Infants
Curriculum
Curriculum is what an educational institution offers to its students. Gloria Dei’s Early Childhood Ministries has developed a well-balanced curriculum covering all areas of a child’s growth and development: spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional and physical. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of our very youngest children through our Kindergarten as they interact with the world God made. The curriculum focuses on age appropriate activities, physical and emotional care, a safe and nurturing environment, and interaction between faculty and families. The curriculum meets the standards of the Texas and National Lutheran School accreditation, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and is recognized by the Texas Education Association (TEA).
The Gloria Dei Early Childhood Ministries Infant Curriculum includes the following content areas:
Faith Development is the central purpose of our ministry. Sharing our Christian faith and teaching children about Jesus enables
them to grow in their relationship with their Savior. Opportunities exist in all classrooms to achieve this purpose through
teacher/child interaction and integrating spiritual elements into lessons and activities. All lessons contain developmentally
appropriate learning activities that correspond to the interest, challenges and needs of children. Teachers use a variety of age and developmentally appropriate resources to enhance each lesson. The “Little Blessings Curriculum” is used to supplement the curriculum with additional spiritual materials in the Infant and Toddler classrooms. "Little Blessings" is a curriculum designed to guide our youngest children as they take their first steps in His kingdom. Age appropriate activities, physical and emotional care, a safe and nurturing environment and interaction between teacher and parent are important in quality ministry to infants.
Art is the expression of God's beauty in His creation. Children are encouraged to express themselves in a creative way and
through a variety of media. Children will be exposed to basic artistic elements.
Language Development helps children to build language skills and strategies through aural, oral, and written instruction and opportunities. Through language experiences children will be enabled to find enjoyment, information, insight and inspiration.
Children will begin to learn to communicate in an expressive manner that is essential for their individual enrichment and enjoyment.
Mathematics helps children to develop skills and enables them through experiences to become flexible thinkers and problem solvers. Concepts are introduced through play, experience and discovery. Children who are developmentally ready and interested
will have a variety of creative, resourceful and imaginative opportunities.
Music helps children to explore their innermost feelings and gives them an opportunity to express themselves through musical expression and rhythmic movement. The “Musik Garten Curriculum” is used to supplement the learning experience with additional materials and resources.
Physical Education and Health contributes to the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and social development of children. Children will develop a sense of personal well being and interpersonal relationships through interactive movement, games and activities. Our philosophy during this time is to encourage a sense of cooperation and trust.
Each age level has a curriculum that is used for planning classroom activities. An appropriate age-level curriculum is located in each classroom. A copy of the overall curriculum is available for viewing by contacting the Director of the Early Childhood Ministries.
INFANT NEWSLETTER APRIL 2012
Dear Parents,
As we enter the month of April, we take this opportunity to give thanks for the great sacrifice made for our sins through the shed blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! By celebrating Easter and Christ’s resurrection, we are giving hope for our future and beyond. God has shown his great love for us by the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ, “that whosoever in him will not perish, but have eternal life!”
During March children enjoyed the many activities and learning adventures that happened in the Rodeo Room, “The ECM Corral”, where they all had their pictures taken acting like real Texan cowboys and cowgirls.
April will also be a fun month filled with many activities, including Spring Fling. Throughout April children will be learning about God’s Earth, our unit for this month. We will also be sharing the Easter story with our little ones. Our Fruit of the Spirit this month is: “Peace,” our Bible Verse is: “Live at peace with everyone,” Romans 12:18,the Shape is: the “Diamond,” our Color is:”Brown,” and the Community Worker this month will be: Plant Growers.
We would like to say a special “Thank You” to all our parents who participated in the Art Fundraiser.
It is our prayer that God bless and keep you and your child in the coming moth!!!
Dates to Remember:
April 6th ECM Closed for Good Friday April 8th Easter Sunday. You are invited to attend worship service. April 9th ECM –Closed forFaculty Training April 10th &11th Spring Fling 9-12 (Wear Blue ECM t-shirt)
Parents are welcome to attend and join in the celebration.
April 15th-21st Volunteer Appreciation Week. Thanks for all you do! April 19th-20th Parent Volunteer Chapel @ 9:10 AM April 22nd Earth Day April 22nd-28th Earth Week Recycle~ Reuse~Recycle
Peace be with you, Infant Teachers
