Child Development at Northridge

As children grow and develop skills, different ways of learning are needed. Thus, for the students at NorthRidge, the program will include the following:

Social Development: The preschool and kindergarten years are the best time to help children establish a positive cycle in their social relations. Teachers at NorthRidge will provide models of interactive skills, set patterns for class interaction, and provide help to children who are in the process of acquiring and strengthening social understanding and skills.

Spiritual Development: We believe that spiritual growth occurs naturally in conjunction with the other aspects of a child’s development. Our objective is to provide this spiritual nurturing by way of our day-to-day actions, speech, and our non-denominational Christian curriculum. We endeavor to show God’s love for us by teaching and practicing the “Golden Rule” and we encourage an attitude of thanksgiving for God’s gifts by teaching and using simple prayers in class. A Scripture verse is part of our weekly activities and appropriate Bible stories are included, especially the Christmas story.

Language Development: The development of oral language is one of the child’s most natural – and impressive – accomplishments. Teachers at NorthRidge will help sustain natural language development by providing environments full of language development opportunities. Children will learn new words through exercises, songs and hands-on activities.

Cognitive Development: Young children make rapid intellectual advances during the preschool years. Teachers at NorthRidge will provide children with problem-solving activities, dramatic play areas, sensory activities, and other activities which promote a child’s understanding of logical consequences.

Gross Motor Development: Gross motor skills are the abilities required in order to control the large muscles of the body for walking, running, sitting, crawling, and other activities. Children will be given the opportunity for outdoor play and PE classes with equipment and activities geared towards the skills of the child.

Fine Motor Development: Fine motor skills are those skills which require a child to manipulate and gain control over a range of materials and tools and are developed through time, experience and knowledge. Teachers at NorthRidge will encourage the development of fine motor skills by offering many activities involving hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.

Individual Self-Awareness: Self-awareness is an essential skill that children learn in the early years. The foundation of self-awareness is laid when children are infants and toddlers. At these stages, children learn “what is me” and “what is not me.” Toddlers are sensitive to the feelings of the adults around them, and they begin to mimic adult behavior. Teachers at NorthRidge will teach and encourage the children to dress themselves, put away their own toys and supplies, prepare and serve snacks and hang their own artwork. They will be good role models for the children to imitate.