Programs and Curriculum

Infants (6 weeks – 12 months)

Theme: Textures and Sounds

Area of Development	Activity
Physical (Fine/Gross)	Tummy time with textured mats; crawling toward soft balls
Emotional/Social	Peek-a-boo and mirror play with caregiver interactions
Language/Literacy	Reading simple board books aloud (“Brown Bear, Brown Bear…”)
Cognitive	Exploring cause-and-effect with soft sensory toys (rattles, crinkle toys)

🍼 Note: Activities are individualized based on developmental stage and infant routines.

Young Toddlers (1 – 2 years)

Theme: Colors Around Me

Area of Development	Activity
Physical (Fine/Gross)	Stacking soft blocks (fine); walking on a taped balance line (gross)
Emotional/Social	Parallel play with soft toys; practicing taking turns with staff guidance
Language/Literacy	Singing color songs (“Red, Red is the Color I See”), pointing to pictures
Cognitive	Sorting toys by color using large bins

👣 Goal: Introduce early concepts like colors through repetition and hands-on exploration.

Older Toddlers (2 – 3 years)

Theme: My Family and Me

Area of Development	Activity
Physical (Fine/Gross)	Drawing with crayons (fine); animal movement games (jump like a frog)
Emotional/Social	Role-playing “family” in dramatic play area
Language/Literacy	Reading “I Love You Through and Through,” talking about family members
Cognitive	Matching pictures of family members or objects

🏠 Extension: Use family photo cards brought from home to create a classroom book.

Pre-K (4 – 5 years)

Theme: Community Helpers

Area of Development	Activity
Physical (Fine/Gross)	Cutting community helper pictures (fine); firefighter obstacle course (gross)
Emotional/Social	Cooperative group project: create a class mural of the community
Language/Literacy	Storytime: “Whose Hat Is This?” + writing/drawing what they want to be
Cognitive	Classifying tools or jobs (e.g., who drives the ambulance?)

🧑‍🚒 Goal: Help children understand community roles while practicing critical thinking and teamwork.

Inclusive Teaching Methods Statement

At Days of Praise Academy, our educators use a variety of developmentally appropriate teaching methods and materials to accommodate children’s individual learning styles, interests, and physical abilities. This ensures that every child—regardless of age, developmental stage, or ability—can participate meaningfully in all classroom activities.

We implement the following strategies:

1. Multi-Sensory Learning Approaches

Visual: Picture cards, color charts, felt boards, books with vibrant images
Auditory: Storytime, singing, recorded music, rhythm activities
Tactile/Kinesthetic: Sensory bins, textured art materials, building blocks, playdough

2. Adapted Materials for Varied Physical Abilities

Fine motor tools: Chunky crayons, large paintbrushes, knobbed puzzles, adaptive scissors
Gross motor options: Balance beams, push toys, scooters with handles
Manipulatives: Blocks in different sizes, lacing beads, magnetic tiles

3. Differentiated Instruction

Activities are modified or extended based on children’s developmental levels:
Example: While one child works on fitting basic shape sorters, another explores a more complex nesting puzzle.
Teachers provide individual or small-group support when needed, offering verbal prompts, modeling, or hand-over-hand assistance.

4. Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching

Classroom books, dolls, and posters reflect diverse cultures, languages, and abilities
Teachers incorporate bilingual songs or phrases when appropriate
Children’s home languages, family structures, and traditions are welcomed and respected in classroom activities

5. Positive Guidance and Emotional Support

Teachers adjust expectations based on each child’s temperament, communication style, and sensory needs

Social stories, picture schedules, and quiet areas are used to support emotional regulation and self-guided learning