Fostering Independence
At Creekside Learning Academy, we believe independence is nurtured at every stage of growth. Each age group offers opportunities for children to practice age-appropriate independent skills—whether that means holding a bottle, putting toys away, zipping a jacket, or solving problems with friends. While we treasure the sweetness of childhood and encourage children to enjoy being little, we also celebrate the pride and confidence that comes when they learn to do things on their own, in their own time. By balancing gentle guidance with opportunities to explore independence, we help children grow into confident, capable individuals who are ready for each new stage of life.
Infant Classrooms
Age Group: 8 weeks – 12 months
Faith & Grace Rooms
Our infant program is designed to nurture babies through their first year of life, providing a secure and loving environment where trust and comfort come first. In the earliest months, little ones begin building social-emotional connections through bonding and responding to familiar voices and faces. Gross motor skills emerge with tummy time, rolling over, and holding their heads up, later progressing to sitting independently, crawling, and pulling up.
Fine motor development grows as babies explore textures, grasp and transfer objects, and begin pointing with intention. Early communication skills blossom through cooing, smiling, and babbling, eventually leading to name recognition and imitating sounds. Each milestone is celebrated as infants grow from the Faith Room (8 weeks–6 months) into the Grace Room (6–12 months), ensuring a smooth transition that supports their development every step of the way.
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Age Group: 12 – 18 months
Roots Room
Toddlers begin to explore independence while still relying on nurturing support. Social-emotional skills develop as they practice parallel play, begin showing empathy, and test boundaries. Gross motor skills include walking confidently, climbing, and beginning to run. Fine motor abilities grow as toddlers stack blocks, use spoons, and attempt simple scribbles. Communication advances with an expanding vocabulary, two-word phrases, and the ability to follow simple directions.
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Age Group: 18 – 24 months
Joy Room
At this stage, children begin to form stronger friendships and show a desire for independence. Social-emotional skills include learning to share, taking turns, and expressing a wider range of feelings. Gross motor development includes running, jumping, and kicking balls with more control. Fine motor skills progress with drawing simple shapes, stringing beads, and beginning to use scissors. Communication grows into short sentences, asking questions, and expressing needs more clearly.
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Age Group: 24 – 36 months
Wonder Room
Two-year-olds thrive in consistent routines that foster independence and cooperation. Social-emotional growth includes learning to manage big feelings, practicing early empathy, and beginning to play alongside or with peers in simple imaginative play. Gross motor milestones include climbing with confidence, running with coordination, pedaling riding toys or tricycles, and kicking or throwing balls. Fine motor skills develop through stacking blocks, completing simple puzzles, drawing basic shapes, and beginning to use tools like crayons and paintbrushes with control. Communication blossoms as children use two- to three-word sentences, ask simple questions, and share their needs, wants, and ideas with caregivers and friends.
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Age Group: 3 - 4 years
Harvest Room
Preschoolers in the Roots Room are rooted in community as they deepen their sense of identity through stories, culture, and connection to place. Social-emotional growth includes building friendships, practicing cooperation, showing empathy, and gaining confidence as part of a group. Gross motor skills develop through running, climbing, balancing, hopping, and throwing or kicking balls with increasing control. Fine motor development expands as children use writing tools with greater precision, cut with scissors, build with smaller blocks, and explore art through painting, gluing, and creating. Communication blossoms as preschoolers retell familiar stories, ask and answer questions, and engage in conversations with peers and teachers using complete sentences.
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Age Group: 4 - 5 years
Shine Room
Our 4 and 5 year old classroom prepares children for kindergarten by strengthening emotional regulation, cooperation, and leadership skills. Social-emotional readiness includes confidence in group settings, problem-solving with peers, and showing responsibility for personal belongings. Gross motor abilities include skipping, galloping, and balancing confidently. Fine motor readiness develops through writing names, cutting along lines with accuracy, and drawing recognizable pictures. Communication continues to grow as children use descriptive language, retell stories, and engage in conversations with increasing detail.
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Age Group: 5 years
Bridge-K
Children in this group are those who turn five after the Arkansas kindergarten cutoff date (August 1). Social-emotional development focuses on leadership, independence, and responsibility. Gross motor skills include hopping, skipping, and engaging in team games. Fine motor skills are refined through writing letters and numbers with accuracy, building complex block structures, and completing detailed art projects. Communication growth includes expressing ideas clearly, using descriptive vocabulary, and engaging in group discussions with confidence.
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Summers at Creekside
Our summer program at Creekside Learning Academy is designed to keep children engaged, learning, and having fun all summer long. Through weekly themes, hands-on activities, and creative play, children explore new ideas while building friendships and growing in confidence. Each week offers opportunities for art, music, science, outdoor play, and faith-based lessons that encourage curiosity and joy. The program provides a safe, nurturing environment for children to continue their learning journey throughout the summer months
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