Programs & Curriculum

Seneca:

(Social, Emotional, Nurture, Exploration, Cognitive and Academic):

SENECA is the MKHEEC difference. Based in SENECA, each of our programs supports a child’s individual needs while simultaneously providing them with a well-rounded, early childhood experience.

Social:

Social development is the process in which children acquire the skills to interact with those around them. As they explore their own individuality, they also gain skills to communicate with others and process their actions. Social development most often refers to how children nurture friendships and other relationships, as well as how a child handles challenging exchanges with others. At MKHEEC, we walk children through their interactions with their peers. We help them grow the skills needed to identify emotions in others and how to respond.

Emotional:

Emotional development is the capacity to identify, process, and express one’s emotions. Most importantly, this type of development is the ability to empathize with others. The evolution of these emotions, both positive and negative, is largely affected by relationships with parents, teachers, siblings, and peers. We use a variety of tools, including emotion cards and educational songs, to support each child’s growth in developing their Emotional Intelligence (EQ). 

Nurturing:

Nurturing care is the set of conditions that provide for the optimum care and brain development of young children. It is essential for child development and lays the foundation for learning, health behavior and social interactions. The five domains of Nurturing Care within our curriculum are nutrition, health, responsive care, safety and security, and early learning.

Each child develops in multiple ways and at their own pace. We nurture their growth through milestone-appropriate curriculum, activities, toys, and space. We also provide low student-to-teacher ratios, mixed-age-group learning opportunities (learning from older peers), one-on-one routines, and lesson reinforcement.

Exploration:

Children learn about science concepts through the exploration of both their indoor and outdoor environment. They use all of their five senses to take in new information and actively learn about their world.

From the moment of birth, children begin exploring their new world by touching, smelling, tasting, listening, observing, and playing. Through this constant exploration, they are rapidly developing the “domains” of their physical and mental abilities. The simplest of activities at every age level promotes stimulation and growth in their cognitive, social, language, and physical (fine and gross motor) skills. These four domains develop all at the same time.

Cognitive:

Cognitive Development is learning and processing of information – our thinking and knowing. Cognition involves language, imagination, thinking, reasoning, problem solving, and memory. Our cognitive skills help us organize what we know and generalize that knowledge into other areas.

Teachers understand how children learn and process information; therefore, they can recognize a breakdown in cognition. When a red flag appears, teachers may refer a child for an evaluation to pinpoint the breakdown – and the sooner, the better. This child may have a learning disability or some other deficit that needs attention.

Academic:

The center offers the following:

• Age appropriate curriculum, activities, toys, and physical space
• Low student-to-teacher ratio
• Small group learning opportunities
• One-on-one time for interactions, routines, and lesson reinforcement
• Mixed-age-group (preschool) learning from older peers and development of leadership skills
• Academic and social development education
• Responsive caregivers to support children’s developmental needs
• Teachers and families work collaboratively to ensure that children are provided optimal learning experiences