Nur Islamic School of Louisville Early Childhood Center

We believe that children learn best through active exploration of their environment and a well-balanced relationship of child-initiated and teacher-directed learning.

Our curriculum is based on the following theories of child development and education:

1. Maslows Theory of Basic Needs
2. The childs physiological needs such as food and shelter, safety and security needs , the need for belonging , and self-esteem must be met first before a child is able to learn

1. Piagets Theory of Cognitive Development
2. 0-2 years, children are in the sensorimotor stage , learning through their senses
3. 2-7 years of age, children go through the preoperational stage , seeing the world from their point of view, being naturally self-centered, learn through dramatic, fantasy, and creative play, and understanding and using objects and words as symbols

1. Eriksons Theory of Stages of Social and Emotional Development
2. Children go through stages of emotional development in order and cannot go to the next stage until the previous one is resolved
3. As infants, children learn to trust
4. As toddlers, children learn to be autonomous, independent, and self-regulating
5. As preschoolers, children learn to be responsible, resilient, and develop initiative

1. Vygotskys Theory of Social Development
2. Children learn through positive social interactions with adults and other children
3. Enhanced learning occurs in the zone of proximal development , which is the zone where a task is too difficult for a child to do on their own, and through guidance of another, more knowledgeable adult or peer, a child is able to accomplish it

1. Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences
2. Children learn through different ways and are able to develop strength in specific, and even all intelligences. No one form of intelligence is better than the other, but cultures have prejudices and biases for certain types
3. Verbal/Linguistic
4. Logical/Mathematical
5. Musical
6. Visual/Spatial
7. Body/Kinesthetic
8. Interpersonal
9. Intrapersonal

1. Smilanskys Theory of Four Stages of Cognitive Play
2. F unctional play allows children to use their senses to experiment
3. Constructive play allows children to learn the different purposes of materials
4. Pretend play allows children to develop fantasy and creativity
5. Games with rules allow children to learn self-control

The NISL Early Childhood Center implements the Creative Curriculum to develop the cognitive, social, emotional , and physical needs of the child, along with additional support for spiritual growth and sustenance .

We believe that the role of the teacher is to create an environment that enables children to make choices, observe, explore, and experiment to maximize learning. Our well-planned, rich environment is conductive to development of the whole child and incorporates eleven interest areas:

1. Library
2. Computers
3. Discovery
4. Art
5. Dramatic Play
6. Blocks
7. Sand and Water
8. Music and Movement
9. Cooking
10. Table Toys and Games
11. Outdoors