Curriculum
Cutting edge research in the fields of child development and education informs our programs and curricula to support children’s intellectual, social-emotional, and physical growth and development. A primary goal is to encourage children’s growth mindset as they learn to recognize and build on their personal strengths while also working to improve where needed. Teachers will follow children’s interests as they discover the world around them. All programs will follow an intentional play and inquiry-based emergent curriculum.
Infants, toddlers and young children build their emotional intelligence as they develop close relationships with teachers and peers, create and maintain friendships, and learn to label and manage big feelings. Prosocial and character building skills are taught such as sharing, taking turns, following directions, growing empathy skills, caring for living creatures, and learning to negotiate and compromise.
Social-Emotional Development & Growth
Meaningful learning takes place in our literacy rich environment where infants, toddlers and young children explore art, music, dance and movement, literature, dramatic play, science, technology, engineering and math. Kindergarten readiness skills will be integrated, where appropriate, throughout the day to ensure children leave our programs academically prepared and intellectually curious!
Intellectual Development & Growth
Gross and fine motor skills are developed through playful learning experiences. Infants, toddlers, and young children learn to recognize and appreciate their 7 senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, vestibular, and proprioception). Healthy habits including hygiene, nutrition, physical activity, and sleep will be introduced to create a foundation for lifelong healthy habits. A wide variety of sensorial experiences are provided. In all programs, a primary focus is placed on healthy brain growth.
In addition, there will be daily opportunities for large group time (circle times), teacher-facilitated small group activities, outdoor free play, structured outdoor activities, and most importantly a lot of messy play!
Physical Development & Growth
ATU believes in the importance of diverse and inclusive learning environments. We follow the guidance set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and will build the four core goals of anti-bias education into our programs:
Identity: Teachers will nurture each child's construction of knowledge, confident, individual personal and social identities. Children will demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.
Diversity: Teachers will promote each child's comfortable, empathetic interaction with people from diverse backgrounds. Children will express comfort and joy with human diversity, use accurate language for human differences, and form deep, caring connections across all dimensions of human diversity.
Justice: Teachers will foster each child's capacity to critically identify bias and will nurture each child's empathy for the hurt bias causes. Children will increasingly recognize unfairness (injustice), have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts.
Activism: Teachers will cultivate each child's ability and confidence to stand up for oneself and for others in the face of bias. Children will demonstrate a sense of empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions.
Anti-Bias, Inclusive Education
Outdoor Learning
Our beautiful, spacious yards are an extension of the classroom, where children explore, play, and learn. We spend as much time as possible outdoors, creating opportunities for discovery and growth in a natural setting. From art and math to dramatic play and science, we bring activities outside to maximize the benefits of fresh air and open spaces.er education begins.
According to research, children who play outdoors regularly:
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Sleep better at night
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Increased focus and reduced symptoms of ADHD
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Become fitter and leaner
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Develop stronger immune systems
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Have more active imaginations
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Have lower stress levels
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Play more creatively
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Have greater respect for themselves and others
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Reduce nearsightedness
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Lower rates of obesity and myopia (nearsightedness)
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Less anger and aggression
Did You Know?
Your child's progress is assessed twice a year. Documentation is compiled from observations, photographs, anecdotal notes and the Desired Results Developmental Profile measures to create a digital portfolio of your child's development and education. The portfolio highlights your child's growth and development in the areas of cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development. Family conferences are set up to discuss your child's progress, their portfolio, as well as any resources that a parent or guardian may need.
Progress Reports
Did you know?
Research has shown that children as young as three years old can already demonstrate aspects of growth mindset. Sutides have found that young children who are praised for their effort rather than their innate abilities tend to show greater persistence and resilience when faced with challenges. This early cultivation of a growth mindset sets a strong foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.