Curriculum

Appletree Christian Learning Center’s comprehensive curriculum is theme based. There are overall monthly themes and specific weekly sub-themes. The activities, projects, and learning centers incorporated into the classroom lesson plans assist in reinforcing the current theme. A set of monthly concepts are also introduced, practiced and reviewed. These concepts consist of letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and a character building trait. Each month a different children’s book author is featured, along with a chosen book by that particular author. Children practice and review all the components of our curriculum during each daily “circle-time.” Depending on the age of the child some journaling, and practice work may also be implemented to broaden the understanding of the concepts and themes. Each day children are allotted time for gross and fine motor activities that correspond with their developmental stage. Appletree Christian Learning Center also incorporates a few supplemental programs to help further enhance your child’s learning experience. The programs are listed and described below.

Pinnacle Early Childhood Curriculum

This is a curriculum written by a team of 31 early childhood experts and designed to engage children in developmentally appropriate activities. Below are some Pinnacle curriculum details:

• Based on the works of Piaget, Gardner, and Erikson
• Developmentally appropriate activities are developed to be consistent with NAEYC guidelines
• Clearly stated learning objectives to help facilitate learning in all domains
• Flexible programming to accommodate varied learning styles
• Carefully selected themes that capture children’s interest
• Long-range goals linked to Key Standards

Each day children are also allotted time for gross and fine motor activities that correspond with their developmental stage. Appletree Christian Learning Center also incorporates a few supplemental programs to help further enhance your child’s learning experience. The programs are listed and described below.

Zoo-Phonics®

This basic program is designed for "reading readiness”. The Zoo-Phonics® methodology fully involves your child’s eyes, ears, mouth and body as they learn phonemic awareness, the alphabet and how to decode (read) and encode (spell/write). This program pairs letters with an animal, a motion, and the letter sound. Zoo-Phonics®emphasizes letter sounds rather than the letter itself; therefore, encouraging reading at an earlier age. The program allows children the ability to move, have fun and they are processing information through this movement and sound production! Zoo-Phonics® may begin being introduced as early as the wobbler/ toddler program.

The Baby Signs®

In our infant and toddler classrooms we utilize The Baby Signs® program. This program encourages communication with children who may not yet be able to express themselves verbally. It provides infants and toddlers the ability to communicate wants and needs to their caregivers at an early age. Each month we focus on a new sign while reviewing and practicing the signs from previous months. The Baby Signs® books are read aloud and songs are sung with the children using the signs. Signs are always presented both verbally and with the hand motion; therefore, encouraging language development as well.