When it comes to the ages of 0-3 the Care for Kindies School Readiness Curriculum is critical as it sets a strong foundation for future learning. During this stage a child is experiencing significant development when it comes to cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth.
At Care for Kindies our weekly Lesson Plans are based on a particular focus for each term:
Term 1: Strong Sense of Self
Term 2: Strong Sense of Belonging
Term 3: Pre-literacy and Pre-numeracy
Term 4: Applied Literacy and Numeracy
The weekly Lesson Plans are created for the 4 different ages groups - 0-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4-5 years.
Let’s look at some of the ways the Care for Kindies School Readiness Curriculum is critical for children specifically in the 0-3 year age group:
1. Early Brain Development: The first three years of life are crucial for brain development. The school readiness curriculum provides activities and experiences that promote neural connections and cognitive growth. Engaging sensory play, exploratory activities, and interactions with caregivers all contribute to building a strong cognitive foundation.
2. Language Acquisition: Language development begins from birth, and the curriculum encourages rich language exposure and interactions. Caregivers are guided to engage in conversations, read aloud, and sing with infants and toddlers. These interactions foster vocabulary acquisition, communication skills, and a love for language.
3. Social and Emotional Learning: Even in the earliest stages children are developing social and emotional skills. The school readiness curriculum emphasises positive interactions, attachment, and responsive caregiving. It provides strategies for recognising and supporting emotional needs, promoting secure attachments, and building self-awareness.
4. Sensory Exploration: Infants and toddlers learn primarily through their senses. The Care for Kindies curriculum incorporates sensory-rich activities that encourage exploration through touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. These experiences contribute to cognitive development, motor skills, and an understanding of the world around them.
5. Play-Based Exploration: Play is the natural mode of learning for young children. The curriculum encourages open-ended play that allows children to experiment, problem-solve, and discover. This hands-on exploration supports cognitive development, creativity, and a sense of agency.
6. Cultural Awareness and Diversity: The curriculum promotes an understanding of diverse cultures and backgrounds from the earliest age. It acknowledges the importance of exposing children to a variety of experiences and perspectives to foster inclusivity and empathy.
The Care for Kindies School Readiness Curriculum is a comprehensive framework that aligns with the developmental needs of children in the 0-5 age group.
By incorporating sensory exploration, language development, social and emotional learning, motor skill development, and family involvement, the school readiness curriculum sets the stage for a positive and enriching early childhood education experience.
