At New Einsteins Academy we strive to ensure that all children in our care are loved,
nurtured and educated in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. We regard each child’s interests,
pace of learning, and imagination as unique and important.
- Provide a high quality early learning program and exceptional care
- Support families in their role of bringing up children by having open and ongoing
communication between parents and NEA’s staff
- Engage children in activities that enhance all areas of their development
- Encourage and support children’s curiosity to research and question things and events
- Give children opportunities to make choices and to form and express their own ideas
- Focus on social and emotional learning as it helps develop and solidify necessary
- Create a peaceful classroom environment that provides the children with emotional
comfort and stability and offers them opportunities to collaborate with others and
to experience themselves as a valued member of the group
- Give children opportunities to experience the satisfaction that comes from overcoming
difficulties and making progress
- Encourage children to revisit, reflect, and interpret their understanding of the
world through play, art and dialogue
- Work constructively with children’s ability and desire to take greater responsibility
for themselves and help them make first steps towards independence
NEA’s innovative curriculum is designed to empower children with the ability to
think broadly. It adapts and responds to the interests of the individual child.
Children search for knowledge and achieve it through play, social interaction, exploration
and creativity, as well as through observation, discussion and reflection.
We believe that children are remarkably capable when given the opportunity to explore
and take on challenges that are suitable to their level of development. This is
especially true when they undertake projects and activities that emerge organically
from the events and ideas that affect them. Our teachers observe and listen to the
themes and ideas that arise in children’s play and conversations, and plan curriculum
activities that encourage in-depth exploration of these ideas.
NEA’s classrooms offer a variety of Learning Centers such as dramatic play, painting
and drawing, molding, blocks and construction, science and discovery, sensory tables,
library, writing table, re-use center, and more. Learning Centers will change throughout
the year depending on students' interests.
Importance of Play - Here at New Einsteins Academy we believe that
the child’s learning is grounded in play and creating meaning out of the world around
them. Ample time is provided for free play, as it offers and encourages unlimited
opportunities for deeper learning. We will allow at least 50 minutes for each free
play period, so children can become deeply involved in their play. Free play,
as opposed to structured activities or games, is the most essential type of play,
and is crucial for becoming socially adept adults and building cognitive skills,
such as critical thinking, problem solving, and coping with stress.
Language and Literacy - Children will be introduced to literacy
skills in fun and meaningful ways when they are ready and interested. Although children
have the capacity to memorize numbers, letters, and words at a young age, it should
not be the primary goal of a young child’s education. Children who are expected
to sight-recognize words without being developmentally ready to read often develop
poor associations with reading.
The goal of our Language and Literacy program is to enhance language development
through listening, speaking and dramatic play, to develop vocabulary and to stimulate
curiosity toward written language. We read books to children individually or in
small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.
Foreign Language – Teaching toddlers and preschoolers foreign languages
provides them with invaluable advantages, both now and for the future. Early contact
with a new language forms the basis for better cognitive development.
A second language is a gift, especially if it is learned effortlessly through daily
play activities. At least one of the teachers in every classroom
and leads children through Spanish numbers, songs, stories and books on a daily
Social Skills - One of the main goals of our program
is a seemingly hidden curriculum of developing and strengthening social skills.
Our goal is to engage children in meaningful social interactions, help them learn
how to manage their emotions, use and develop language to describe their feelings,
and help them to understand the feelings of others. We help develop good manners
as a sign of respect for others.
Social development of children is encouraged by providing opportunities for sharing,
taking turns, making friends, helping others, solving problems, cooperating on projects
and learning how to communicate effectively with peers and teachers and how to stand
up for themselves. For conflict resolutions we use a step-by-step method to arrive
at simple, creative solutions to problems.
Raising Critical Thinkers - We are dedicated to
providing the best tools for your child’s incredible learning journey.
Our curriculum will engage your child in activities that explore deduction, sequencing,
patterning, analogies, logic, and critical analysis.
The difficulty level of various activities will increase as your child’s thinking
skills develop. Your child will learn to sequence events, solve puzzles, match elements,
sort and classify objects, complete patterns, find differences and component parts
and understand many complex concepts, such as distance, speed and weight.
Math, Science and Geography – Children engage
in the exciting world of numbers, measurement and shapes as they pursue activities
such as classifying, matching, sorting, constructing, mapping – even cooking or
helping serve snacks.
Kids discover science all around them – chemistry in the kitchen, physics in the
block pile, biology in the local park. Many of the science activities for the younger
children revolve around animals and plants. Our science topics will include Animals
of the World and Their Habitats, Amphibians and Fish, Bugs and Worms, Dinosaurs,
Parts of Plants and Photosynthesis, Human Anatomy, The Earth and Solar System and
In Geography we explore continents and islands, bodies of water, volcanoes and famous
mountain chains. We study climates, become familiar with the sights of the world’s
great cities, explore national cuisines, folk music and dance. We experience the
rhythm of the year through observing the changing of seasons and weather, and learn
how animals and plants change and adapt.
Values – An important task of our program is to help children acquire
the values of the democratic society. Many activities aim at developing a sense
of empathy and consideration for others, as well as openness and respect for the
differences in the way people think and live.
When various ethical dilemmas present themselves, teachers help children to develop,
discuss and work out their positions.
We actively promote the ideals of respect for all beings, care for the surrounding
environment, and understanding that all people have equal value.
The internationalism of American society imposes high demands on the ability of
people to live with and understand one another’s values. We ensure that each child
develops a sense of acceptance and appreciation for the similarities and differences
of diverse people and rich cultures.
Environment and Health – This portion of our curriculum
focuses on the impact that our actions are having on the earth,
our health and our well-being.
Children will learn about the importance of being pro-active and how to do our part
by making eco-friendly choices: for example, using recycled materials for our art
projects, giving things “second life” in our classrooms, learning how to use water
responsibly, how to recycle and keep our neighborhood clean.
Our environmental studies will be enriched by visits to the North Village Nature
Center, Lincoln Park Zoo, Nature Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the beach. Our learning
module on healthy living will include discussions about healthy diet, weekly cooking
lessons and trips to organic farms.
Creativity – Creative abilities are developed
through many different forms of expression, such as play, drawing,
music and singing, drama and dance. We sing whenever we feel like it – on walks,
during clean-up, or circle time.
Our art projects are process- not product-oriented. Easels are set up every day
for children to paint at their leisure. We ask parents to dress their children in
old clothes, as children are encouraged to “create” without the fear of getting
The creative component of our curriculum will be enhanced by rotating Enrichment
Programs that will include Music and Dance Around the World, Great Artists and others.
Active Play - We devote time to active play every
day. Whether it is playing ball games at the local field, enjoying a kid’s dance
or yoga class, exercise with our teachers or a walk around our beautiful neighborhood,
your child will be engaged in healthy and energetic activities every day. For our
outdoor adventures we use Erhler Playground at 2230 W. Cortland and Churchill Field
Playlot Park at 1825 N. Damen.
Field Trips – To enhance our curriculum, preschool
children will go on exploratory field trips to many different locations (farms,
museums, local businesses, beaches, etc).
Enrichment Programs – All enrichment programs are included in
They include but are not limited to: Music, Yoga, Spanish,
Cooking, KidFit, Science, Theatre, Puppetry, Dance
Around the World, Arts.