FOCUS AREAS – RAINBOW DREAMS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY

KEYS TO LEARNING

OUR FOCUS IS ON LEARNING

The primary focus of Rainbow Dreams Early Learning Academy is to uplift and empower the “at risk” and “under-served” population of Las Vegas as defined by state statutes and removes barriers to academic equity. We provide a firm educational foundation while encouraging diversity and cultural appreciation. We provide smaller, more manageable teacher-to-student ratios and a highly qualified faculty and staff while offering outreach support programs to maximize collaboration between parents, students, and faculty. At RDELA, we pride ourselves on providing a challenging academic curriculum that focuses on early childhood literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

Empowering young scholars to articulate their imagination and perceive the world around them enriches their capacity to construct and develop ideas. Employing the creative arts enables young minds to express thoughts and concepts using a diverse range of artistic mediums, facilitating the sharing of ideas amongst peers. This approach not only delves into early learning concepts but also ignites their curiosity and enhances observational skills through engagement with their broader community.

Oral language is the foundation of language and literacy development. The National Early Literacy Panel identified oral language as one of the strongest predictors of success for young children in the areas of reading, writing, and spelling. Children who experience language within school and home settings have a stronger likelihood of achieving academic success. Hart and Risley (1995) suggest that four-year-old children from low socioeconomic areas will hear 13 million less words than children from working-class families prior to entering school. The numbers are alarming and in order to address the needs of the community, the ECE program will have a strong emphasis on early literacy.

Concepts around math are critical for young learners. As a scholar of Rainbow Dreams Early Learning Academy, children will have the opportunity to engage with numbers and math activities through exploring numbers, number sense, patterns, shapes, colors, and computation utilizing both abstract concepts and hands on activities. Teachers will be responsible for utilizing math manipulatives (i.e., blocks, counters, pattern blocks, etc.) for instructional purposes and should capitalize on the students’ strengths. In order to achieve strong early math development, teachers will plan and prepare small group learning activities that increase student knowledge and understanding of math concepts.

Research indicates that gross motor development increases fine motor development. Therefore, it is important to ensure that our children are given opportunities to play and strengthen their muscles. Children who participate in the ECE program will have frequent physical development learning as teachers engage children with activities that support eye-hand coordination, movement, and making healthy choices.

Fine motor skill development is crucial for early learners as it plays a foundational role in their overall growth and development. Fine motor skills involve the coordination and control of small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists, enabling children to perform precise and controlled movements. Fine motor skills are fundamental for academic readiness, particularly in activities like writing, drawing, coloring, and using scissors. Proficient fine motor skills allow children to grip pencils, manipulate crayons, and control writing tools effectively, facilitating early literacy and numeracy development as well as coordination and self-care skills.

For young children, science is one of the most exciting content areas as it allows children to use their curiosity to explore and discover. Through engagement with science concepts, children are able to view the physical world around them, form questions from observations, and identify descriptions of their environment. These experiences highlight their learning and support other areas of early childhood development.

Our preschool computer technology program is designed to introduce our young learners to the world of technology in a fun, creative, and engaging way. Through interactive activities and educational software, students will have the opportunity to explore various digital platforms, such as age-appropriate learning apps and educational games. We stress the importance of early exposure to technology and aim to develop basic digital skills and literacy in our students while also promoting creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is of paramount importance for early learners as it forms the bedrock of their holistic development. Through SEL, young children acquire essential skills to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions effectively, fostering emotional intelligence. It cultivates empathy, promotes positive social interactions, and enhances communication skills, enabling them to navigate relationships and collaborate with peers. These foundational skills not only create a conducive learning environment but also lay the groundwork for improved academic performance, better decision-making, and a strong sense of self-awareness. Ultimately, integrating SEL into early education equips young learners with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally throughout their educational journey and into adulthood.