In 2008, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) released the DC Early Learning Standards to ensure that all children are ready for kindergarten. The standards are organized by four (4) key domains that include:
Social Emotional Development
At ALG this means children learn to take care of their personal needs or ask for help. They make friends, practice regulating their impulses, and learn how to take turns, share space and materials and collaborate in group play. They experience conflict and failure in a supportive environment and develop resilience.
Physical Development
At ALG this means children build endurance and strength through vigorous daily outdoor play, and practice jumping, running, biking and climbing. They develop their gross motor skills through open ended activities as well as more structured classes such as yoga and capoeira.Their hand strength, which is essential for writing, is developed through working with a range of art, science and natural materials.
Cognitive Development
At ALG this means children are keen observers, curious, and excited about learning. They experience the world hands-on, make plans, see them fail, re-make them and try again. They tinker with cause and effect, with problem solving, and learn to reflect on what is going on in the world around them. They develop their capacity for executive function — critical for later academic and social success.
Language Development
At ALG this means children’s language is developed through dramatic play, storytelling, puppeteering and lots of time and opportunities to talk to adults and to one another. They experience the joy of literacy in a no pressure environment through creative and meaningful experiences with reading and writing.
ALG meets and exceeds all recommendations provided by OSSE’s Early Learning Standards. Children leave ALG ready for kindergarten. The vast majority of our alumni attend public and charter schools in Washington, D.C. ready and eager to learn. They are a kind, creative and resourceful group and we are confident that they will make their impact on the world around them.
