From Play to Purpose: How Celebree School of Wayne Uses the Seven Domains of Learning To Nurture the Whole Child
Through the Seven Domains of Learning, Celebree School of Wayne supports whole-child development from the very start.
High-quality, early childhood education goes beyond letters and numbers. It starts with intention, purpose, and thoughtful planning that supports the whole child. At Celebree School of Wayne, this philosophy comes to life through the Seven Domains of Learning, a research-based framework developed by the Maryland State Department of Educationโs Division of Early Childhood.
By intentionally integrating these domains into daily routines through the Creative Curriculumยฎ, Celebreeโs educators create meaningful learning experiences that prepare children for kindergarten while nurturing curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Personal and Social Development
Rather than traditional circle time, Celebree School of Wayne begins each day with a morning meeting. During this time, children share well wishes for classmates who are absent, helping them build empathy, compassion, and strong social-emotional skills. This intentional practice supports emotional awareness and positive peer relationships in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Scientific Thinking
Children are born curious, and Celebree educators nurture that curiosity through thoughtful, open-ended questions woven throughout the day. Preschool classrooms also introduce a daily โquestion of the dayโ during morning meetings, encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking, and active engagement with new ideas.
Language and Literacy
Celebree designs their classrooms to immerse children in a rich printed language environment. Words label everyday objects throughout the room, helping children make connections between spoken and written language. In Pre-K classrooms, sight words are intentionally incorporated to build early literacy skills and support kindergarten readiness.
Social Studies
Social studies at Celebree looks different than it does in elementary school. Instead of focusing on history or geography, young learners explore the social world around them. Beginning in toddler classrooms, children are introduced to diversity and inclusion through toys, books, and materials that reflect different cultures, families, and ways of life.
The Arts
Celebree School of Wayne emphasizes process art, allowing children to focus on creativity and self-expression rather than a final product. Children are encouraged to explore materials freely and express their ideas and emotions through art. The school displays children’s work throughout the classroom, reinforcing confidence and a strong sense of belonging.
Physical Development
Celebree intentionally supports physical development from infancy through preschool. Infants engage in tummy time and sensory exploration, while older children build gross motor skills through movement-based activities indoors and outdoors. These experiences help strengthen coordination, balance, and overall physical confidence.
Mathematical Thinking
Hands-on exploration nurtures early math skills. Celebree encourages children to think about numbers, patterns, and relationships using manipulatives in dedicated math centers. These activities support problem-solving and foundational mathematical understanding in a developmentally appropriate way.
A Well-Rounded Approach to Early Childhood Education
At Celebree School of Wayne, learning is designed to support the whole child. By intentionally incorporating the Seven Domains of Learning, educators ensure a balanced, meaningful approach that supports academic growth while nurturing social, emotional, physical, and creative development. This well-rounded foundation helps children thrive in school โ and beyond.
Photos courtesy of Celebree School of Wayne, as seen in the Early Childhood Education Guide.
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