Toddler Child Care Curriculum, Madison
Kids Junction Learning Center’s goal is to have every child’s day filled with learning experiences while meeting the needs of each child’s individual development.
Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) – WMELS provides us with developmental continuums from which we can create individual goals for the children to help us assess their age-appropriate and milestone development.
Developmental Milestones and Assessments – The Developmental Milestones help us define expectations to support planning and developmental awareness. To promote growth in every area of development, each child is observed and a goal plan is monitored. A fall and spring assessment highlighting these strengths and goals is provided to each family.
Play Based Learning – Kids Junction Learning Center places a priority on giving children several opportunities for play during the day. Play is central to children’s healthy development and learning during the preschool years.
KJ Bible Curriculum – Kids Junction has developed a specialized infant and toddler Bible curriculum. Each month a specific theme, along with Bible scriptures and stories, is shared with the little ones.
Frog Street – Frog Street Infant is a curriculum designed for children up to 18 months of age. This curriculum allows teachers to assess the skills and plan activities of each individual child in the area of the five developmental and WMELS domains: cognitive, language, physical, social and emotional and creativity. The skills and activities are posted in the classroom for all teachers to be able to interact individually with each child and to allow the parents to see what the children are working on at school and continue to work on those skills at home.
Language and Literacy – Through storytelling, finger plays, sign language, songs and child/teacher interactions, children will begin to develop their language skills through repetition and conversation. These are crucial tools to give children the opportunity to express themselves.
Numbers and Math – Counting and number recognition are integrated throughout our learning experiences. We use a variety of materials to teach the early concepts of math such as sorting, in and out, patterns, shapes, and more.
The World Around Us (Science and Discovery) – Kids Junction Science is taught through observation and hands-on activities. We bring nature into the classroom and explore it outdoors. They discover texture, and explore with their five senses.
Social Studies – The scope and sequence contains themes such as All About Me and My Family as well as Christmas around the World in which we talk about the traditions and cultures of the families in our classroom and center. In every classroom you will find a dramatic play area, books, pictures, toys and other materials that show diversity that represents varying ages, abilities, races, genders and cultures.
Music and Movement – Music and movement take place throughout the day. It is an integral part of transitions, free play and storytelling. It enhances language development, rhyming, and hand-eye coordination.
Music (special) – In addition to the daily musical activities the teachers do in the classroom, a music teacher comes into the room once a week and works on musical concepts with the kids at their level. She sits with them on the floor and allows them to explore musical instruments such as bells and shakers; musical tones and the introduction of simple instruments bring a smile to every child as they create their own music.
Art – Weekly art activities create an opportunity for the little ones to explore their imagination with colors, shapes and textures.
Programs and Special Events – We enjoy hosting all our families and friends at special events throughout the year. Our Christmas and Spring concerts are planned and rehearsed for weeks to provide parents, grandparents etc. the opportunity to see their child perform. Our infant and toddler programs are recorded and can be viewed online. 4K graduation is always a very special event as our 4K students parade down the aisle to Pomp and Circumstance and are awarded their diploma. The end of summer carnival is a celebration for all the children and families and includes bounce houses, obstacle course, prize tables, face painting, pony rides and a cook out for everyone to enjoy. Please check the Kids Junction calendar for additional special events.