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Our curriculum
What is Evidence-Based Learning and Development in Childcare and Early Education?
Evidence-based learning practices capitalize on the best available information, from sources such as:
- Primary and secondary research
- Governmental agencies
- Professional societies
- Academic centers of excellence
This information enables us to develop early education and childcare curricula to support the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and language development of all children. We strive to achieve lasting positive outcomes.
Our curriculum at TOP TOTS adheres to educational standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) for English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, history and social science, comprehensive health, and the arts. However, we go above and beyond to consult data and evidence from the National Center for Education Research (NCER), Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child so that we’ll be in the best position to help your child learn and develop, and to prepare them for success in school and life.
Learn more about our curriculum for Toddler and Pre-School/Pre-K age groups
Toddlers (15 months to 2.9 years)
Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten (2.9 to 5 years)
Toddlers (15 months to 2.9 years)
Toddlers are full of energy, are active, and curious. Their motor skills and language develop rapidly, they begin to express themselves, and everything seems attractive to them. . .they want to touch, smell and taste everything! Our toddler curriculum seeks to develop areas that include (but are not limited to):
- Gross and fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination
- Ability to understand events, objects and spoken/written words
- Vocabulary, memory and speech
- Reading and math skills
- Reasoning and problem-solving skills
- Creativity and logical thinking
- Identity and sense of self
- Independence, confidence, self-esteem and a positive attitude
- Ability to express themselves and interact with others in a healthy, empathetic manner
A typical day in our TOP TOTS Toddler program may be as follows (note: this is only an example, daily schedules will be available to parents on the Brightwheel app):
TIME | Sample Activity |
7:30 am to 8:30 am | Arrival (check in begins), rug/table activities |
8:30 am to 9:00 am | Morning meeting and group activity |
9:00 am to 9:30 am | Morning snack and positive skill development |
9:30 am to 10:00 am | Art and crafts activity |
10:00 am to 11:00 am | Group activity and lesson (math skills) |
11:00 am to 12:00 pm | OUTSIDE play and motor skills |
12:00 pm to 12:15 pm | Clean up for lunch |
12:15 pm to 12:45 pm | Lunch and positive skill development |
12:45 pm to 1:00 pm | Quiet mat activities |
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Nap or quiet time |
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm | Clean up, snack |
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm | Science and technology activity |
4:00 pm to 4:45 pm | OUTSIDE play and group activity |
4:45 pm to 5:30 pm | Rug/table activity and clean up |
5:30 pm | Departure (check out) |
Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten (2.9 to 5 years)
Children of Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten age thrive on new experiences. They are active, busy, verbal, and take initiative to test out new ideas and behaviors. They try hard to please us adults and are learning to be cooperative with other children. Our Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten program is wide-ranging to meet the needs of their developing minds and bodies and:
- Perfect their large and small motor skills and and/eye coordination
- Develop their proficiency and appreciation for math, literacy, science/engineering, and visual, creative, and performing arts
- Develop confidence in their abilities and gain more independence
- Develop their ability to think out loud, talk through situations, express their thoughts and feelings, and understand cause-and-effect
- Help them plan and organize their own activities
- Teach them to cooperate, share, and manage conflict in a healthy and compassionate manner
- Develop their vitality, healthy living practices, and appreciation for the world around them
A typical day in our TOP TOTS Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten program may be as follows (note: this is only an example, actual daily schedules will be available to parents on the Brightwheel app):
|
TIME |
Sample Activity |
|
7:30 am to 8:30 am |
Arrival (check in begins), rug/table activities |
|
8:30 am to 9:00 am |
Morning meeting and group activity |
|
9:00 am to 9:30 am |
Morning snack and positive skill development |
|
9:30 am to 10:00 am |
Circle time |
|
10:00 am to 11:00 am |
Centers of choice- dramatic play, blocks, puzzles, library |
|
11:00 am to 11:45 am |
OUTSIDE play and group activities |
|
11:45 am to 12:00 pm |
Clean up for lunch |
|
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm |
Lunch and positive skill development |
|
12:30 pm to 1:00 pm |
Quiet mat activities |
|
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm |
Nap or quiet time |
|
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm |
Clean up, snack |
|
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm |
Science and technology activity |
|
4:00 pm to 4:45 pm |
OUTSIDE play and group activity |
|
4:45 pm to 5:30 pm |
Rug/table activity and clean up |
|
5:30 pm |
Departure (check out) |
