We utilize Kaplan Learn Every Day, along with the Creative Curriculum with the Florida Department of Education’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards. These standards guide teachers on what children should understand and be able to do as they move from birth to age 5. We utilize this approach in all of our programs: Infant classroom, Toddler classrooms,3-Year-Olds' classroom, VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) classroom, Before and After School Program and Summer Camp Programs.

The first four years of life is a period of rapid development for young children. Recent research supports that every child is born with well-developed senses and reflexes. Beginning at birth, young infants are able to form relationships with adults, develop trust, and explore the world. With adequate nutrition, an appropriate environment, and nurturing by responsive adults, young children become actively engaged in exploration and in learning about their environments.

Each child’s special temperament and family context ensure that, while development will follow a somewhat predictable sequence, the child’s development will be unique.

Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards are comprehensive and contain age-appropriate information and reflections about how young children explore, create, and think. The Standards are grounded in Florida’s conviction that children’s early experiences are directly related to later success in school, in the workforce, and in life. The information in this document is offered to parents, caregivers, and teachers so that their interactions with young children in the home, and in school readiness, Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), and other early care and education programs can build upon children’s emerging talents and strengths in appropriate and enriching ways.

The Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds create a common framework and language for providers of both the School Readiness and VPK programs.

Based on collaboration with a state panel of experts, national and state expert reviewers, and public input from citizens across Florida, the Standards for Four-Year-Olds reflect the latest research on child development and developmentally appropriate practices for 4-year-old children. Standards and benchmarks are organized into five domains.

Physical Development.

Approaches to Learning.

Social and Emotional Development.

Language, Communication and Emergent Literacy.

Cognitive Development and General Knowledge.

Benchmarks are available for two domains–the domains of Language, Communication and Emergent Literacy, and the Mathematical Thinking section of Cognitive Development and General Knowledge–to help explain further what Florida’s children should know and be able to do by the end of prekindergarten.

Guiding Principles

The Florida Birth through Five Early Learning and Development Standards are based on principles that incorporate our collective knowledge about child development and sound professional practice. These principles reflect a shared position about early learning and development.

The first five years of life is a period of rapid growth and development.

Development begins during pregnancy and continues throughout life. During the first five years, brain development continues, physical capabilities expand, and many new social and cognitive skills emerge quickly.

Nurturing and responsive relationships are the foundation of healthy growth and development.

Young children depend on the support, unconditional love, and guidance of the adults who care for them in order to maximize the opportunities available through newly-developing skills. The most important relationship in a young child’s life is the one between the child and parents. Other significant adults must work in partnership with parents to ensure that a young child experiences a seamless and supportive environment.

Developmental milestones occur in a predictable order, but each child develops at a unique pace.

Development occurs in several areas or domains. Growth in one area can affect growth in another area. Growth is shaped by many factors, including, the temperaments, and cultural. Not all children will attain a skill at the same time, and each child’s progress will be unique.

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