WILLOWBRAE ACADEMY CURRICULUM
Introduction
Willowbrae Academy’s curriculum is the heart of what we provide for our children. It is made up of six learning areas: Social Skills & Diversity, Emotional Skills, Cognitive Abilities, Communication, Language & Literacy, Physical Health, and Imagination & Creativity. The curriculum has been developed based on three proven methods of learning: Montessori, High Scope and Emergent.
In support of our curriculum, three unique programs: Young Scholars, BodyBreak KID FIT and Creative Kids have been designed to create measurable improvements in these important areas of learning in a fun and safe environment.
Our programs encourage children to develop their skills from initial exposure through to mastery under the caring support of our Early Childhood Educators. Activities, both inside and outside the classroom, are designed to provide opportunities for practice and are linked to each child’s unique pace of progress by measurable expected outcomes.
Parents/guardians are included as a valuable part of each child’s learning process through parent curriculum engagement. This encourages children to practice our activities at home. At Willowbrae, we promote the process of learning as a group effort; educators and parents working together to help children reach their full potential.
MONTESSORI
Montessori focuses on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development. Children choose how they want to learn.
HIGH SCOPE
High Scope supports the belief that children learn the best when they participate actively in the learning process. Active participatory learning is a partnership between teachers and children.
EMERGENT
Emergent is a curriculum based on the child and teacher's interest and passion. Flexibility and creativity are key compounds.
Meeting the individual needs and interests of a child is our number one priority. Our Early Childhood Educators are committed to providing every child with the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. At Willowbrae, we feel our curriculum is the key to a successful foundation for lifelong learning.
Learning Areas
Our responsibility to the children in our care is to make every day a new experience and challenge. At Willowbrae, our curriculum includes key learning areas designed to enable children to learn about themselves, others and the world around them. Willowbrae Academy focuses on six learning areas: social skills and diversity, emotional skills, cognitive abilities, communication, language and literacy, physical health, imagination and creativity.
SOCIAL SKILLS AND DIVERSITY
Children are exposed to a socially inclusive and culturally sensitive environment, where social responsibility is nurtured. Children are taught to respect diversity and appreciate their own uniqueness and that of others. Children learn how to be emphatic, co-operative, helping, and how to develop friendships.
EMOTIONAL SKILLS
Children experience a safe and caring environment where their emotional health, positive self-identities and sense of belonging are fostered. Children develop a sense of self and a sense of others. Children learn to form trusting, respectful relationships.
COGNITIVE ABILITIES
Children experience open and flexible environments where playful exploration and problem solving are encouraged. Children test their limits, learn the dynamics of working together, and develop different strategies to identify and work out problems. Children also learn to question, observe and inquire about the world around them.
COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
Children experience intellectually, socially and culturally engaging environments where their speech, language, literacy and social communication skills are valued and supported. These skills are developed through classroom activities, peer interaction, and active play.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Children experience safe and caring environments where physical health and positive lifestyle choices are promoted and encouraged. Children explore body and movement, develop gross and fine motor skills, learn about food and nutrition, and are taught to take responsibility for personal care.
IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY
Children are exposed to open and flexible environments where imagination and creativity are encouraged through dramatic play, music, dance, arts and crafts. Children create imaginary scenarios in which they explore new possibilities. Children are encouraged to create something new and original.
