our programming at Apple Ridge Academy
Our program is based on the philosophy that young children learn best by doing and emphasizes the importance of learning through play and time spent outdoors as well. Learning requires active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work and to learn firsthand about the world we live in and we strive to teach foundational social-emotional and problem solving skills to prepare children for a lifelong learning journey. In their early years, children learn by exploring the world around them... and at Apple Ridge Academy, teachers offer a variety of new experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. We celebrate all children as they learn at their own pace and in the ways that are best for them. We encourage them to demonstrate good habits and attitudes, particularly a positive sense of themselves, which will make a difference throughout their lives... and the learning begins right away with our infant and toddler care and then extends to new heights in our pre school and 4k classes! Learn more about the different components of our programming below!
Learning Naturally
Nature offers so much to love and is a powerful "teacher" when children are given the time, freedom and environment to explore fearlessly. At Apple Ridge Academy, we place a significant emphasis on time spent outdoors. We believe that playful learning in and about nature advances children’s physical, sensory, cognitive, social and emotional development. Children spend their time outdoors comparing and contrasting, wondering and problem solving, experimenting and discovering, and so much more, as they uncover the true beauty and miracles that the natural world offers. Extra time is spent in our outdoor learning environments, where learning comes naturally, whenever possible and especially in our warmer months… because not all classrooms have four walls! Teachers will support children as they encounter and overcome challenges and children will learn to be confident thinkers, efficient problem solvers, and compassionate friends to their classmates as well as to the life found outdoors. Children will be learning through hands-on experiences and adventures, so please be sure to pack plenty of extra clothes and weather appropriate gear!
“A child, more than anyone else, is a spontaneous observer of Nature” – Maria Montessori
“And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling!” -Shanti
“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million!” -Walt Streightiff
Healthy Environments & Gardens
At Apple Ridge Academy, we know growth takes many forms, and experiences enhance growth in a multitude of ways. Our belief is that children’s experiences in childhood contribute to their habits later in life. And that healthy experiences lead to healthy children and adults! This is the reason we place a heavy emphasis on healthy environments and inputs at Apple Ridge. Our meals and snacks are carefully prepared with the most minimally processed, fresh (and local when available) ingredients, with few additives, artificial ingredients, and dyes. We use cleaning products that do not contain bleach or other harmful chemicals or perfumes. And we love to bring the fresh outdoor air inside to help relieve stagnant air.
Everything children come in contact with affects them, so our goal is always to provide the healthiest environments – inside and outside our school. We strive, always to find better, cleaner, safer, and more sustainable products, with a goal to continually work to improve on what we already do!
Each year, all of our classrooms from Infants through School Age participate in gardening! Our Apple Ridge gardens provide children with an ever-changing environment throughout the seasons to explore and learn about food, community, and nature around us! Beginning in spring, with careful planning and anticipation, our children, along with their teachers, decide what they’ll plant in their garden beds, and begin the process of preparing their growing spaces. Then, planting, watering, weeding, tasting, and exploring happen all season long! The learning opportunities are endless! In every season, there’s much to explore and learn. We are fortunate to be able to supplement our meals and snacks with fresh produce from our gardens when we have a bountiful harvest!
We are continuously seeking ways to make our environments cleaner, healthier and safer as we learn and grow as a program. Our food program, cleaning products, and gardening initiative are just a few ways we've already implemented and we continue to enhance these and add more each and every year!
The Creative Curriculum®....
The Creative Curriculum is an all-inclusive curriculum that lets the teachers focus on developing skills while building relationships with each child and taking great care of each child’s individual needs. The Creative Curriculum helps teachers plan goals in Social-Emotional Development, Physical Development, Cognitive Development, and Language Development.
The Creative Curriculum is built on a foundation that outlines theory and research to explain the importance of meeting basic needs of every child, developing secure attachments with caregivers, and supporting growth and learning in an intentional way, to support cognition and brain development in your little one!
Creative Curriculum Developmental Milestones Objectives:
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Regulating own emotions and behavior
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Establishing and sustaining positive relationships
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Demonstrating Traveling and Balancing Skills
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Demonstrating gross and fine motor strength and coordination
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Listening and understanding Language
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Using Language to express thoughts and needs
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Demonstrating a positive approach to learning
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Remembers and connects experiences
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Demonstrates knowledge of print and its uses
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Demonstrating emergent writing skills
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Using number concepts and operations
It is our goal to partner with parents to create great experiences for your child to learn from in their time here at ARA! “A curriculum is like a road map; it helps you get where you want to go.” This road map offers guidance about providing appropriate materials and interactions for engaging children in these eight experiences:
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Playing with toys
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Imitating and pretending
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Enjoying stories and books
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Connecting with music and movement
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Creating with art
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Tasting and preparing food
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Exploring sand and water
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Going outdoors
Each teacher works to create positive, intentional learning experiences for the children in our program! We are so passionate about instilling a belief, that we are all lifelong learners, and learning is a fun and enjoyable experience. We want to continue growing and experiencing life on this “Journey to Excellence!”
