Curriculum Guidelines

Our curriculum is guided by the Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards 2023. These standards articulate shared expectations for what young children should know and be able to do. The standards have been derived from the latest research in early childhood development. They include nine domains of learning as referenced above. For more information, please visit their website.

Rhode Island Early Learning & Development Standards Domains: Physical Health and Motor Development (PH), Social and Emotional Development (SE), Language Development (LD), Literacy (L) ,Cognitive Development (CD), Mathematics (M), Science (S), Social Studies (SS), Creative Arts (CA)

Physical Health and Motor Development

We believe the healthy development of young children is linked to practicing healthy behaviors, strengthening large and small muscles, and developing strength and coordination. Teachers are role models for health and safety practices. Outdoor play is equally important as children learning to count and recognize the alphabet. It crosses domains of learning such as social and emotional, science, mathematics and more! Our teachers promote active and engaging outdoor activities every day.

Social Studies

We recognize the importance of children developing an awareness of community, history and geography. The children will have opportunities to practice understanding the rules of the classroom and solve conflicts. Opportunities for role playing of various occupations occur in dramatic play. Children will explore history, characteristics of others, family members and identify cultural characteristics and traditions of families.

Creative Arts

We believe that art is an essential part of a child’s education. Our program provides children ages 2 through 5 with opportunities to explore their creativity through various forms of art, including painting, drawing, and sculpting. Our teachers encourage children to express themselves through their art and use it as a tool for learning.

Social and Emotional Development

Social and emotional development includes providing a safe, nurturing and trusting environment where children form close and positive adult and peer relationships. Each child’s temperament is unique to themselves. Our teachers promote positive self-confidence and self-esteem. Through various age-appropriate learning opportunities children will increase their ability to regulate their emotions and behavior.

Cognitive Development

We recognize the importance of exploring objects and materials. Through everyday experiences and interactions, there are opportunities for children to learn how to solve problems, differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar people, attend to things they find interesting even when distractions are present and understand how their actions affect others. Our teachers will encourage children to participate in activities and experiences to promote executive function. For example, following directions. counting games, building blocks contribute to executive function.

Language Development

We understand the importance of language development in young children. Our program provides children with opportunities to develop their language skills through reading, storytelling, and conversation. Receptive and expressive language will be enhanced as teachers talk and explain their actions as well as introduce new words to help them express themselves.

Mathematics

Mathematics is an important part of our program at Sunshine Child Development Center. We believe that early exposure to math concepts can help children develop problem-solving skills and set the foundation for future academic success. Our program includes activities such as counting, sorting, and pattern recognition, measurement, identifying shapes and positions of objects to help children develop a strong foundation in mathematics.

Literacy

Literacy development includes phonological awareness (sounds in spoken language), alphabet knowledge, print awareness, text comprehension and interest, and emergent writing. Rhymes and chants are important for two year old children. As children get older, rhyming games and songs are important. Teachers will introduce new words throughout the day. Children will be introduced to book awareness and begin to understand that print carries meaning.

Science

Children share many of the characteristics of young scientists They are curious and persistent explorers who use their senses to investigate, observe and make sense of the world around them. Children will begin to ask questions, collect data, generate what they discover. The teachers create learning opportunities for children to learn about physical science, earth and space science and life science.