The Watch Me Grow Child Development Center (WMG) knows that children's early experiences affect their ability to learn and reason later in life. We also understand the importance of school readiness. This is why WMG ensures that each of our programs strive to help your child learn and grow through the appropriate developmental milestones. Researchers confirm that the way parents and caregivers interact with and the experiences provided for a young child have a big impact on the child's emotional development, learning abilities, and ultimately, success in school and later in life.

Each child at WMG will have their own personalized portfolio that will follow him/her through all the ages and stages. The portfolio will allow the teachers to track and monitor his/her progress, perform ongoing assessments and be able to share this with you during parent/teacher conferences. This is a wonderful keepsake for you to store away for your child. In all of our programs, WMG utilizes the Creative Curriculum®. Not only is every aspect of The Creative Curriculum® based on sound developmental theory and evidence-based research, but numerous research studies have been conducted to validate its effectiveness.

At WMG our programs are associated with a child's age and developmental stage:

Caterpillars (6 weeks to 12 months):

WMG ensures that babies receive that personal attention and responsive care to help a baby develop trust and foster a healthy development. Babies are held, nurtured, given plenty of tummy time and guided through the wonderful world of language by using sound, songs and gestures. It is important for a teacher to understand your baby's needs and to create a positive bond by using appropriate strategies and activities. Therefore, allowing your baby to learn more about the world. WMG will work closely with parents to develop each baby's daily schedule.

Rolly Polly Beetles (12 to 18 months):

Once a child begins to walk independently they will graduate to the Rolly Polly room. This room gives Rolly Polly's the opportunity to explore and discover with the help, guidance and support of his/her teacher. Children will participate in activities and a schedule that will incorporate the following skills:

•  Improve gross and fine motor skills
  
•  Develop receptive and expressive language
  
•  Improve relationship skills
  
•  Nourish curiosity and enjoyment of activities and objects

Lady Bugs (18 to 24 months):

Young toddlers are encouraged to explore independently in the Lady Bug room to help with problem solving skills. A more structured schedule is introduced with circle time and teacher led activities, though a majority of the time will be spent doing what children love to do- play. Play provides immeasurable learning opportunities for toddlers by building on the different developmental domains of physical, language, social and cognitive. Young toddlers do not truly play with their peers, but next to them. WMG tries to lay the foundation for Lady Bugs to eventually learn to play interactively with others, by constantly listening and problem solving in an environment that is warm, respectful and supportive.

Bumble Bees (2 years):

Greater independence emerges at this age and the Bumble Bee's are given plenty of activities, space and less interference to learn and explore. Another BIG milestone of this room is potty training. Staff are well trained in this area and will work closely with parents to help their little Bee reach this goal. Circle Time and a daily schedule are used that will incorporate the following:

•  Language Arts
  
•  Motor Skills
  
•  Cognitive Development
  
•  Creative Art
  
•  Social Science
•  Nature Studies
  
•  Music and Movement
  
•  Self Help and Life Skills
  

Grasshoppers (3 years):

WMG's Preschool Program is extraordinary! Our ultimate goal is to have your child ready for Kindergarten in two years and to become a successful and eager lifetime learner. Concepts are presented in a fun and exciting way to encourage self-discovery and confidence. The Grasshoppers will explore and discover independently, with a friend or in small groups to continue to build on the foundation of interactive play and problem solving. Computers are an everyday component of the preschool classroom and allow children to practice new skills at their own pace according to their abilities.

Butterflies (4 to 5 years):

WMG's Pre-K program will have your child ready to succeed at Kindergarten work. During this program, the butterflies will follow a schedule and perform activities that will make the transition to Kindergarten an easy one. To do well in school, children need to be supported and nurtured in all areas of development. Our staff will work on the following Domains of Learning in Pre-K:

• Social and Emotional
  
• Development and Health
  
• Language and Literacy
  
• Mathematical Thinking
  
• Scientific Thinking
  
• Social Studies
  
• The Arts

No matter which program your child is in, from a Caterpillar to a Butterfly, our programs will offer your child the opportunity to build skills and abilities by:

•  Playing with other children
  
•  Following rules and routines
  
•  Running, jumping, climbing and exploring
  
•  Listening to and discussing books and stories
  
•  Learning letters, shapes and numbers
  
•  Talking about animals, plants, family and the community
•  Expressing himself through music, art and dance