Did you know that a staggering 90 percent of brain development occurs before the age of five, according to First Things First? With so much growth occurring in the early years, it is more important than ever to prioritize early childhood education in your child development plan.
That’s where Happy Bunnies Child Care School comes in. Our Oak Hill Day Care program combines innovative day care curriculum with unique preschool learning activities to set your child up for success.
Are you interested in learning more about Oak Hill Day Care? Read on to discover how our day care center in Austin, TX can benefit your child.
The Unique Child Model
Every child is unique, and Oak Hill strives to nurture and encourage each child’s personality traits. Our goal is for each child to interact with others and learn through the following methods:
- Playing and Exploring
- Active Learning
- Creating and Thinking Critically
Playing and Exploring
Outdoor imaginary play is a staple of our day care curriculum. We believe it is important for youngsters to engage in imaginative play while also navigating the elements and learning independence.
Outdoor play also has numerous benefits, including:
- Cognitive
- Physical
- Social
- Emotional
Exploring is another key piece of early child development. Allowing children to explore safely can give them sensory experiences and allow them to ask questions.
Whether it’s handling toys in the classroom or observing nature outside, your child will be able to reap the rewards of supervised exploratory play at Oak Hill.
Active Learning
Children, especially babies and toddlers, may have a difficult time if they’re not actively learning. Active learning involves keeping children immersed in the learning process.
Unlike passive learning, where students sit, listen, or take notes, active learning encourages student engagement and collaborative thinking.
For younger children, active learning can include:
- Artwork: Drawing, painting, or coloring fosters creativity and fine motor skills.
- Movement: Dancing, singing, or other forms of physical activity encourage coordination and fitness.
- Kinetic experiences: Playing with water or sand helps convey concepts such as mass and volume.
- Reading: Flipping through a book or listening to a story promotes early literacy.
Our day care curriculum centers on age-appropriate preschool learning activities to keep your child on par or ahead of developmental milestones.
Creating and Thinking Critically
It’s never too early for children to begin exploring their creativity. Creativity helps little ones develop emotionally and cognitively. It can also improve their social skills.
At Oak Hill, we encourage our students to express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Creative activities such as artwork can sometimes convey thoughts that words can’t.
Thinking critically and creativity go hand in hand. Critical thinking often involves finding innovative solutions to complex problems.
A child may be able to express their thinking in a non-conventional manner using creativity, rather than a traditional method.
Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
Development in the early years is crucial for children to learn independence. It creates a strong foundation that your child can use to build other important skills, such as:
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
Managing big emotions can be difficult for young people. That’s why emotional development is so important to learn at an early age.
Playing with other children enhances social development as well. Young children will acquire vital skills such as communication and sharing, which will prepare them before they enter kindergarten. We also provide additional support for children who may need help with making friends.
Communication and Language
We don’t just talk to our students occasionally; active communication is a cornerstone of Oak Hill Day Care curriculum.
Children at Oak Hill are encouraged to communicate with others, especially when asking for help. We offer extra help for children learning English as a second language.
For babies, playful interaction is vital for development. We take extra care to play with our youngest students to encourage mimicking and mirrored movements.
Physical Development
Physical development in early childhood is just as important as mental acuity. At Oak Hill Day Care, our outdoor garden encourages fun and safe physical play.
Some of the best types of physical play include:
- Climbing
- Obstacle courses
- Running
- Jumping
- Dancing
- Scavenger hunts
Engaging in fun physical activity at day care can encourage kids to prioritize it at home as well. A strong positive influence at school means more healthy movement overall.
Math
You don’t have to wait until kindergarten for your child to start learning math. Instilling math skills at an early age builds a solid foundation for learning later on.
Although memorization is important for counting and learning numbers, it isn’t the whole equation. At Oak Hill, we incorporate practical applications so children have a better grasp of math skills.
For instance, talking to children about the physical attributes of items while counting them can help the brain establish quantity rather than rote memorization of numbers.
Understanding the World
As children begin to process the world around them, they may wonder how to interpret the actions of others. We emphasize paying attention to others and extending compassion and comfort.
At ages 22 to 36 months, toddlers will learn essential skills such as waiting their turn to use toys or playground equipment. These skills translate into real-world social situations that they may tackle later in life.
Expressive Arts and Design
Emotional expression through art is critical for early childhood development. In particular, expressive arts use different mediums to promote outward expression of emotions.
For example, dancing is a great way for children to release healthy energy and get in touch with their emotions.
Consider Our Oak Hill Day Care Program
At Happy Bunnies Child Care School, our commitment to early childhood education and child development is paramount. With our Oak Hill Day Care program, you can give your child only what they deserve – the best child care in Austin.
Are you ready to bring your child’s education and development to the next level? Reach out to us today to learn more, or book a tour to see Happy Bunnies Child Care School in person. We can’t wait to hear from you!
