Curriculum & ASsessment

Meeting a child where
they are developmentally

Meeting a child
where they are

At Turquist Child Enrichment Center, we use a combination of curriculums, including Conscious Discipline, Early Learning Success, and our own S.M.A.R.T. program.
Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach that provides behavior management strategies and classroom structures that teachers can use to turn everyday situations into learning opportunities. The curriculum is based on four key components: Conscious Discipline Brain State Model, Seven Powers for Conscious Adults, Creating the School Family, and Seven Skills of Discipline. This is the framework for teachers to understand the internal brain-body states that are most likely to produce certain behaviors in children and ourselves. With this awareness, educators learn to consciously manage their own thoughts and emotions so they can help children do the same. Click here to learn more about Conscious Discipline.
Early Learning Success is a curriculum developed according to best practices and early learning standards. Each of our activity plans states the developmental domain, components addressed, and why this activity is important for a child's development.

​Details about our S.M.A.R.T. curriculum can be found at the bottom of this page.
Turnquist also utilized multiple assessment approaches, including The COR Advantage Assessment, Reflection Sciences and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.

The COR Advantage Assessment, developed by HighScope Educational Research Foundation, is a whole-child assessment built on 36 items that are proven by research to best prepare children for school success. With the fewest items of any early childhood assessment and powered by Kaymbu’s user-friendly technology, COR Advantage saves teachers time, allowing them to focus on what matters most.
​Reflection Sciences focuses on strong executive function skills that help build the background for a healthy school culture of self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy, all of which are necessary to create a safe, engaging environment for students to learn. This assessment measures executive function skill level to support academic and social development.
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Ages and Stages Questionnaire
We also use the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to measure your child’s developmental and social-emotional levels from one month to 5 1/2-years-old. ASQ allows us to create a partnership with you to ensure we are the best educational team for your child. To read more about ASQ please visit agesandstages.com.

Stimulating maturity through
accelerated readiness training

During your child’s time at our center, he or she will be introduced to S.M.A.R.T., an exciting, movement-based program that stands for Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training. This multi-sensory approach to learning involves brain stimulation activities that help prepare your child learn. It develops visual, auditory, balance, fine and gross motor readiness skills, all of which are all essential for classroom and academic success.

The S.M.A.R.T. activities also improve your child’s physical fitness, strength, coordination and ability to pay attention. Once these readiness skills are in place, your child will have the foundation necessary to succeed in elementary school.

S.M.A.R.T.
Activities

During your child’s time at our center, he or she will be introduced to S.M.A.R.T., an exciting, movement-based program that stands for Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training. This multi-sensory approach to learning involves brain stimulation activities that help prepare your child learn. It develops visual, auditory, balance, fine and gross motor readiness skills, all of which are all essential for classroom and academic success.​

The S.M.A.R.T. activities also improve your child’s physical fitness, strength, coordination and ability to pay attention. Once these readiness skills are in place, your child will have the foundation necessary to succeed in elementary school.
S.M.A.R.T. activities involve a number of purposeful exercises, including:
  • Crawling 
  • Spinning 
  • Rolling 
  • Creeping 
  • Balancing 
  • Overhead Ladder
The S.M.A.R.T. activities will be integrated into the daily classroom schedule in a fun and positive way to help your child reach his or her learning potential. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

​For additional information about S.M.A.R.T., please visit the Minnesota Learning Resource Center.