Our Philosophy

Early Learning Express is a progressive program built on the philosophy that children are instinctively curious, creative, and open-minded. Preschoolers are therefore naturally inclined to take great delight in their education. Utilizing the children's innate predisposition for learning, the curriculum focuses on readying students for success in school and in life by instilling a thirst for knowledge, respect (for self, others, and the environment), as well as independence, responsibility, motivation, and decision-making capabilities. The stimulating and nurturing environment of the classroom promotes confidence, granting the students the freedom to explore, to be creative, and to make discoveries organically.

Hands-on experimentation is also of paramount importance to the learning process for young children. Students at Early Learning Express participate in a wide variety of activities that maximize their natural strengths and abilities which encourages their intellectual development (including art, drama, music, games, construction, science, and storytelling.) Small class sizes allow the teachers to better facilitate the learning process and to actively guide the children through projects and choice making.   

The following is an outline of the key tenants in the Early Learning Express kindergarten readiness curriculum

Social and Thinking Skills:

• Following Directions

• Predicting Outcomes

• Problem solving

• Getting along with peers

• Cooperation

• Helping

• Making decisions

• Making good choices

• Conflict resolution

Literacy skills:

• Phonological Awareness

•  Listening and focusing

• Oral Expression (learns new vocabulary, retells stories, tells stories)

• Comprehension of stories, understands, shows interests in and interacts with books as they are read by adults

• Recognizes and produces speech sounds, such as rhymes, beginning sounds and letter sounds

• Identifies the letters, upper and lower case, of the alphabet

• Understands print concepts such as letters make words, words tell a story, read left to right, front of book, back of book, title, author, illustrator

• Encourage children to draw, write their name, and letters

• Book awareness and appreciation

Science

•  Build early science skills by exploring and showing curiosity by using objects in play and experiment with materials

• Taking care of our environment

• Identifying patterns

• Seasons

• Life cycle of plants and animals

• Water exploration, snow, and ice, sink and float

• Five senses

• Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals

Mathematics

• Identify the numbers 1 through 10

•  One to one correspondence

• Count and use numbers to describe and compare

• Recognize and sort simple shapes and describe their positions

• Identify simple patterns

• Understand concept of more and less

• Ordinance of numbers

History and Social Studies

• Recognize that people are alike and different

• Respect other peoples differences

Exhibit personal and social skills

• Feel secure and valued in their relationships

• Make good choices

• Express emotions appropriately and take pride in their accomplishments

• Show self -control

• Cooperate with others

• Takes responsibility for own belongings and take care of classroom

•  Dresses him/herself

Communicates effectively with adults and peers by

•  Labeling objects and feelings

• Provide simple descriptions of events

• Convey information, desires, and needs in an appropriate manner

• Use simple language to solve problems and to negotiate social interactions

Nutrition

• Healthy choices equal healthy body and mind

• Fruits and vegetables important to a healthy body

• Processed food and sweets are to be limited

•  Importance of exercise

Physical and Motor Development

• Learn to control their bodies

• Strengthen their muscles

• Participate in regular physical activities and

• Practice healthy living and appropriate daily care routines

Weekly music lessons, French, and art projects also enrich the curriculum and encourage children to take on new challenges.