Curriculum

 The educators and leaders of Discovery Harbor Learning Center implement this state-approved curriculum into every component of your child’s care. As the most highly regarded pre-K curriculum in the nation, research shows this academically driven program is proven to increase kindergarten readiness and elevate your child’s ability to lead in the classroom. The Creative Curriculum follows a whole-child approach, one where the education of your child is not limited to literary skills, but also encourages emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Through our inclusive program, your child will:

• Excel in independent and group activities 
• Learn to explore and innovate at young age
• Better prepare for life outside of the classroom

Along the way, our team of dedicated teachers will guide your child through every step of the process. We believe in an activity-based learning environment, where students can take part in developmentally appropriate practices. We encourage independent exploratory play and constructive play for a more student-centered approach. What more, DHLC incorporates monthly themes and learning objectives into the foundation of your child’s developmental process throughout the year.

North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development

The 2013 North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development is now available. This version updates and combines the previous Foundations documents (i.e., the 2005 Foundations: Early Learning Standards for North Carolina Preschoolers and Strategies Guiding Their Success, and the 2007 Infant Toddler Foundations: Guidelines for Development and Learning for North Carolina's Infants and Toddlers).The revised Foundations spans birth to age 5 and includes goals, developmental indicators, and strategies in five developmental domains:

• Approaches to Play and Learning
• Emotional and Social Development
• Health and Physical Development
• Language Development and Communication
• Cognitive Development

The “Discovery” learning environment consists of (North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development) as the basis for teacher‑guided and child‑initiated learning. In using a purposeful approach each classroom is created for the children to learn social competence and the skills they need to succeed as learners. 

Each class setting is divided into eight (8) or more interest areas for children who want to explore, make things, and experiment in small groups. These areas include: blocks, housekeeping, science, math, arts & crafts, cognitive games, story time & reading, sand & water, music & movement, writing center, and a cozy area to sit quietly to rock a baby or read a book. 

The children will have productive play experiences that will help them grow in: social and emotional skills, as well as physical, cognitive and language development. We focus on the “whole” child.

There will be time each day for the children to meet for group time. During this time the group will talk about the day and plan for the day, listen to stories, and sing songs together.

Children will also learn and develop their skills through outdoor play.

Outdoor play is an extension of what is taking place inside the classroom and themes are carried outdoors.