and experiences offered to young children that support and enrich their development physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

Coeur D’ Alene Learning Center uses the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers and the Creative Curriculum for Preschool and PreK as guides for planning the curriculum in each of its program rooms. Each classroom has weekly lesson plans, posted in the classroom. These plans contain a number of activities, designed to foster each child’s development, and the development of the group as a whole. Lesson plans may be changed in order to accommodate the children’s changing interests.

Each classroom is set-up in centers, which include blocks, dramatic play, books, gross motor, fine motor, and art. Outdoor play is important to a child’s physical development and must be included in both the morning and afternoon schedule. Self-selection or “free-play” is a daily part of the curriculum and means a child has the opportunity to choose which center or activity he/she participates in. This promotes creative expression and development of important social skills. 

Children Learn By Doing:

Through active involvement with their environment, children attempt to make sense of the world around them.  They learn by exploring their environment through hands-on experience.  Teaching young children is a creative process.  An early childhood curriculum provides the framework for what actually happens in a planned environment where children interact with materials, peers, and adults. The primary teaching goal is to help young children use the environment productively and see themselves as capable learners. They will acquire the skills and abilities needed for a lifetime of learning through carefully planned, developmentally appropriate activities arranged by the teachers.

When a learning environment encourages exploration and discovery, children develop sense of trust and belonging. They feel important and valued when others listen to them, seek out their ideas, and allow them to express themselves. This type of environment is considered hands-on or learning through play.

Children in our classrooms are encouraged to discover things on their own. They learn by exploring the actual objects we talk about. The teachers inspire the children by asking open ended questions. This helps the child develop important communication skills.

What Is Learning Through Play?

“We support the creation of child-centered environments where children are actively engaged in real, meaningful experiences, not “cute” fluffy time fillers.” Lisa Murphy