Programs

At CreArt we believe children learn best through hands on experience. Through play, children learn and develop physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. We make every effort to build strong relationships with children and provide a learning environment in which they feel positive, unpressured and emotionally secure. Our emerging curriculum and activities are based on the interest and needs, as well as the skill level of the children we serve. To guide and support our practices, we use the California Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations, and the California Preschool Learning Foundations. These are research-based publications developed by the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education that describe the learning and development of children from birth through kindergarten and are used to promote early learning and development. Our ultimate goal is to help each child develop an engaged, life-long attitude toward learning, good values, and a positive self-concept that will allow them to approach learning throughout their lives with delight and enthusiasm.

Infant

Infancy is a period of fast development. Infants use their senses to learn and their bodies to communicate and get their needs met. In this period, responsive relationships with caring adults are crucial. Through relationships, infants learn to engage with and learn about their surroundings. In our infant program, our first job is to build strong and responsive relationships with our babies, young toddlers and their families. Equally important is to provide them with opportunities explore and interact with the environment. With solid relationships, safe sensory play activities, simple and safe play materials in our stimulating, indoor and outdoor environment, young children learn, grow and develop by discovering and exploring the world around them. This sets the foundation for emerging emotional security and positive attachment relationships that are essential for learning throughout the early years.

Toddler

Just as infants are, toddlers, too, are eager to learn and experience everything around them. It is in toddlerhood that children begin to learn how to relate to others by developing their first friendships through more solid interactions with peers. For that to happen successfully, learning how to effectively communicate and self-regulate is essential. Through play and with hands-on activities in a playful approach, toddlers improve their ability, turning ideas and thoughts into words to better express themselves, gaining confidence and self-competence. At CreArt, toddlers explore with art and craft materials, building blocks, games, music, dance, pretend play, and movement through creative and fun activities. Such experiences enhance their cognitive, language, motor and social skills. 

Preschool

In order to successfully engage with others, preschoolers need to learn how to negotiate with the world around them. They need to learn to work together with adults and peers, make decisions, see the results of their actions and build upon what they already know. Through countless opportunities for free play, as well as group activities such as projects, games, and dramatic play, children learn more about themselves and others. At CreArt, we recognize the importance of socio-emotional development, encouraged through group play, and believe that when children have strongly developed this domain they will be better prepared to learn more structured activities and complex skills necessary in kindergarten and subsequent grades.

Outdoors

CreArt was created with the fundamental belief that teaching and learning best occurs through hands-on experience. By doing so, children move from concrete experiences to more abstract learning concepts. Not only that, they learn to take joy in the process.  In order to fulfill our mission and provide the best learning opportunities for the children, together with our families and with help from our local supporting agencies, we have created a beautiful outdoor space for children to play, explore, and learn.

Our outdoor space was specially designed to give children the opportunity to develop a personal connection with the natural world and an appreciation and respect for nature.  By playing and exploring outdoors, children develop a number of essential skills that will help them succeed as they advance in school and life. Some examples are:

  • Improve fine and gross motor skills
  • Develop science and math abilities
  • Embrace curiosity
  • Nourish imagination and creativity
  • Cultivate a sense of wonder
  • Acquire observation skills
  • Improve concentration
  • Learn to collaborate and problem-solve
  • Grow self-confidence and self-esteem

Our outdoor classroom allows children to fully engage all their senses with hands-on exploration, resulting in deeper learning experiences.