Handwriting Without Tears Preschool and Kindergarden materials- for handwriting, literacy, and math

Raddish Kids Cooking Program- for community skills, social studies, and science

Montessori Art Appreciation Materials- for art studies and inspirations for creativity

Nature Explore- for science and environmental studies

Itsy Bitsy Yoga- for infant, toddler, and preschool fitness and  personal development

Gymnastics Express- for physical development, coordination, sports skills, and fun



The following is from the Handwriting Without Tears:

http://www.hwtears.com/gss/why-it-works/research

A Strong Pre-K Program Supports Lifelong Learning Success

• Get Set for School draws from the best research and years of experience to provide a complete curriculum that includes: readiness & writing, language & literacy, numbers & math.
• Get Set for School helps children develop core readiness skills during the crucial years when “85 percent of the foundation for a child’s intellect, personality, and skills is formed.”
• Pre-K students learn some of their most important skills through play. Get Set for School uses hands-on, play based instruction to give young learners innumerable opportunities for spontaneous and meaningful learning. Playful learning also helps engage young children and helps build a lifelong love of learning.
• Physical development and social/behavioral skills are particularly important in Pre-K. Get Set for School helps Pre-K students develop both fine and gross motor skills before they can master such skills as writing.  
• Literacy includes phonological awareness, letter knowledge, concepts about print, vocabulary, and language. These abilities are interrelated so that development in one area supports and is necessary for development in another. Get Set for School provides an integrated approach to language and literacy to make learning meaningful and engaging.
• Math, like literacy, begins at birth. Children are learning math concepts based on their interactions with their environment. Get Set for School gets children sorting, clapping, counting, measuring, and building numbers to help them understand—and enjoy—math concepts.

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The following is from Raddish Kids Cooking Program:

http://www.raddishkids.com/

What will your RAD-KID gain from cooking ...?

  A rich sensory activity that excites all five senses and builds a foundation for a lifelong love of cooking.

  The fun exploration of geography and culture while expanding your Rad-Kid's palate. 

  The chance to learn and apply academic skills including math, science, and reading comprehension.

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For information about Gymnastics Express see the tab about it on this site!



We take an eclectic approach to learning with the belief that no one program accomplishes everything we would like the children to experience at Luke's Treehouse Early Learning Center.  Therefore I am building our curriculum from the best resources after considering what it is that a full and great day for children would be like. 

I thought about what opportunities and exposures children could and should have in a rich learning environment.  I considered things I learned from my education background, my experiences raising my own children, my observations of children enrolled here the past five years, and remembering childhood what it is and should be. 

*** Although a private school, believing there are many variations and personal family beliefs about spirituality and religion, we believe the families will respond accordingly to raise up their child in the path they should go according to their own faith.  Please take this responsibility seriously and do not neglect this aspect of your child”s education.  At Luke's Treehouse we will celebrate generally some formerly traditional holidays and we welcome information and inclusion of holidays of your family.  We do not study religious training, but include social character concepts for personal development. 

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The following is from Montessori Services: 

http://www.montessoriservices.com/child-size-masterpieces-starter-set

Now standard in Montessori classrooms nationwide, Aline Wolf's program for Primary through Elementary-age children makes teaching art appreciation easy. Beginning with matching activities, the exercises gradually increase in difficulty. Ages 3 - 9.

Each of the art collection books contains postcard-size images of paintings from all periods of art history. Chosen to appeal to young children, each reproduction is color-coded and imprinted on back with title/artist. Use any of these collection books for for step 1 (matching identical paintings), step 2 (pairing companion paintings), and step 3 (grouping four paintings by one artist). Differences and similarities are easiest to see in Level 1, and become increasingly challenging in successive levels. 

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The following is from the Nature Explore site:

http://www.natureexplore.org/classrooms/

What are Certified Nature Explore Classrooms?

Certified Nature Explore Classrooms are dynamic, nature-based play and learning spaces. Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Design Services apply research-based, field-tested design principles to create these nature-rich outdoor spaces that can be located anywhere a school, child care center, park, or other community site might have a traditional playground. Certified Nature Explore Classrooms enhance the physical environment and add natural beauty to the surrounding area. A network of Certified Nature Explore Classrooms is growing throughout the United States in elementary schools; early childhood programs; nature centers; military bases; national forests, parks and wildlife refuges; zoos; Head Start centers; arboretums; children's museums and other public spaces.

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The following is from Itsy Bitsy Yoga description:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600940080?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

If you’ve been looking for a fun and loving way to help your children learn and improve their development, look no further than Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers. New studies show that young kids learn best through play and need at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day. There’s no better way to engage your child than through the simple practice of yoga. Yoga can help your 18-month to five-year-old child have: Fewer tantrums Better and longer sleep Increased motor coordination Improved listening and ability to follow directions Better self-expression Higher self-esteem Easier relaxation A healthy and physically fit lifestyle Named the “Baby Yoga Expert” by Newsweek, Helen Garabedian, a certified yoga instructor, created her program with 8-minute sequences easy to fit into a young child’s day. Fully illustrated with beautiful photos, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers features more than 50 simple poses and games kids love, offering creative ways to get active. Yoga can even help your child throughout the day-from taming tantrums to teaching cooperation-On the Go advice and Super Duper Poses show you how.