Key practices

We build curriculum based on the following key practices.

Meaningful Environments

Columba (3)
Planning and arranging space is a key – but often overlooked – component of high-quality early education programs. The environment lets a child know they are safe, they belong, and they are valued. It drives their sense of self and development of identity.

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Continuity of Care

Continuity-of-care

With an emphasis on continuity of care, children enrolled in the Demonstration School are grouped utilizing the concept of “families”, where a child has the same group for his/her first three years of life, limiting the number of transitions a child goes through during this…

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Dual Language Learning

3.-Dual-language
This vital aspect of the Demonstration School programming focuses exposing children to a second language. Strategies are introduced to help families increase their understanding of the importance of communicating in the home language, while they support a child in the…

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Early Literacy

4. Early Literacy
Through a literary arts component, children learn how to communicate with the world around them. We know that early language and literacy development begins in the first three years and is closely linked to a child’s earliest experiences with books and stories.

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Family Engagement

5. Family Engagement
Family engagement is a key component of the Demonstration School’s work. The family engagement staff works with families to promote and enhance the family-child relationship. They also provide families with information about their child’s growth…

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Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry-based-learning
Inquiry-based learning is an approach that is guided by an investigation or questions posed by children. Teachers observe children closely to know where their interests lie and together develop questions for research.

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Scientific and Mathematical Thinking

7. Scientific and Mathematical thinking
The garden in the Demonstration School’s backyard provides a living laboratory for children birth to 5 while serving as a model for early care and education professionals. It promotes nature as a context for learning…

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Social Emotional Development

Friendship Lucas and Landon
Teachers are trained using MindUP, an evidence-based curriculum that fosters social and emotional awareness. Through lessons, teachers help to promote and develop attention to oneself and others, tolerance to differences and…

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Technology

8. Technology (Option 2)
At the Demonstration School technology is used as another medium to help children and teacher solve problem, communicate and research topics. Classrooms are equipped with technology that allows teaching staff to observe and document…

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Wellness

9. Wellness
The Demonstration School menu meets dietary recommendations based on Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) by the Institute of Medicine and guidelines from the Child Care Food Program, USDA and Head Start. The menus take into consideration cultural preferences…

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