Franklin Children's School's curriculum and assessment process is developmentally appropriate and is guided by the standards set forth by the Office of Early Education and Care of Massachusetts.  The goal of our curriculum is to present meaningful learning experiences whereby children learn through play.  Our focus is on the process of learning, and not the product.  Our curriculum is also based on weekly themes that are influenced by the criteria set forth in the Massachusetts Frameworks and the ten standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.   Our curriculum goals, objectives, and assessment methods are based upon the four areas of early childhood development.   These four areas of development include a child¡¯s social/emotional/self-help skills, physical development, cognitive development, and language development.  Our main objective is to foster the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each child in a nurturing, secure, and fun, learning environment.

Curriculum Outline

The following is a general, brief description of our curriculum outline.  It is divided into the four main areas of child development.   In each of these areas of development there are specific goals and objectives that we hope each child will master.  As educators we realize that each child is unique and develops at his/her own rate of growth and development.   We know that children master and gain new skills when they are developmentally ready.  Therefore, the specific goals /objectives of our curriculum outline are continually adjusted and re-evaluated to meet the needs of each individual child.

Social/Emotional Development

This area of development includes a childs self-help skills, their personal and social development, as well as their ability to understand the world in which they live.  It focuses on a childs ability to be responsible, independent, and their ability to follow rules and routines.  It also includes pro-social behaviors, such as their ability to share, take turns, and what it means to be part of a community.   This area is essential to a childs well being and their success in school and in life.

Language Arts Development

This area focuses on a childs ability to communicate and comprehend oral/written language.  It also includes a child¡¯s ability to participate in conversations; their ability to express ones self, beginning to understand the purpose of print, the knowledge of letters as symbols, and the importance of literacy.  A solid foundation in language development gives children the skills they need to become successful and confident learners.

Physical Development

This area includes a childs developing fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and their ability to express themselves through music, movement, and art activities.  It includes the bodys large muscles for jumping, hopping, etc., and the coordination and dexterity of small muscles in the hands to manipulate objects such as scissors, legos, and writing tools.  As children learn what their bodies can do and how to take care of them, they gain in self-confidence. 

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is the process of learning to think, reason, and the ability to make choices.  The goals/objectives for this are includes a childs ability to make predictions, sort, classify, count, measure, etc. and their ability to use their imaginations.  This area fosters childrens critical thinking skills and includes math/science skills.