We believe in empowering children
with child-centered, interest driven curriculum. We strive to create
meaningful, developmentally appropriate activities that reach a child's social,
emotional, and intellectual development. It is not enough to demonstrate
the right answers but to guide for deeper understanding. We search for
ways of being with young children, facilitating their learning and exploration
rather than directing or doing for the children. We provide hands-on classrooms
that encourage learning and create opportunities to foster growth and
excitement in the learning process.
In the classroom, we use three
basic formats: exploration, circle time, and some teacher directed activities.
During exploration, children have
free choice of activities. When children are allowed to make their own
choices it helps gain confidence in their ability to make decisions and take
responsibility to do so.
Circle time can incorporate a
variety of shared activities. The class may meet to discuss and reflect
on new ideas, work can be shared and new topics introduced. Activities
may include singing together, listening to stories or participating in a shared
reading or writing activity.
Activities initiated by the
teacher may include the suggestion that all children pursue the same
investigation or they may choose from a number of designated tasks. The
children often can choose to work alone, with a partner or in a small group.
They are also encouraged to choose the materials they wish.
Together these types of
activities provide a balance of child-initiated play and structures
investigation.
We also incorporate science,
music, cooking, and outdoor play into our curriculum.
In addition to creating an
appropriate physical and child-centered environment, it is important to create
a joyful and playful environment that supports the child's seriousness of
learning and their expectations that their attempts and partial successes will
be celebrated and will lead to further success. A child's emotional
involvement, often shown through joyfulness, is an important part of a child's
success. Emotion drives attention, which drives learning and memory and
then creates a positive environment for learning for the future.
"Your child is unique.
Each child's learning and growth rates differ from other children the
same age."