About Us
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum at the El Segundo Co-Op emphasizes play and hands-on experience. We endeavor to create a stimulating learning environment that balances sensory activities, cognitive skill games, and fine and gross motor activities. The curriculum revolves around a monthly theme, with planned daily activities that build upon the theme. Some of these activities include:
- Child-centered art projects, easel painting and play-dough
- Outdoor play, such as climbing, digging, running and ball games
- Science and nature projects, including a magnetic sand table
- Reading books in our library area
- Musical activities and instruments
- Fantasy play
- Movement and dance
- Sand, water table and seed table play
- Building toys and manipulative activities, such as puzzles, blocks and trains
- Guest visitors and field trips
Through these types of play, our programs develop and satisfy a child’s natural desire to learn, so s/he may gain:
- Self-reliance
- Independence
- Respect for others and the environment
- Cooperation
- Logical thinking
- Hand-eye coordination
- Problem-solving skills
- Readiness for formal learning
Program Goals
At the El Segundo Co-Op, the overall goal is to provide a fun and safe environment that fosters a child’s development along many different dimensions:
Social: Develop mutually satisfying interactions between children and adults; respect the rights of others; understand and accept school rules and limits; increase language and communications skills; and learn moral values.
Emotional: Develop healthy self-esteem; foster independence, develop the ability to care for self and belongings; learn appropriate expression of feelings and emotions; develop self-control, patience and understanding.
Physical: Learn healthy habits; develop coordination, strength and endurance; develop fine motor control and hand-eye coordination; and understand and follow safety rules.
Cognitive: Foster curiosity, exploration, inventiveness and creativity; develop self-motivation; experience a sense of wonder and the joy of learning; allow mistakes to be made; promote learning by discovery; develop concentration and learn to complete tasks; learn to solve problems and make decisions; and see oneself as a successful learner.
Creative: Foster and encourage individual expression through art, dance, music and language; and allow time for individual expression.