Programs & Curriculum
Early exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is crucial to a child's academic growth. It not only helps develop critical thinking and analytical skills, but also nurtures an interest in STEM fields. At Stepping Stones Academy-Reading, our curriculum prioritizes the development of essential skills such as critical thinking, social aptitude, cognitive, and motor skills. Our ultimate objective is to equip our students with the necessary skills to excel academically and to cultivate the qualities of future leaders.
Toddlers - Age 3
The academy has three primary focus areas: social-emotional, physical, and language development.
Social-emotional development is a crucial aspect of the first three years of a child's life. The academy's staff provides loving care to help children develop trust in their caregivers and ensure their basic needs are met.
Through appropriate activities, children learn about themselves and their surroundings, using their body movements and senses.
In terms of physical development, the academy provides a suitable environment and tools that help children master developmental milestones at their individual pace.
To aid communication, basic sign language words such as "mommy," "daddy," "more" and "eat" will be introduced to children who may struggle to articulate their needs. This approach will give each child the ability to communicate with the staff effectively.
Pre-K - Age 4 to 5
The Experience Curriculum at the Academy is thoughtfully designed to foster children's learning and development in a natural environment. To aid teachers in assessing the children's skills, observation prompts are included with each activity.
To ensure an authentic assessment, the Academy provides a range of tools to teachers. These tools include a Monthly Assessment Planning Toolkit, a Daily Star Assessment Activity, a developmental skills continuum, and a weekly activity skills chart, among others.
To evaluate the children's progress, the Academy employs various methods, such as portfolios, anecdotal records, and observations recorded on Brightwheel, a parent communication app. The assessment in the Experience Curriculum highlights areas where children will be assessed, and a portfolio is created for each child to monitor their progress and identify areas for improvement.
The curriculum artfully integrates 35 research-based skills into imaginative games and exploratory projects, utilizing a cross-disciplinary approach to support a child's social-emotional, physical, linguistic, and cognitive development over time.