Learning information in meaningful context is not only essential for a child’s understanding and the development of concepts, but is also critically important for stimulating self-motivation in children.

Young children need basic understanding and skills to make their experiences more meaningful. Through play with various, diversified and similar items children are able to classify, sort, count and so on.

Children learn language through daily fun experiences, through the five senses, and through listening and talking to other children and adults. Staff can help children learn language by speaking to them continually about whatever they are experiencing at the time (what is happening while it is happening) and by telling them the words they need to understand their experiences.

Children’s ability to learn is directly related to their use of language effectively. Children should be given every opportunity to express what they need and what they think. Conversations and questions should encourage thinking and require more than a simple answer from older children.
Our program encourages and fosters the development of creativity. Children are full of wonder and excitement; they are eager to explore, experiment, test, touch, and experience.

Encouraging children to discover and use their natural curiosity fosters the development of their creativity. Curriculum and lessons should enhance the development of children’s creativity.

Children develop a more complete understanding of the world around them through physical awareness. Gross motor skills develop first, making movement the basis for all learning in the earliest months and years. Children use and develop gross motor skills while crawling, walking, jumping,
climbing, sliding, throwing a ball, etc. Children also gain a sense of control and self-confidence by using these new skills.

Self-help skills, such as dressing, toileting, washing and eating are among the more important skills young children acquire, encouraging and allowing children to become more independent and self-confident. Our program encourages children to acquire a sense of independence by giving them
numerous opportunities to develop self-help, as well as many other skills.

Children should have daily opportunities for aesthetic expression and appreciation through art and music. Children experiment with and enjoy many forms of music. A variety of art media should be available for creative expression.

Fine motor skills help children develop small muscle control as they mature. When they learn to use their hands in coordination with their eyes, they are able to learn about the world around them by reaching, grasping and holding, as well as letting go. These skills aid in later success with learning to
read and write.

Social development is an important part of every child’s maturation process. These skills are developed during daily interaction with staff and other children. Children learn what behavior is socially acceptable by example and instruction. They should learn to take turns, to share equipment
and gain the attention of adults in a loving, understanding environment.

Self-esteem, independence, and good manners are strengths and qualities every child needs.
Encouragement, support, love and respect strengthen confidence and build self-esteem.

Staff should facilitate the development of self-control by using positive guidance techniques such as modeling and encouraging expected and desirable behavior, redirecting children to a more acceptable activity, and by setting clear limits.  The staff’s expectations should match and respect children’s
developing capabilities.

A quality program works in partnership with parents and families, communicating regularly to build mutual understanding and greater consistency for children.

Each child is unique. A quality program recognizes the individual needs of children while providing an environment full of stimulating, as well as challenging materials, and activities for all children. Skilled staff observes the children to see how much and what they understand and then construct additional experiences and challenges to expand the children’s thinking even further.