Ascension Christian Early Learning Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
One of the only ELCs in the state of Louisiana to be accredited, the Ascension Christian Early Learning Center provides a comprehensive, based early childhood development that has been shown to improve cognitive and social/emotional outcomes in children. If the interactions children have are nurturing, consistent, and loving, and the experiences they have are appropriately challenging, then infants, toddlers, and preschoolers grow and flourish. The curriculum defines what content to teach, why the designated content and skills are appropriate for each age, and how to teach effectively. The curriculum is based on the latest research on how children learn best and has been shown through experimental studies to improve classroom quality and promote educational readiness. The curriculum meets all standards put forth for effective early childhood curricular by the National Association or Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education (NAECS/SDE). We believe that assessing individual and group progress is the key to planning programs that respond to the needs, interests, and abilities of children in any classroom. With ongoing assessment, teachers can focus on all aspects of a child’s development. The curriculum has a thorough assessment process including evaluating children’s learning and development, using the goals and objectives to know what to teach, and using the evaluation information to guide children to the next level of development.
So, how is my child learning throughout the day?
The Ascension Christian Early Learning Center provides learning opportunities in just about everything your child does throughout the day. Young children learn life’s most valuable lessons through play. Your child’s classroom is composed of several centers which his/her teacher changes regularly. Each day your child will participate in circle time where the class and instructor come together for such things as story time, color/number/shape/letter review, music and movement, calendar and weather discussion and more. During circle time children learn to express their ideas and discover their world independently. In addition to circle time, learning centers throughout the classroom provide countless educational opportunities. No matter which area captures your child’s interest on a particular day, important skills are being developed.
Dramatic Play
Activities encouraging pretend and imaginations as well as allowing children to express emotion, such as dress up, kitchen, work bench, puppet shows, babies and more.
Creative Art
Children experience art through the freedom of touching, feeling, pulling, twisting, tearing, pasting, bending, scraping, cutting, pounding, shaping, and so much more. They are developing a feel for forms, balance, line, color, and shape as well as gaining practice in problem solving. They are learning about various relationships, sharpening their powers of observation, and beginning the process of logical thinking, and developing motor skills. Art is a hands-on activity for your child. No photo copy sheets will be used during this time.
Science & Sensory
Children have the opportunity to have hands-on, real-life activities that encourage a sense of discovery. The activities include nature type items, using magnets, magnifiers, sand and individual water tubs.
Blocks
Block centers include a variety of block styles including duplos, stacking blocks, large building blocks, building block tables and more. Blocks encourage hand-eye coordination and also problem solving skills through trial and error. Toy animals, cars and people will also be included in this area.
Literacy/Language
In addition to our literacy based curriculum, each classroom will also have easily accessible, developmentally appropriate reading and picture books along with a cozy reading area to help young children build literacy skills. Also included in this area is storytelling, puppets, flannel board and listening to stories on cds.
Math
Children learn sorting and counting skills, putting materials in order and patterning. Math is a way of finding things out, a way of problem solving. Through manipulating small materials, children will also begin to understand basic concepts such as big/little, large/small, same and different.
Fine Motor
Early learners utilize fine motor skills throughout the day in activities such as puzzles, sewing/lacing, small blocks, drawing pegs, writing, sorting and matching. Pre-writing activities will also be included in this area. Tracing letters, words and writing in materials such as sand.
Music
During music time the children will be able to be creative. They will learn songs, dance to music using scarves or ribbons. The children will use their listening skills during this time to follow directions on CDs.
Gross Motor
Gross motor skills are developed through physical education each day including skipping, hopping, jumping, balancing, throwing, catching, parachute play and more!
Cooking
Each week the groups will be doing a cooking activity. The groups will learn about measuring, nutrition, manners and safety.