Creative Curriculum
We believe our curriculum promotes active life-long learning and allows children to become independent thinkers and problem solvers. We also believe with teaching staff and families working together, our children can achieve anything!
Click Here to view monthly themes
In order to meet our goals for each child, we provide an environment that allows children to make choices, be treated as individuals and learn at their own pace. Our classrooms are designed using the activity center method. We organize the activity centers so that the children can choose their activities, facilitate their own play, and then easily re-organize independently. This allows children to move freely from the various activity centers and, again, make choices.
Our teaching staff plans activities, both free-choice and teacher-directed, to enhance the activity centers as well as the children’s interests. The Growing Years utilizes an excellent, state approved curriculum program to further ensure that our lesson plans are developmentally appropriate and that our teachers can accurately assess your child’s individual progress. Known as Creative Curriculum, this well-respected program provides teachers with age-specific guidelines, ideas, and learning objectives. It also allows time to identify both areas of strength and any potential weaknesses so that action plans can be put into place well before your child’s first day of kindergarten. You can check out the program for yourself at their convenient website, www.creative curriculum.net.
The Growing Years also uses developmentally appropriate assessments for each child. These tools track each child’s individual growth and allow teaching staff to appropriately plan activities for each child. We share assessments with families at our semi-annual conferences, at which time, teaching staff and families decide together a plan for continued growth and learning for their child.
We use monthly themes at The Growing Years. However, these themes are just guides used for each age group. There are many other activities being promoted that are not included in our monthly themes but are active components of our curriculum.

In order to meet our goals for each child, we provide an environment that allows children to make choices, be treated as individuals and learn at their own pace. Our classrooms are designed using the activity center method. We organize the activity centers so that the children can choose their activities, facilitate their own play, and then easily re-organize independently. This allows children to move freely from the various activity centers and, again, make choices.


We use monthly themes at The Growing Years. However, these themes are just guides used for each age group. There are many other activities being promoted that are not included in our monthly themes but are active components of our curriculum.
Monthly Themes
Janurary |
|
Theme: |
Winter & Arctic Animals |
Goals: |
To introduce children to the concept of changing seasons through a variety of activities in each learning center, as well as, teacher directed activities. To introduce children to the season of winter through a variety of activities in each learning center, as well as teacher-directed activities. To introduce children to a variety of arctic animals through activities in each learning center as well as teacher-directed activities. To discuss the differences between animals that hibernate versus animals that do not. |
Hoildays: |
New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
Letters: |
M, N, O |
Number: |
6 |
Color: |
White |
Shape: |
Oval |
February |
|
Theme: |
I'm Special |
Goals: |
To introduce children to the concept of individuality in people and they are each special. To introduce the children to emotions…letting them know it is “okay” to feel all emotions. To introduce child to the concept of friendship. |
Hoildays: |
Valentine's Day Dental Health Month Groundhog's Day |
Letters: |
P,Q,R |
Number: |
7 |
Color: |
Purple |
Shape: |
Heart |
March |
|
Theme: |
Our World |
Goals: |
To introduce children to the concept of taking care of our world. To introduce children to the importance and effects of recycling. To introduce children to the importance of replenishing the earth’s resources (planting trees, etc.) To introduce gardening by starting seedlings for garden playground |
Hoildays: |
St. Patrick's Day 1st Day of Spring |
Letters: |
S,T,U |
Number: |
8 |
Color: |
Green |
Shape: |
Diamond |
April |
|
Theme: |
Transportation & Safety |
Goals: |
To introduce children to a variety of types of transportation. To introduce children to safety…ex. crossing the street, helmets biking or skating, construction warnings, etc. To introduce children to traffic and safety signs and their meanings. |
Hoildays: |
Passover Easter |
Letters: |
V,W |
Number: |
9 |
Color: |
Yellow |
Shape: |
Star |
May |
|
Theme: |
Zoo Animals |
Goals: |
To introduce children to a variety of different zoo animals. To introduce children to the concept of extinct and endangered wildlife. To discuss protecting and respecting wildlife and its importance. To discuss dinosaurs. |
Hoildays: |
Teacher Appreciation Week Mother's Day Memorial Day |
Letters: |
X,Y,X |
Number: |
10 |
Color: |
Blue |
Shape: |
Octagon |
June |
|
Theme: |
Sea Life & Water Safety |
Goals: |
To introduce children to the ocean and a variety of types of sea life. To introduce the importance of caring for our waters and streams. To discuss water safety to the children. |
Hoildays: |
Father's Day |
Letters: |
Review |
Number: |
Review |
Color: |
Review |
Shape: |
Review |
July |
|
Theme: |
Bugs & The Great Outdoors |
Goals: |
To introduce children to a variety of insects and bugs. To discuss a variety of activities that can be done outdoors. To include outdoor games and activities. |
Hoildays: |
Independence Day |
Letters: |
Review |
Number: |
Review |
Color: |
Review |
Shape: |
Review |
August |
|
Theme: |
Jobs People Do |
Goals: |
To introduce the children to a variety of jobs through each learning center and teacher-directed activities. Invite parents to share jobs with class. Represent jobs in a non-biased manner. |
Hoildays: |
Graduation for rising Kindergartners |
Letters: |
Review |
Number: |
Review |
Color: |
Review |
Shape: |
Review |
September |
|
Theme: |
Back to School & Making Friends |
Goals: |
To help children through the transitions of moving to new classrooms for the fall. To include a variety of socialization and transition activities. To help children feel secure in their new classroom environments. |
Hoildays: |
Labor Day |
Letters: |
A,B,C |
Number: |
1 & 2 |
Color: |
Orange |
Shape: |
Circle |
October |
|
Theme: |
Fall Fun & People Around the World |
Goals: |
To introduce children to the season of fall. To discuss the seasons and the changes associated. To introduce children to a variety of cultures and traditions in a positive, un-biased way. |
Hoildays: |
Halloween |
Letters: |
D,E,F |
Number: |
3 |
Color: |
Black |
Shape: |
November |
|
Theme: |
Down on the Farm |
Goals: |
To introduce the children to farm animals and farm life. To discuss where food actually comes from (not the grocery store). To discuss the season and that this is the time of year for harvesting. To include the history and celebrate Thanksgiving, avoiding stereotypes sometimes associated with Native American cultures. |
Hoildays: |
Thanksgiving |
Letters: |
G,H,I |
Number: |
4 |
Color: |
Brown |
Shape: |
Square |
December |
|
Theme: |
Happy Holidays |
Goals: |
To introduce children to a variety of holidays around the world in an un-biased manner. Be inclusive of holidays that are celebrated within each classroom and invite families to share with the class. Emphasize the importance of traditions… such as, a time for giving, sharing, and family. |
Hoildays: |
Hannukah Christmas Kwanza |
Letters: |
J,K,L |
Number: |
5 |
Color: |
Red |
Shape: |
Rectangle |