A strong, well-rounded curriculum is the foundation of a quality early childhood education. At Curious Roots, we believe that young children thrive when they are engaged in purposeful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that nurture both the heart and mind. A strong curriculum provides structure, consistency, and intentionality, ensuring that every child is supported in their academic, social, and emotional growth.
Our Literacy Curriculum: A Blended, Research-Based Approach
At Curious Roots, we believe that early literacy development should be engaging, effective, and aligned with the programs our students will encounter in elementary school. That’s why we use a thoughtfully blended approach combining Zoo-Phonics and elements of the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) Foundations program.
Our core instruction begins with Zoo-Phonics, a playful and multi-sensory curriculum that introduces letters and sounds through movement, music, and animal imagery. This hands-on approach is perfect for young learners, helping them internalize the alphabetic principle while staying active and engaged.
As students build confidence and progress, we gradually introduce components of UFLI Foundations to support our more advanced learners. This ensures that our students are not only challenged at their own level but are also familiar with the structured literacy approaches they’ll see in many of the local elementary schools.
By blending the best of both worlds—Zoo-Phonics’ playful introduction to literacy and UFLI’s research-based, structured phonics progression—our curriculum meets students where they are and prepares them to thrive as confident, capable readers.
Our Math & Pre-Academics Curriculum: Laying the Foundations for Lifelong Learning
At Curious Roots, we believe early academic skills grow best through play, discovery, and connection. Our math and pre-academics curriculum introduces children to numbers, shapes, colors, and name recognition through hands-on experiences that are meaningful and engaging.
Through sorting, counting, matching, building, and sensory-rich play, children develop number sense, pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and early problem-solving skills. We explore colors and shapes through art, games, and movement—helping children see patterns and relationships in the world around them.
Name recognition is woven into daily routines to build a strong sense of identity, community, and early literacy readiness. Our child-centered approach ensures each learner builds a confident foundation in essential skills, all while having fun and feeling successful.
At Curious Roots, we're not just teaching facts—we're nurturing thinkers, creators, and curious explorers ready for the next step.
Our Movement Curriculum: Building Strong Bodies and Bright Minds
At Curious Roots, we know that learning doesn’t just happen at a desk—it starts with the body. Our movement curriculum is designed to support the whole child by combining hands-on activities, gross and fine motor skill development, and purposeful play to strengthen both mind and body.
Through guided movement sessions, obstacle courses, creative games, and active exploration, children build the physical coordination and core strength that are essential for classroom readiness. But it’s more than just physical development—our activities also promote self-regulation, focus, cooperation, and confidence, laying a strong foundation for both academic and social success.
By weaving together motor skill development, social-emotional growth, and brain-based learning strategies, our movement program helps prepare students not only to sit, focus, and learn—but to love learning.