Quality Early Learning to Ensure
The Minnesota Business for Early Learning launched a new site, "Is Your Child Ready?"
as a tool to help parents ensure that their child is ready for kindergarten on day one.
The site features an age appropriate quiz, as well as resources to help with language, cognitive,
motor, social and emotional development.
Click to see Is Your Child Ready?
Preschool Program (3-5 Years of Age)
Mini University's preschool teachers use the Creative Curriculum for Preschool,
a written research-based curriculum created by Teaching Strategies.
This curriculum has been aligned to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE)
Ohio's Early Learning and Development Standards.
Ohio Department of Education Core Themes
Families who select a Mini University preschool are kept well informed of the latest educational initiatives.
Ohio Department of Education Academic Content Standards serve as a basis for what students should know and be
able to do at each grade level,
beginning with preschool.
- All children are born ready to learn
- Environments matter
- Relationships are influential
- Communication is critical
Creative Curriculum for Preschool
Mini University uses The Creative Curriculum for Preschool,
aligned to the Ohio Department of Education Early Learning Content Standards,
as the educational framework for Preschool.
Information provided by Teaching Strategies,
creators of The Creative Curriculum for Preschool describes this framework as follows:
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool
is one of the country's leading research-based preschool curricula,
which applies the latest theory and research on best practices in teaching and learning.
It is based on five fundamental principles:
While keeping the original environmentally-based approach of earlier editions,
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool clearly defines the teacher's vital role in connecting content,
teaching, and learning for preschool children. The Creative Curriculum for Preschool balances both teacher-directed
and child-initiated learning, with an emphasis on responding to children's learning styles and building on their
strengths and interests. It provides clear guidance on the teacher's role in addressing content in literacy,
math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology, yet never loses sight of the primary importance of
social/emotional development in children's learning.
- Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning.
- Social-emotional competence is a significant factor in school success.
- Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
- The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
- Teacher-family partnerships promote development and learning.
For more information, visit Teaching Strategies' website.