ECLC Curriculum/ Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS)ECLC Curriculum/ Missouri Early Learning Standards 

The goal of the curriculum is to aid in the social, emotional, cognitive, adaptive, creative and  physical development of each child. The ECLC provides a flexible program that gives all  children the capacity to engage cooperatively and productively within a learning  community environment. Our staff use developmentally appropriate guidelines to plan for each day. All ECLC programs are designed to meet the Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS) and prepare students for school readiness.

Staff in the preschool programs are trained in Project Construct, which is a comprehensive curriculum that guides teachers in successfully planning and implementing a content-rich, developmentally appropriate program that supports active learning and promotes children's progress in all developmental areas. Teachers facilitate and develop social/emotional skills with preschool students while also teaching foundational skills in the areas of:  literacy, math, science, social studies, physical development, creative arts and technology.

Preschool Objectives Based on the Missouri Early Learning Standards:  

Approaches to Learning

• Shows curiosity

• Takes initiative

• Exhibits creativity

• Shows confidence

• Displays persistence 

• Uses problem-solving skills

• Shows interest in visual art

• Shows interest in dramatic arts

Social Emotional Development 

• Exhibits self awareness 

• Develops self control 

• Develops personal responsibility 

• Builds relationships of mutual trust and respect for others 

• Works cooperatively with children and adults 

• Shows curiosity 

• Takes initiative 

• Exhibits creativity 

• Shows confidence 

• Displays persistence

• Uses problem solving skills 

Language and Literacy 

• Represents feelings and ideas in a variety of ways 

• Uses language to communicate ideas, feelings and questions or to solve  problems 

• Listens for different purposes 

• Uses writing as a means of communication 

• Applies early reading skills 

• Attends to sounds in language 

Science 

• Explores physical properties of objects and materials, characteristics of living  things and properties of earth and space 

• Investigates properties of objects and materials, characteristics of living things,  and properties of earth and space 

• Represents observations about the physical world, living things, earth and space

• Solves problems related to observations of the physical world, characteristics of  living things, earth and space 

Mathematics

• Uses numbers to show quantity 

• Uses language to represent number of objects

• Solves problems using numbers 

• Uses numerical representation 

• Investigates positions and locations 

• Explores shapes in the environment 

• Makes comparisons 

• Uses measurement 

• Collects, organizes and uses information 

Physical Development

• Uses gross motor skills with purpose and coordination 

• Uses fine motor skills with purpose and control 

• Responds to sensory input to function in the environment 

• Practices healthy behaviors 

• Practices safe behaviors 

Expressive Arts

• Shows interest in music and movement

• shows interest in visual art

• shows interest in dramatic arts

Family Relationships

• Ensuring positive interactions between staff and families

• Maintaining open and consistent communication

• Participating with all family members

• Becoming partners in the educational process

• Becoming involved in the ongoing life of the school

Effective Teaching Practices

• On-going professional development for teachers

• Collaborating with the early childhood community at large

• All classrooms document individual children’s learning through portfolio assessment

• Family surveys are used to reflect on practices and identify strengths and weaknesses