Our Curriculum

We aim to provide a high quality and nurturing experience for all children and their families. Our program reflects a developmental approach to early education. Dr. Iris Chin Ponte, the Director and Classroom Teacher holds a Ph.D. in Early Education and has created spaces in which each child can be physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually challenged and engaged in meaningful activity. Through spontaneous, structured, and integrated play opportunities, children participate in activities to promote problem-solving skills, creativity, and learning. These purposeful experiences encourage children to interact with materials and their peers. These hands-on, constructive explorations nurture and promote children’s self-esteem, confidence, and sense of wonder.

We are committed to valuing individual differences and we actively include children and families from a variety of ethnic, family, religious, and cultural backgrounds. We believe that it is only by providing and supporting diversity within our program that we can enable children to value the richness and importance of a multicultural experience and world.

At the Henry Frost Children’s Program, we do not subscribe to one philosophy of early education. Dr. Iris Chin Ponte has been trained in the teachings of Reggio Emilia, Maria Montessori, John Dewey, Asian early education philosophy, and the Eliot-Pearson developmental approach. Rather than choosing to subscribe to one technique, Dr. Ponte has decided to choose the best from all of these early education pioneers to create the Henry Frost Children’s Program. This unique and holistic approach to early education is called the Complementary Curriculum Approach. Dr. Ponte is a member of The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the American Education Research Association (AERA), and the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). Therefore, the program will reflect the most current research and best practices in early education to constantly improve and update the Program’s practices.

Focus Topics

Our meetings rotate through the following topics.

Culture and Geography:

Our students experience the defining elements of cultures: traditions, symbols, food, clothing, customs and beliefs. Children assemble puzzle maps of oceans and continents, and they learn to identify land and water forms. As their curiosity about similarities and differences develops, along with their abilities to discriminate, they compare and contrast their own family traditions and those of others in the classroom. 

Practical Life:

The purpose and aim of Practical Life is to help the child gain control in the coordination of their movement, and help the child to gain independence and adapt to society. Practical Life Exercises also aid the growth and development of the child’s intellect and concentration and will in turn also help the child develop an orderly way of thinking. Activities include pouring, folding, food preparation, serving, cutting, sewing, beading, etc...

Sensorial Work:

The purpose and aim of Sensorial work is for the child to acquire clear, conscious, information and to be able to then make classifications in their environment. Through classification, the child is also offered the first steps in organizing their intelligence.

Language:

Three to six-year-olds are in a “sensitive period” for language acquisition. They begin to associate sounds, symbols, and meaning, the foundation of both reading and writing. Our classrooms surround children with language experiences. We provide a balanced literacy program in which informal conversations enrich more formal discussions and interactive "read-aloud" sessions.

Science and Technology:

Children will have the opportunity to explore the world of science and technology. These foundations will be built from exploring the natural world and hands-on opportunities to construct and problem solve.

Music and Music Theory:

Our music classes will cultivate musical ability, creativity, and a love of music. Children will begin to learn to hear, play, read, understand and appreciate every aspect of music. Research has demonstrated time and time again that intellectual, emotional, and physical development is positively and deeply impacted by music study. Twice a month we will be joined by music teacher, Alastair Moock. 

Exploration of the Arts: 

Children’s creativity will blossom with the opportunity to explore the arts. From painting murals, creating sculptures, exploring dance and theater, many opportunities will be provided. Children will also be introduced to both historic and contemporary artists of the world. Throughout the year local artists will also visit to share their work and techniques.