Koala Curriculum (0 - 18 Months)
1- Sensory Play Tactile Exploration: Soft toys, textured fabrics, or safe objects for infants to touch. Visual Stimulation: Brightly colored toys, pictures, or mobiles. Infants are attracted to high-contrast visuals, especially in the first few months. Auditory Development: Soft music, nursery rhymes, or a variety of sounds (e.g., bells, rattles). Singing to infants encourages language development. Taste & Smell: For older infants (6+ months), safe exploration with finger foods and introducing new scents (vanilla, lavender) can enhance sensory development. 2- Social & Emotional Development Responsive Caregiving: Infants benefit from caregivers who respond quickly and appropriately to their cues (crying, cooing, etc.), helping them feel safe and secure. Bonding & Attachment: Encourage physical contact through gentle holding, rocking, and eye contact. Group Interactions: For infants in a group setting, allow for short periods of group play where they can observe peers and interact minimally (e.g., baby cooing or making eye contact with each other). |
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3- Physical Development Tummy Time: Essential for building neck and core strength. Aim for short, frequent tummy time sessions. Reaching & Grasping: Provide objects within reach to encourage babies to stretch, grasp, and hold items, which helps with hand-eye coordination. Movement Activities: Encourage crawling, rolling, and walking (if developmentally appropriate) by creating safe, open spaces for infants to move. 4- Outdoor Exploration (if possible) Nature Walks: For older infants, short walks in a stroller or carrier can provide exposure to natural sounds, smells, and sights. Outdoor Play: Sensory exploration of safe, natural materials like grass, sand, or leaves. 5- Language & Cognitive Development Talking & Reading Aloud: Narrate activities to build language recognition. Read simple books with pictures. Simple Songs & Rhymes: Nursery rhymes, like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Pat-a-cake,” can improve memory and speech. Object Permanence Games: Play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek with toys to help babies understand object permanence. Cause-and-Effect Toys: Toys that respond to action (like a ball that lights up when pressed) can encourage babies to understand cause and effect. |
Parent Communication and Involvement
Daily Reports: Communicate with parents about the infant’s activities,
meals, sleep, and any other notable moments.
Parent Workshops: Offering resources for parents on infant development, parenting tips, and how to foster growth at
home.
Developmental Milestone Tracking
Keep track of each infant’s milestones (like rolling over, sitting up, walking, first
words) and adjust activities to meet each baby’s needs. Maintain flexibility based on the infant's developmental stage.
This structure allows for a balance of structured routines and free play. It's important to remember that infants learn best through their
interactions with caregivers and the environment, so the curriculum should be flexible and adaptive to each infant’s unique needs.
A typical day at Kinderworld:
- Arrival & Free Play: Allow babies to explore their environment, with age-appropriate toys, soft music, and visual stimuli.
- Snack & Feeding Times (as per infants’ schedules): Ensure there’s a structured yet flexible feeding routine, which may involve breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or starting solid foods, depending on age.
- Nap Time (11:00 am & 3:00 pm): Routine naps are essential for babies’ growth and well-being.
- Diapering/Toilet Training (as needed): Frequent diaper changes and basic hygiene.