DAIS believes in play-based learning environments. Play-based environments mean children learn through activity centers, guided play, and independent play. With small class sizes and the knowledge that children develop at different rates, personalized instruction is geared toward meeting the individual needs of students.

In PreK, Language Arts focuses on letter identification, letter formation, sounds, and developing vocabulary. The Math emphasis is on oral counting, one-to-one correspondence, writing numbers, sorting, graphing, and math games. Science is done through hands-on explorations of the world around them and problem-solving real-world issues. Beyond expected core subjects, the main emphasis for PreK is social-emotional development. Students learn empathy, emotion management, friendship skills, and problem-solving, as they transition into Kindergarten. 

The Kindergarten at DAIS builds upon and expands the skills learned in PreK. In Kindergarten, Language Arts focuses on reading and writing development. Students learn strategies to help them become lifelong readers, writers, and speakers using a balanced literacy approach. The Math emphasis is on problem-solving, utilizing numbers and shapes in a variety of contexts, graphing, and sorting more complex problems. Students are introduced to science and engineering practices through the NGSS curriculum.

Throughout the year the Early Childhood students at DAIS show off their learning in student-led conferences, showcases, and assemblies. The students have ownership of their learning and excitedly share it with the community.