What is a Kapers for Kids Curriculum Program?
Kapers for Kids curriculum are fun and educational activities programs that are designed for use in family childcare homes, childcare centers, preschools or in your home. Its purpose is to give busy childcare providers the materials they need to provide a developmentally appropriate program of activities for the 2 to 5 year old children in their care. It can be used between three and five days per week.
The Funsteps and Twosteps programs recognize that providers need to be able to devote their full attention to their day to day interactions with the children. And, when their childcare day is done, they need to be able to "go home from work" just as people who work in any other profession do. In order to make that happen, they need the benefit of curriculum materials which are prepared professionally. The Funsteps and Twosteps programs make this kind of support available to them through the monthly Curriculum kits which come complete with plans and materials for a variety of activities.
What are the goals of the Kapers for Kids Curriculum Program?
The Kapers programs recognize that children learn best by doing. In Funsteps, the program offers the provider several coordinated developmentally-appropriate activities in each of the 12 Daily Activity Packets. Twosteps offers a similar range of activities appropriate for children 2-3 years old. There are many suggestions for activities which provide opportunities for the children to use their own creativity, as well as a variety of structured activities. The activities are designed to help your child grow emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically; and to build a strong sense of their own individuality and self esteem. The program will also prepare your child for a good beginning in school.
What exactly will my child be doing in a Kapers program?
The Funsteps program is developed around 2 or 3 themes each month. Each month's program includes a variety of activities, such as those listed in the following areas:
language activities - circle time activities allow children to share in discussions of experiences and concepts with which they are familiar, as well as to be introduced to new ideas.
large muscle activities - these activities help children to develop physically in a setting fun and cooperation are emphasized, rather than competition.
number recognition - math concepts, such as size, shape, counting and one-to-one correspondence are introduced.
activities which develop listening skills - the program includes many stories, activities which require following directions, and opportunities for interacting with other children through language and listening.
science experiences - simple science concepts are introduced through hands on activities such as planting seeds, using magnifying glasses to observe familiar objects, water play, and many other fun activities.
matching, sorting, and sequencing - there are many opportunities presented throughout the program which help children learn these important pre-reading concepts.
creative play - opportunities for creative play include such activities as building block cities, creating a cardboard carton fire station, and arranging chairs to make a pretend bus or train.
cooking activities - cooking activities provide opportunities for children to experiment with textures, measuring, dough sculpture, following step-by-step directions and many other developmental skills. Funsteps provides many ideas for cooking activities.
self help activities - Funsteps provides activities which help children to learn both independence and cooperation. Such concepts as playground safety, dental health, and nutrition are included regularly through stories, hands-on experiences, games, etc.
creative art activities - your child will participate in many activities which provide experience with a wide range of art mediums, such as various kinds of paints, crayons and markers; play dough and other materials for sculpting; scissors; and various kinds of paper, etc. Although your child's creative art creations may not be as "cute" as the craft projects he or she brings home, do take the time to ask your child about these creations. Try to comment on some particularly interesting aspect of the creation such as the colors your child chose, or the kinds of lines used in a drawing.
craft activities - your child will bring home many examples of craft activities. These help children learn to follow step-by-step instructions, develop listening skills, and manipulate a wide range of materials. They serve as fun reminders of other activities and concepts, and as colorful decorations which your child will be proud to add to your refrigerator collection. Many of these creations, such as puppets and crafts with moveable parts, offer opportunities for creative play when the craft itself has been assembled.
music and rhythm activities - the Funsteps program includes 6 to 8 new songs each month as well as rhythm and creative movement activities. You'll receive copies of the words for each month's songs in the monthly parent letter, so that you can learn the songs along with the children.
alphabet activities - two or three alphabet letters are introduced each month, in sequence. Our purpose is to introduce your child to the way that letters are used in words, and the way that words are used in our world as a means of communication. Emphasis is on letter recognition. The program includes an activity page for each letter and other fun activities which help to increase letter recognition and an enthusiasm for books and reading.
How are parents involved in the program?
You'll receive a parent letter at the beginning of each month, to inform you of the suggested activities for that month. You'll also receive notes periodically during the month. These will tell you about activities which may be planned, such as color days when the children will need to wear clothing of a specific color or bring something that has that color. Your provider won't always include everything that is suggested and will need to consider the developmental level and interests of the children in her group, her own time constraints, and the makeup of her particular group of children. From time to time you may be asked to contribute various materials; such as milk or egg cartons, etc.
How can you support your provider's efforts to provide a quality program for your child?
Be aware that family childcare providers need to be flexible and that plan may need to be changed at a moment's notice, just as they do in your own home. Some days it may be better for the children to discard the planned schedule and just spend the day dealing with a child who is coping with a traumatic experience. Or if the road builders have some neat machinery in front of the house, it may be more valuable for the children to observe their activities, rather than to do the cooking activity planned for the day.
You may also be asked to share in the cost of providing a quality curriculum program by the addition of a small materials fee to the weekly or monthly childcare fee that you now pay. You will help support your childcare provider and expand the horizons for your child.
What are some of the weekly curriculum themes that will be presented in the Funsteps program?
Magnificent Me Community Helpers Let's Recycle! Pilgrim Days Winter Wonderlands |
The Gingerbread Toy Shop Penguins, Pelicans, Puffins How Shall We Go? Hearts & Flowers Week Signs Are Fun |
The Senses In Springtime Puddles Are Great! Worms & Wiggly Friends Baby Animals ....and many more. |