As the back-to-school season approaches, families with preschoolers are increasingly looking beyond traditional academic outcomes when selecting early learning programs. They seek environments that build foundational skills supporting future learning and development, according to a recent announcement from The Crème School, a premium provider of early learning programs.
Researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education describe six foundational skills—creativity, critical thinking, curiosity, self-regulation, perspective-taking and early identity—as essential building blocks for lifelong learning and healthy development. These skills are often strengthened through enrichment experiences that encourage young children to explore, create, communicate and solve problems.
The Crème School addresses this need by building enrichment directly into the daily schedule for children ages two through five. Alongside a research-led core curriculum, children participate in four daily, 30-minute enrichment experiences in dedicated classrooms covering STEM, Spanish, music and art. These enrichments extend classroom learning by giving children additional opportunities to build and apply new skills through engaging, hands-on experiences guided by their own research-based curricula.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) encourages children to ask questions, investigate, experiment and solve problems through hands-on exploration, nurturing curiosity and critical thinking. Research shows that early, inquiry-based experiences lay the foundation for later scientific thinking, problem-solving and innovation.
Music engages children in singing, movement, rhythm and instrument play, supporting creativity while strengthening memory and attention. It has been linked to improvements in early language skills and executive functioning. Visual arts encourage children to create, experiment and express themselves through drawing, painting, sculpting and other open-ended experiences, developing creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities and confidence.
Spanish introduces children to a second language during a key developmental window, helping build communication skills. Research suggests that children exposed to multiple languages can develop stronger perspective-taking and communication abilities, skills that support learning and social development.
“Our enrichment classes do more than expose children to new subjects,” said Stephanie Sturdevant-Ward, vice president of operations for The Crème Schools. “They help develop the habits that support learning throughout life, such as asking questions, working through challenges, collaborating with others and approaching problems with curiosity and confidence.”
As families consider school choices for their young learners, it’s worth asking not only what children will learn, but how they’ll learn it. When enrichment is woven into the daily curriculum, as it is at Crème, children have more opportunities to grow curiosity, creativity and the foundational skills that support future learning and development.
