Curriculum at the Rancho Santiago Community College Child Development Centers is based on the foundation that children learn by doing. We believe that your child will discover and learn by making the decisions needed to work through an activity, rather than being told exactly how to accomplish a task.  Play with a purpose is the primary vehicle for curriculum. It is the child’s most valuable learning tool.

We strongly believe that curriculum is all that happens to your child while he/she is at the center and that it is generated from all people—staff, parents and other children. Our curriculum is built around the strengths and interests of the children. Every day there are opportunities for all children to explore materials and create meaningful experiences.

The teachers use the DRDP-r to assess each child's developmental level and help design learning experiences that will encourage each child to develop and strengthen his/her knowledge and skills. Our emergent curriculum provides opportunities in many areas including:

·   Language and Literacy – children are encouraged to build their verbal expression with many opportunities to engage in conversations with adults and peers. Literacy skills are promoted through the print rich environment and activities that promote an interest and awareness of letters and letter sounds as well as opportunities for writing.

·   Mathematical Thinking – children are encouraged to develop a sense of number by actively participating in real life mathematical experiences and with diverse materials that build math skills like counting, sorting, matching, and shape recognition.

·   Scientific Thinking – children focus on the world they know and understand. Knowledge grows from the child’s innate need to discover and explore the world around them.

·   Social Studies – children explore the roles and relationships in their world. Examples are dramatic play; block building; recognizing similarities and differences in people, families, and professions; and understanding the reasons for social expectations.

·   Personal and Social Development – children are encouraged to develop a self-concept and self-control through interacting with others, problem solving, and conflict resolution.

·   Physical Development – children are provided with opportunities to engage in activities that will build their large and small motor development, as well as an understanding of personal health and safety.

·   The Arts – children are encouraged to express their creativity through art, self-expression, music, and dramatic play.