Curriculum
The Octopus Garden primarily utilizes The Creative Curriculum (endorsed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children). In addition, our teachers use a variety of other resources in creating and implementing their weekly lesson plans. Our objective is to provide a wide range of “hands-on” learning experiences that promote each child’s total development. Our complete curriculum is designed to develop intellectual and personal competence rather than to train children in performing a limited set of academic skills.
Creative Curriculum overview:
The Creative Curriculum is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum led by student interest that encourages critical thinking skills through investigations and project-based learning. It’s an interdisciplinary curriculum that embeds components for different parts of your day, including math and literacy, all driven through play. The Creative Curriculum includes developmentally appropriate goals and objectives for children within four main categories of interest: social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language. Within this stage, children learn how to make friends, how to have group interactions and how to follow rules.
Parent Involvement and Developmental Milestones
Parents and The Octopus Garden staff share a common commitment to each child’s development. Communication and cooperation are essential and should be ongoing so that a parent and teacher share their knowledge about each child’s needs and experiences. Parents are welcome to visit at any time and we encourage your participation in all school activities. Each spring, parents will receive an evaluation of their children called Developmental Milestones. Parent-Teacher conferences to discuss your child’s development will be held upon request. Parent meetings and workshops will also be held periodically to provide support and educational opportunities.