About Developmental Domains
One of the goals of our curriculum is to meet all children where they are developmentally and to assist them in continuing to develop to their full potential. Children develop in a similar manner but on a timetable that is unique to each child. That means that any given time in the classroom the children are at a variety of developmental levels.
One three-year old may be reading while another is just starting to recognize the alphabet. The same child who is able to read may still be challenged when it comes to socially interacting with his or her classmates. The child who is beginning to recognize the alphabet may be the most agile child when it comes to playing a game of catch and keep away.
Our curriculum stirves to meet the individual needs and assist the development of each child in all developmental areas or domains: intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. We utilize what is called whole child instruction. This means that we support the concept that young chidlren are developing in several different areas or domains simultaneously and that each of these areas of development is equally important. Not only are they equally important, they are also interwoven. It has been said that the social and emotional well-being of the child fuels the intellect. At the same time without intellectual capabilities, the child's social and emotional development would suffer. The latest research indicates that hese two developmental areas, intellecutal and social/emotional, actually develop hand in hand.
Activities you can do at home to support each area of development for your child include:
Cognitive Domain--the development and refinement of rational thought.
Have a good time! The journey through early childhood cannot be repeated.
One three-year old may be reading while another is just starting to recognize the alphabet. The same child who is able to read may still be challenged when it comes to socially interacting with his or her classmates. The child who is beginning to recognize the alphabet may be the most agile child when it comes to playing a game of catch and keep away.
Our curriculum stirves to meet the individual needs and assist the development of each child in all developmental areas or domains: intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. We utilize what is called whole child instruction. This means that we support the concept that young chidlren are developing in several different areas or domains simultaneously and that each of these areas of development is equally important. Not only are they equally important, they are also interwoven. It has been said that the social and emotional well-being of the child fuels the intellect. At the same time without intellectual capabilities, the child's social and emotional development would suffer. The latest research indicates that hese two developmental areas, intellecutal and social/emotional, actually develop hand in hand.
Activities you can do at home to support each area of development for your child include:
Cognitive Domain--the development and refinement of rational thought.
- Ask questions. Encourage your child to relect on things he or she has learned or experienced. For example, if your child plays a soccer game ask how he feels about winning (or losing) the game. Ask what he thinks he might want to practice in order to be a better player ofr the next game.
- Encourage your child to solve his or her own (child-size) problems. If a ball gets stuck in a tree, let your child brainstorm and try out ways to retrieve the ball. If the sun gets in your child's eyes in the car, ask her to think of ways to block the sun.
- Teach your child a new vocabulary word each day. See how many times a day each of you can use the word in a sentence.
- Spend a few minutes of quiet time with your child each day. A special time that is just for the two of you and a special time your child can count on as his or hers. Maybe you want to read to your child (or with your child) each evening. Spending quiet time together helps build a bond of trust and caring.
- Teach your child to control his or her impulses. Set boundaries. Children should be able to control many of their impulses by the age of four.
- Povide opportunities for your child to experience group activities. It is important for your child to learn to play with children who are both older and younger.
- Challenge your child to a race. Fly a kite. Toss a frisbee.
- Encourage your child to help you wrap gifts, shell peas, shuck corn, or fold towels. All of these things take physical coordination.
- Take your child to the park. Every piece of play equipment there supports physical development.
Have a good time! The journey through early childhood cannot be repeated.