At Owl Hill Learning Academy, we are committed to fostering a love of learning among our students. We balance structured learning with play-based activities that support overall child development.
OHLA is proud to use the Starfall Curriculum which is well-rounded, research-based, and aligned with the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood.
Why do States Have Standards for Preschool Education?
States establish standards for preschool education to ensure that all young children receive a high-quality early learning experience that prepares them for kindergarten and beyond. Standards in education:
- Promote School Readiness – Ensure children develop essential skills in language, math, social-emotional development, and motor skills.
- Ensure Consistency and Quality – Provide a framework for educators to follow, reducing disparities in early education across different regions and programs.
- Support Educators – Guide teachers in designing developmentally appropriate activities and assessing children’s progress.
- Align with K-12 Education – Create a seamless transition from preschool to elementary school by aligning expectations with later learning standards.
- Encourage Equity – Help bridge gaps in learning opportunities, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Guide Curriculum Development – Assist preschools in selecting and implementing research-based teaching methods.
- Monitor and Improve Programs – Provide benchmarks for evaluating the effectiveness of early childhood education programs.
PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood
The Pennsylvania Standards for Early Childhood Pre-K ensure that children receive a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success. The Pennsylvania Department of Education identifies 8 key learning areas and a variety of sub-categories within each:
- Learning Through Play
- Constructing and Gathering Knowledge
- Organizing and Understanding Information
- Applying Knowledge
- Learning through Experience
- Social and Emotional Development
- Self-Awareness and Self-Management
- Establishing and Maintaining Relationships
- Decision-Making and Responsible Behavior
- Language and Literacy Development
- Foundational Skills
- Reading Informational Text
- Reading Literature
- Writing
- Speaking and Listening
- Mathematical Thinking and Expression
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebraic Concepts
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Data
- Probability
- Scientific Thinking and Technology
- Life Science
- Physical Science
- Earth and Space Science
- Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
- Technology and Engineering
- Social Studies Thinking
- Civics and Government – Principles and Documents of Government
- Civics and Government – Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
- Economics – Scarcity and Choice
- Economics – Functions of Government
- Economics – Income, Profit, and Wealth
- Geography – Basic Geographic Literacy
- Geography – Physical Characteristics of
- Places and Regions
- History – Historical Analysis and Skills
- Development
- Creative Thinking and Expression
- Production and Performance – Music and Movement
- Production and Performance – Dramatic and Performance Play
- Production and Performance – Visual Arts
- Historical and Cultural Context of Works in the Arts
- Critical Response to Works in the Arts
- Aesthetic Response to Works in the Arts
- Health, Wellness, and Physical Development
- Concepts of Health
- Healthful Living
- Safety and Injury Prevention
- Physical Activity – Gross Motor Coordination
- Concepts, Principles, and Strategies of Movement – Fine Motor Coordination
OHLA Classrooms Inspire Learning
See our preschool curriculum up close! We put a lot of thought, care, and intention into creating an environment where discoveries are made and imaginations are ignited. We would love to give you a tour of Owl Hill Learning Academy and show you the learning environment that nurtures our students. Call us today!