Curriculum
The curriculum at Artisan Childcare Center is developed and implemented collaboratively by our internal team of educators in partnership with the Director. Leveraging the latest trends and guidelines in early-childhood education, Artisan has adopted a multisensory and multidimensional approach to the individual learning needs and developmental stages of the children in our care.
The development of social and emotional skills is the basis for all learning. Children who feel safe, secure, loved, and have a sense of community will learn best. Our administration and staff ensure these needs are met throughout the day in a kind and warm environment. After a child’s needs are met in this area, they are able to engage in academic learning.
By including the full spectrum of child development in our curriculum — from STEAM exploration to social-skill building to literacy — Artisan ensures that the “whole child” is educated and nurtured. Our teachers have the autonomy to use their own educational background to create curricula and themes. Each school year, faculty will adjust the themes to incorporate the interests and preferences of the children in their care, keeping the children engaged; leading to better retention of knowledge.
We consider our outdoor space as an extension of the classroom; allowing teachers to plan outdoor learning activities to maximize the limited good weather that we experience in New England. In today’s “screen culture” we believe that children need more time outdoors to develop their sixth and seventh senses: vestibular and proprioception. These are the body’s awareness of balance and movement within space, which is learned through moving on different terrains, running, tumbling, climbing and digging.
Artisan also values the many cultural differences in our student body. At last count, our families spoke over 20 different languages in the home! While we are not a co-op style program which requires parent participation, we welcome families to contribute to our curriculum. We encouraging parents to share experiences, activities and cuisine from their respective cultures to broaden the world-view of the little minds for whom we care.
Elements found in our curriculum are:
Daily piano or violin lessons for children 3 years and older
Daily in-class Music & Movement lessons for infants and toddlers
Fostering natural curiosity about the world by teaching themes in which children have expressed interested.
How to find answers to questions and solve problems in conjunction with peers
Daily story-time to develop an appreciation of literature
Developing natural talents in the arts by exploring various mediums such as clay, paint, and collage
Teaching empathy to form a classroom community of considerate learners
Serving the innate love of the outdoors by utilizing our playground for both motor skill development and natural exploration