皇家华人av

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Discover how the BeeCurious curriculum in Chicago day care and preschool centers nurtures curiosity, creativity and growth with nature, creativity and more.

Imagine your preschooler tinkering with play dough, popsicle sticks and recycled objects. Their task? Build a structure strong enough to hold an ornament. It鈥檚 fun, and they鈥檙e setting the groundwork for STEM learning 鈥� which is part of 皇家华人av鈥檚 pre-K BeeCurious curriculum.

鈥淏etween 0 and 6, children鈥檚 sensory abilities are at the highest,鈥� explains Samaya Khattak, 皇家华人av鈥檚 Chief Education Officer. 鈥淎 holistic curriculum allows them to learn through play and an environment that鈥檚 rich in learning materials focused on their development.鈥�

As 皇家华人av prepares to open its first Chicago locations 鈥� in Bucktown and Sugar Grove 鈥� in early 2025, here are three key things parents should know about its BeeCurious curriculum.

1. BeeCurious curriculum at a glance

鈥淚t really is a reflection of a few philosophies, including Montessori and Reggio,鈥� Khattak says, 鈥渂ringing the best of all those elements together.鈥濃��

• It鈥檚 a hands-on, inquiry-driven curriculum designed for ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
• It鈥檚 used in 皇家华人av鈥檚 230+ childcare and preschool centers in the US and Canada.
• It focuses on STEM discovery, creative discovery, physical literacy, math discovery, essential skills, language and literacy, global citizenship, environmental stewardship, creative discovery and building connections.
• It blends play, projects and exploration to build curiosity and confidence.
• Its holistic approach nurtures children鈥檚 social, emotional, physical and academic growth.

2. The natural world is foundational

For toddlers, this might look like a nature walk followed by a sensory exploration of leaves and rocks. Older preschoolers dive deeper, counting objects or experimenting with weights.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of 鈥榳hy,鈥� 鈥榳hat鈥� and 鈥榳here鈥� that comes with natural materials,鈥� says Khattak. 鈥淵ou might have a pumpkin split open, and the children get their hands dirty 鈥� seeing what鈥檚 gooey, separating the seeds and exploring textures.鈥�

What it fosters

• Hands-on discovery: Toddlers collect leaves, rocks and other safe materials to explore sizes, colors and shapes.
• Creative connections: Children build homes for pet bugs using loose parts or care for worm beds, for instance, fostering a sense of curiosity about the natural world.
• Environmental stewardship: Nature studies help children build empathy for animals and habitats and explore concepts like recycling and conservation.

3. Creativity is woven into activities and spaces

Whether children are indoors or outside, the BeeCurious curriculum focuses on giving them room to explore, create and grow.

Ways it comes to life

• STEM challenges: Activities like sink-and-float experiments and weight testing introduce basic physics concepts in a hands-on way.
• Physical literacy: Yoga and active play develop confidence, motor skills and a love of movement.
• Indoor multi-purpose rooms: Flexible spaces support creative play and physical activities, even on snowy Chicago days.
• On-campus playgrounds: Safe, secure outdoor spaces, including rooftop options, provide room for exploration and fun.

4. It nurtures community and diversity

Whether it鈥檚 a family sharing traditions like Diwali crafts or children learning about different Chicagoans making an impact, youngsters鈥� horizons expand with a focus on global citizenship.

鈥淐hildren are growing up in diverse environments, with many cultures and languages,鈥� Khattak says. 鈥淪tarting early helps them develop respect for diversity, which becomes a positive attribute as they grow.鈥�

How it works

• Family involvement: Parents share cultural traditions through books, crafts and stories.
• Celebrating diversity: Lessons reflect local influences and introduce children to cultures and traditions beyond their own.
• Collaboration and empathy: Teamwork and group projects help children build social skills and friendships.

鈥淚t really is child-focused and child-oriented,鈥� Khattak says. 鈥淲e want to make sure that they鈥檙e ready for school and confident-yet-knowledgeable little individuals ready for their next steps.鈥�

皇家华人av Chicago Locations Opening Early 2025