Curriculum

At Columbia Heights Preschool, we use Creative Curriculum which features exploration and discovery as a way of learning.  When children utilize this play-based approach to learning, they build many areas of their development including, but not limited to:

  • Cognitive
  • Social- Emotional
  • Language/ Literacy
  • Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Children are naturally motivated to play. Our play-based program builds on this motivation, using it as a context for learning. While using this curriculum in our classrooms, children will explore, experiment, discover, and problem solve.

  • Types of Play in a Preschool Environment
    • Child Initiated Play is when children create their own play concepts, make decisions about what to play and the rules that go along with their ideas.
    • Teacher Guided Play gives students support and a different way of thinking about their play ideas without directing them with exactly what to do.
    • Scaffolding:  Teachers will support children’s development and learning by offering just the right help at just the right time in just the right way. By asking questions- “What could you change on the bottom of your block tower to make it sturdier?” Also, by making suggestions if they are struggling with an idea- “You could help the block tower not fall over by adding bigger blocks to the bottom.”

 Assessments

Twice a year, our teachers complete Ohio's Early Learning Assessment (ELA) which is a tool used to learn about the skills of preschool age children.  In the Spring and Fall, we assess your child’s skills, knowledge, and behaviors in the areas of Social Foundations, Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Well-Being, and Motor Development.  Parents will be given a summary of the assessment results and optional conferences can be scheduled to discuss the results in greater detail.

Screenings

As a requirement of our participation in the Ohio Step Up to Quality program, each family must complete an Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) for their child. The ASQ provides a helpful look at how your child is progressing in important areas like communication, social skills, motor skills, and problem-solving skills.  Our teachers review and score the information you provided to identify your child’s strengths, uncover new milestones, and potentially reveal any areas where your child may need support.  Each questionnaire consists of two screenings:

  • ASQ-3 is a set of simple questions to check child development.
  • ASQ:SE-2 is a set of questions with a focus on social-emotional development.