Curriculum

Curriculum Information

Research Based Curriculum

Carousel of Learning, Early Learning Center & Child Care offers a formal, state approved, Research-Based Curriculum as well as an emergent curriculum approach. What makes us unique though, is that we understand young children learn best when they are deeply engaged in learning. Through consistent observation, teachers gain a greater understanding of each child's needs and interests. Through thoughtful planning that follows the interests of the children, we can guarantee a deep level of engagement as studies come alive! Scroll down for an overview of the curriculum offered for each age group.

Infant Curriculum

Our Infant Curriculum Supports Relationship Based Play & Discovery!

Our formal, state-approved Infant Curriculum is tailored to young infants, older infants, and young toddlers. It is aligned with the NJ Birth to Three, Early Learning Standards: Social-Emotional; Language Development and Communication; Cognitive; Physical Motor Development; and Approaches to Learning are addressed.

Shared experiences nurture warm and caring emotional connections with the child that build trust and security. Play opportunities are offered that invite children to engage, explore, and discover their environment through planned activities and everyday routines. Our skilled caregivers are trained to read infant cues, that tell them the child is interested in continuing with experiences or not quite interested in the moment. Infant Classroom teachers and staff also know that daily care routines offer one-on-one opportunities to interact and build relationships with every child. Reflections and learning observations about each child's unique development are regularly shared with families through learning observations, pictures, and videos posted on the app, as well as informal conversations, and scheduled conferences.

Toddler Curriculum

Our formal, state approved Toddler Curriculum incorporates intentional learning activities into daily routines. It is also aligned with the NJ Birth to Three, Early Learning Standards: Social-Emotional; Language Development and Communication; Cognitive; Physical Motor Development; and Approaches to Learning are addressed. The unique needs, interests, and abilities of all children are met.

The curriculum nurtures the needs of young toddlers and twos. Everyday moments present opportunities to build upon their natural curiosity. Meaningful interactions are created that help young children learn to regulate their own emotions and behaviors, participate in a group, develop relationships with people in their lives, and have confidence in their own learning.

We also offer a supplemental social-emotional learning curriculum, that helps Toddlers strengthen their self-regulation skills and foster meaningful relationships. Teachers and caregivers can provide children with the opportunity to develop secure attachments through developmentally appropriate resources that allow them to gain confidence as learners.

Additionally, teachers observe the children's play for different types of Schema explorations, that often guide lesson planning. See our Blog entry on Schema Play to learn more!

Junior Preschool, Preschool, & Pre-K Curriculum

Our formal state-approved Preschool/Pre-K curriculum, is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. It is aligned with the NJ Preschool Teaching & Learning Standards. Through studies which are hands-on, developmentally appropriate, and tied to quality literature, teachers build children's confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills, which promote positive outcomes.

Project Based Learning experiences also follow the interests of the children. Our teachers observe, plan, and act as guides, learning alongside the children. An Emergent Curriculum along with elements of the Reggio Emilia Philosophy are part of Carousel of Learning's approach to implement developmentally appropriate programs that promote children’s social-emotional development and learning in the core content areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts.

Content Areas covered include:

Language & Literacy Development: vocabulary and oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, letter recognition, print concepts, reading/literature, comprehension, speaking and listening

Writing: letter formation and emergent writing for real purposes

Mathematics: number concepts, shapes and geometry, patterns and sorting; measurement, logic/problem solving, data collection, organization, and representation

Science: scientific reasoning and experiments, physical science, life science, and earth and the environment

Social Studies: families and communities, geography, citizenship, people and how they live, history/past events

The Arts: music, dance and movement, drama, and the visual arts

Social & Emotional Development: self-concept, self-direction, and social relationships

Physical Development: gross motor, fine motor, health and safety

Interest Areas:

The Emergent Curriculum incorporates classroom interest areas that offer multiple opportunities for children to explore, discover, and learn: Literacy & Library; Blocks & Structures; Science/Discovery; Dramatic Play; Toys & Games; Math Manipulatives; Loose Parts; Light & Shadow; Music & Movement; Art; Cooking Experiences