Philosophy
The following is an excerpt from "Rigorous Academics in Preschool and Kindergarten?" by Gaye Gronlund - an article in the National Association for the Education of Young Children journal, Young Children that I feel accurately describes the philosophy we are actively modeling here at
Milestones Child Care Center.
Research shows that young children learn best through manipulation of materials and hands-on experiences, planned by knowledgeable teachers. To parents, this learning may look like play,
but it is play with purpose.
A good teacher creates a learning environment. She organizes materials so that children use them to figure things out, practice skills, and learn new concepts. Children get time to explore those materials, so that through repetition and success they develop the confidence to try more complex activities.
Good preschools and kindergartens know that pre-schoolers are wigglers and doers. To help children stay with tasks and learn important concepts and skills, teachers work with, instead of against, their individual developmental styles. A good teacher watches as a child explores materials. She asks open-ended questions that stimulate the child's thinking: "What do you think would happen if you tried...?"
She helps develop vocabulary by describing what the child is doing:
"I see you used lots of colors-red, green, blue and brown."
In high-quality preschools and kindergartens, academic learning is playful and exploratory. Children contribute their own ideas, use their own problem-solving strategies, and pursue their own interests. Teachers skillfully weave in academic goals and objectives as they build on what children can do, and challenge them to try new things. Quality teachers know that high standards are important, but they also know the nature of learning at this age, and how academics are most effectively and appropriately incorporated into preschool and kindergarten. Using play to build success does not
mean the curriculum is not academic.
It means it is what's best for pre-school children.
The following is an excerpt from "Rigorous Academics in Preschool and Kindergarten?" by Gaye Gronlund - an article in the National Association for the Education of Young Children journal, Young Children that I feel accurately describes the philosophy we are actively modeling here at
Milestones Child Care Center.
Research shows that young children learn best through manipulation of materials and hands-on experiences, planned by knowledgeable teachers. To parents, this learning may look like play,
but it is play with purpose.
A good teacher creates a learning environment. She organizes materials so that children use them to figure things out, practice skills, and learn new concepts. Children get time to explore those materials, so that through repetition and success they develop the confidence to try more complex activities.
Good preschools and kindergartens know that pre-schoolers are wigglers and doers. To help children stay with tasks and learn important concepts and skills, teachers work with, instead of against, their individual developmental styles. A good teacher watches as a child explores materials. She asks open-ended questions that stimulate the child's thinking: "What do you think would happen if you tried...?"
She helps develop vocabulary by describing what the child is doing:
"I see you used lots of colors-red, green, blue and brown."
In high-quality preschools and kindergartens, academic learning is playful and exploratory. Children contribute their own ideas, use their own problem-solving strategies, and pursue their own interests. Teachers skillfully weave in academic goals and objectives as they build on what children can do, and challenge them to try new things. Quality teachers know that high standards are important, but they also know the nature of learning at this age, and how academics are most effectively and appropriately incorporated into preschool and kindergarten. Using play to build success does not
mean the curriculum is not academic.
It means it is what's best for pre-school children.