Curriculum...

Pooh Corner's curriculum is that young children need many opportunities to make choices, direct their own learning, and feel successful. Children are encouraged to explore their environments, to question, to take responsibility and to learn to make choices. We're teaching them how to learn, not just in preschool, but all through their lives. We're allowing them to learn at their own pace and in the ways that are best for them. Pooh Corner recognizes that a healthy self-concept is critical for learning to take place and to help the child make the transition from home to school. We're giving them good habits and attitudes which will make a difference throughout their lives. The Preschool curriculum is developed using both Creative Curriculum® and the State of CT Benchmarks & Frameworks. The Infant/Toddler curriculum uses Creative Curriculum® as a resource. Pooh Corner also recognizes the importance of the home environment and community. We are respectful of each family’s home values, beliefs, experiences and language. It is a partnership we value; the collaboration between home, school and community.

Our curriculum identifies goals in all areas of development,

• Social: To help children feel comfortable in school, trust their new environment, make friends, and feel they are a part of the group.
• Emotional: To help children experience pride and self- confidence, develop independence and self-control, and have a positive attitude toward life.
• Cognitive: To help children become confident learners by letting them try out their own ideas and experience success, and by helping them acquire learning skills such as the ability to solve problems, ask questions, and use words to describe their ideas, observations, and feelings.
• Physical: To help children increase their large and small muscle skills and feel confident about what their bodies can do.

The activities we plan for children, the way we organize the environment, select toys and materials, plan the daily schedule, and talk with children, are all designed to accomplish the goals of our curriculum and give your child a successful start in school and life.

Pooh Corner uses the Creative Curriculum® assessment tools in all programs to develop both individual and program goals. Observations are used to develop strategies to insure all children have opportunities to enhance their individual strengths. Classroom observations are used to develop strategies to assess program strengths and to eliminate weaknesses. Families are always encouraged to include their input. The children are assessed through informal observations as they play. On occasion, specific skills are assessed through one on one meetings.