Curriculum

Our program combines the Pinnacle, Creative Curriculum, Portage Project, and Houghton Mifflin curriculums into our weekly themes and daily lesson plans. Our curriculum aligns with the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Our primary guiding principles for nurturing and early learning are as follows:

All children are capable and competent.
Early relationships matter.
A child’s early learning and development is multidimensional.
Expectations for children must be guided by knowledge of child growth and development.
Children are individuals who develop at various rates.
Children are members of cultural groups that share developmental patterns.
Children exhibit a range of skills and competencies within any domain of development.
Children learn through play and the active exploration of their environment.
Parents are children’s primary and most important caregivers and educators.

The Best Learning is Active Play Based Learning!

Active learning takes advantage of a child's natural desire to move and touch. Young children love to manipulate items and explore new ideas. They enjoy the opportunity to see how things work and to test their own theories.

Learning Ladder takes full advantage of children’s natural motivations, abilities, and interests. Children get lots of opportunities to investigate what interests them--to solve problems, discover relationships, and make comparisons.

Children use all their senses to make discoveries; How heavy is it? Does it smell? Can I find another one that feels the same? What does it sound like when I drop it? How is it different from the other items? Using their hands, eyes, nose, ears, and mouth to explore an item, children gather information and remember what they learn.

As they interact directly with their environment, children not only gather sensory information, they also refine their senses and motor skills. For example, it takes very refined movement of the hands and fingers to produce the penmanship required for writing. Squeezing clay, picking up puzzle pieces, and lacing thread through beads are ways for young children to practice using hands and fingers.

We organize the classroom environment to promote active learning. We do lots of things to encourage children to think and talk about their discoveries and creations. The next time you want your child to learn about something, provide the materials, space, and time. Then step back and watch. You will be surprised at how much more the child will discover through active involvement.

Infant and Toddler Curriculum (Ages 6-weeks – 36-months)

Infants and toddlers require a considerable amount of nurturing and basic care. According to research on brain development a highly significant amount of learning takes place from birth to age 3. Infants, toddlers and young children require consistent, positive interactions with nurturing adults in order to develop the complex networks of brain connections they will need to form healthy relationships. These early relationships are vital to the child’s ability to trust, to love, and to feel safe and secure.

Preschool Curriculum (Ages 3-years - 4-years)

The preschool curriculum combines themes and children’s interest into a play-based learning environment. Learning domains and age appropriate standards reflect common developmental patterns. Lesson plans will be modified based on child observations, areas of interest, and the agreed-upon teacher/parent goals. Classroom environments are arranged for the children to be successful in the investigation and discovery of his or her world. Activities will include opportunities for social interaction and peaceful problem solving.

T4K Program (Together-for-Kids) (Ages 4-years)

Learning Ladder has partnered with the Monona Grove School District to provide 4-year-old kindergarten as part of a community collaboration. The program is located on-site with daily wrap-around-care available. The program is taught by a Department of Public Instruction certified teacher hired by Learning Ladder.

Non-District 4K Program (Ages 4-years)

We also provide a 4K program for our families who are enrolled but reside outside the Monona Grove School District.

School-Age Curriculum (Ages Kindergarten-5th grade)

The school-age curriculum is designed to provide an atmosphere that builds confidence, self-esteem, personal achievement, while promoting respect for other people and the environment. Children’s natural curiosity and interests will be used as the motivation for development of group and individual situations. Homework assistance will be provided during the academic year. Summer camp will include field trips and community outreach programs.