Moravian Academy’s Early Childhood Staff to Adopt New, Internationally Recognized Curriculum
Moravian Academy's Early Childhood Staff to Adopt New, Internationally Recognized Curriculum The Valley Ledger
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Adoption of International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) at Moravian Academy
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (April 10, 2024)
Moravian Academy, a top private college preparatory school in the Lehigh Valley, has announced that its early childhood staff unanimously voted to adopt the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for its preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten programs at its Historic Downtown Campus in Bethlehem. This decision comes after an extensive research campaign conducted by the institution to identify the highest-quality early childhood education program.
“Any great school regularly reviews and develops its curriculum,” said Dr. Sara Vanderbeck, assistant director for Moravian Academy’s Historic Downtown Campus. The IEYC curriculum stood out due to its skill-based foundation, which ensures that students are fully prepared to engage with subsequent learning experiences in first grade.”
Research has shown that attending preschool significantly increases a child’s likelihood of success in future learning. With numerous options available, Moravian’s decision to incorporate the IEYC is based on research-based practices that have been proven to enhance success throughout a child’s educational career. The IEYC aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Institute of Education Sciences’ findings on best preparing young children for school. The curriculum, developed by an expert panel, includes seven comprehensive and practical recommendations for early childhood and preschool learning opportunities. These recommendations focus on:
- Social-emotional skills
- Games to build executive function
- Conversations about mathematical ideas and supporting mathematical language
- Shared book reading to build a child’s knowledge of language, print features, and the world around them
“In addition to providing our youngest students with engaging material to explore, we know that the IEYC is the very best early childhood program,” said Dr. Abby Mahone, Moravian Academy’s director of the Historic Downtown Campus. “The IEYC integrates opportunities for language development and mathematical thinking while also providing intentional instruction focused on self-management and relationship-building. In our early childhood and kindergarten classrooms, students become animal rescuers, weather watchers, and busy builders. They are fully immersed in the exploration of learning instead of solely focusing on letters and numbers. With the IEYC, there is no need to choose between a rigorous education or a fun experience. Both happen simultaneously.”
The IEYC is built on global best practices in early childhood education and takes into account the developmental needs of 2- to 5-year-olds. The curriculum promotes playful learning experiences and early skills that nurture curiosity, agency, and inquiry, ensuring a smooth transition between early years and compulsory education. It will replace Moravian’s current curriculum for students in preschool through kindergarten starting in the 2024-2025 school year.
Moravian Academy’s preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten programs offer both full-day and half-day options. Preschool students can attend three or five days a week, allowing families to tailor their child’s schedule to fit their lifestyle.
Discover the Wonders of Moravian Academy’s Early Childhood Education Program
Moravian Academy invites parents and children to discover the wonders of its early childhood education program on its campus. Children ages 2 to 5 can join the school’s teachers for a fun and joyful specialist class. Each session includes an abbreviated morning circle, art, movement, music, or a Spanish lesson, followed by story time with Dr. Mahone. These classes will run every Friday in April on the Historic Downtown Campus in Bethlehem on April 5, 12, 19, and 26. Registration is $15 per session. Learn more and register here.
For more information on Moravian Academy’s Early Childhood programs, visit www.moravianacademy.org/historic-downtown-campus/early-childhood.
About Moravian Academy
Founded in 1742 by Countess Benigna Von Zinzendorf and D. Esther Swain, Moravian Academy is committed to progressive education that places every child at the center of their learning journey. The school’s signature programs at each location foster self-awareness, expertise, and a lifelong passion for learning, preparing students for success in the Upper School. Moravian Academy offers various academic offerings and unique educational experiences on its Swain, Historic Downtown, and Merle-Smith Campuses.
Visit Moravian Academy in person to experience firsthand the transformative power of a Moravian Academy education and find more information about their programs on their website, www.moravianacademy.org.
Contact Information
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
The article discusses the adoption of the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) by Moravian Academy for its preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten programs. This curriculum is aimed at providing high-quality early childhood education, which aligns with SDG 4’s focus on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
The adoption of the IEYC curriculum by Moravian Academy aims to provide high-quality early childhood education, which contributes to ensuring that children are ready for primary education.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.
The article mentions that research shows that children who attend preschool are more likely to succeed in subsequent learning. By implementing the IEYC curriculum, Moravian Academy aims to provide a foundation for children’s development and learning, which can be measured by tracking the proportion of children who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. | Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: thevalleyledger.com
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