Curriculum
ITAV curriculum is a unique approach to preschool education, with influences form various child led approaches to ultimately create a whole child learning experience. While this curriculum is tailored for ITAV, it is also fully aligned to the NYS Pre-Kindergarten Foundations for Common Core.
ITAV’s curriculum is implemented throughout the child’s day, inter weaving naturally during morning meetings, enrichment classes, and play time. We believe our commitment to foster the relationship with nature also allows the teachers at ITAV to take advantage of the teachable moments that happen inside and outside of the classroom. It Takes a Village is one of 7 nationally certified Outdoor Classrooms in Suffolk County. Children at ITAV are able to experience lengthy unstructured outdoor time every day of the year. Please see some of the links below for articles highlighting the benefits of outdoor schools.
IT Takes a Village is committed to meeting every child where they are and to encourage and strengthen them academically, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Physical
· Gross and Fine motor development is fostered inside and outside the classroom.
· The Outdoor Classroom allows children to freely explore various climbing structures and ground cover. The availability of loose parts allows the children to work together to build, create and execute obstacle courses. Our space is designed to allow an appropriate amount of “risky play” while still under the supervision of staff.
· Our Enrichment programs offer a diverse range of gross motor activities to introduce children in an age appropriate way.
· The indoor classroom is filled with opportunities to foster and develop fine motor skills in an effort to set a foundation for future handwriting skills.
Social
· Building a strong Community connection.
· Developing routines and rituals in the classroom.
· Fostering environmental awareness.
Academic
· Language Arts is taught using whole language approach and through a print rich environment. The 3s program works to build pre - writing foundations through process based art projects and playing with different art mediums to strengthen fine motor muscles use to put pencil to paper. Pre-K students who are ready to do just this are taught using the Handwriting without Tears Program.
· Math is delivered in hands on engaging exploration. Concepts are always represented in a concrete form first with lots of real-world and hands on practice, before eventually moving on to a more representational awareness of numbers, counting and other math concepts.
Emotional
· Encouraging independence and self-care.
· Guiding children in regulating emotions.
· Building friendships.
· Fostering an environment where children can be emotionally ready to learn.
Super Soccer Stars
Uses the soccer ball as the vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skill, home socialization skill, and learn teamwork. Dynamic coaches work with small groups of children to develop skill in a fun, non-competitive, educational environment.
As part of our full day program children have the opportunity to participate in enrichment classes like dance, yoga, multi medium art, music, and cooking, taught by committed members of our community.
Messy Art
Allows children to truly explore their creativity. Messy art is an explosion of sensory experiences while creating a process art masterpiece. What does that mean? This enrichment class is all about the artistic movement of arts and crafts where the end result is not the focus. Messy art defends the idea that the process of creating art is more important than the art itself.
Music
Music classes are led by Lori Hubbard. Lori has bee sharing the joy of music for over twenty five years with both children and adults. She feels lucky to be able to come to ITAV weekly to have fun with the children! She loves watching them grow and experience music as they move through the seasons with songs, dance and instruments. Music can be so many things- therapeutic, educational, relaxing and fun.
Dance
Dance classes at ITAV are taught by A & G Dance Company. Co-owner Gail is a performer, choreographer and teacher. Gail teaches lessons to all ages and her preschool classes are all developmentally appropriate based on early childhood standards. Gail also runs an adaptive dance program for kids and adults with disabilities.
Gardening
At ITAV is a year-round activity. So much our curriculum is weaved into their gardening experience. As a child lead program, gardening evokes interests and questions from the children, making learning inevitable and easily facilitated. Gardening lends to a myriad of science concepts, math, gross motor activities, team building, problem solving and language development. One of the most rewarding benefits is to watch the children harvest foods and try them for a true farm to table experience.
Cooking
Allows the children to participate in the process of bringing food to the table. ITAV believes strongly in building independence and self-care. It is important for children to be involved in the process of cooking if they are expected to value and appreciate meals. Cooking encourages math, sequencing, cause and effect, and exploring new palates. When possible, our ingredients are pulled directly from the garden!