TCDN curriculum encompasses learning that is relevant to everything that happens in a classroom. Our goal is to provide children with appropriate experiences and environments that help them develop the desire to learn. Using strategies based on our philosophy, teachers view both planned and spontaneous learning activities as opportunities to foster children’s development and produce an opportunity for children to acquire knowledge and skill along with a sense of wonder, curiosity and discovery.

Our curriculum strategies draw from the children’s individual interests and developmental levels, the family’s cultures and backgrounds and the teacher’s personal insight and experiences. Curriculum is unique to each classroom or program.

Within this framework, teachers have clearly defined learning objectives for children based on developmentally appropriate practice and Pennsylvania’s Learning Standards for Early Childhood.  When implementing curriculum, teachers are mindful of the following key elements:

• Knowledge of how children develop and learn
• Creating a stimulating learning environment with a variety of materials and interest areas that offer choices in all content areas
• A balanced daily schedule that is consistent, yet flexible
• Using child observations to make decisions that motivate children to explore and stay actively engaged
• Ongoing assessment of children’s progress
• Developing individual goals for children.