Overview | Language Arts | Math | Social Studies | Science | Art | Blocks

The Early Childhood Center values the process of learning and emphasizes hands-on learning experiences for children ages 3-5. We support and promote each child’s social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development. The core of the ECC program is based on The Bank Street College of Education’s philosophy that states, “…in order for children to learn in school and to become lifelong learners, they must interact with their environment (people, places, and things) and interpret their experience” (Bank Street Curriculum Guide, p. 1).

Children are active learners in the ECC. We believe that children learn best when provided with opportunities to re-create experiences and when given the opportunity to use all five senses. Play within a specially prepared and enriched environment encourages growth in problem solving, language development, emotional expression, and cognitive abilities. The classroom provides children with areas for learning and exploration called centers.

The centers in the classroom include blocks, water/sand table, art, writing, dramatic play, library, science, math, woodworking, and cooking. The classroom centers are rich with materials that offer opportunities to refine skills, to explore a new concept or idea, to play with peers or to foster independence, to use senses, and to role-play. In addition, centers require children to make choices and to become responsible with materials.

We present themes to children through literature and discussion. Whenever possible, we connect a topic to various areas of learning. Linking a topic to science, literature, math, and art makes a stronger impression upon the learner.

Our day is divided into segments of time. A typical day includes Arrival Time, Morning Meeting, Center Time, Snack, Clean Up Time, Gym, French or Music, Recess, Lunch, Story, Rest, and Work Time. It is during Meetings, Center Time and Work Time that teachers cue in on a child’s individual interests and abilities. We gather as a whole group many times throughout the day for discussion, concept introduction, music, literature, exploration, and problem solving. Teachers also work with small groups and individually with the children to adapt lessons to their developmental levels. The children gain responsibility and feel classroom ownership through daily jobs and expectations for keeping our room orderly and clean.