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Early Childhood Program

Children learn in many ways: through observation, interaction, play, real-life experiences and teacher-initiated activities. Play is the fundamental process for young children's learning and is central to any early childhood program. It is a natural activity for children, one through which they make meaning of the world around them. Play involves pleasure, enjoyment, free choices, spontaneity and active engagement. Play facilitates all development and is a means for initiating, supporting and continuing learning. It enables children to determine their own course of events and discoveries with the support of adults and peers.

The ECP environment is organized with centers providing a basis for learning through individual, small group, or whole group experience. Exploring and discovering with water, sand, blocks, art, drama, music, technology, mathematics and literature support children in developing basic concepts and understandings. Teachers implement a balanced curriculum which integrates language, literacy, social, emotional, physical and intellectual/cognitive development.

Learning Principles

Taking into account the knowledge of human growth and development, the work of our teachers is guided by the following principles:

• Children learn as total persons: emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually.
• Children go through similar stages of development, but at individual rates.
• Children learn through their senses: hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, and smelling.
• Children learn through active involvement: exploring, playing, manipulating, and problem-solving.
• Children learn through attitudes and examples, as well as through content.
• Children learn through experiences. It is through play that children create their own meaning and learning schemes. Play is the work of children.

(Adopted from the Mississippi Early Childhood Framework 2004)

Developmental Areas
Social and Emotional Development	more details ›
Language and Literacy Development	more details ›
Physical Development	more details ›
Cognitive Development	more details ›
Self Help and Learning Skills	more details ›