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Early Learning Center Philosophy and Curriculum

The Early Learning Center is built upon the belief that learning is an active process and knowledge is constructed by the child through "hands-on" experiences.  A rich learning environment, one deliberately designed with much to explore and discover, is essential in helping young children learn basic skills. Therefore, the classrooms, gym, playgrounds and curriculum are set up to facilitate child-initiated, child-directed, and teacher-supported play.

The ELC teachers have been inspired by the work of the preschool educators of the Reggio Emilia, Italy. The infant, toddler and preschool programs in Reggio are known world-wide for their rich learning environments, thoughtful and meaningful documentation panels, respectful interactions with children, and strong and sincere relationships with parents.

Based on the research of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the teachers make hypotheses about what direction activities and projects might take;consequently, they make appropriate preparations. After observing the children during play, the teachers compare, discuss, and interpret together their observations and facilitate the children's learning based on these findings. In fact, the curriculum emerges in the process of each activity or project and is flexibly adjusted accordingly through this continuous dialogue among teachers and children.  Projects can last from a few days to several months. They may start either from a chance event, an idea or a problem posed by one or more children, or an experience initiated directly by teachers.

High value is placed on children's words and ideas,
as well as their play.Transcriptions of children's remarks
and discussions, photographs of their activities
and representations of their thinking and learning
using many media are displayed to document
their work.  This documentation has several functions.
Among these are to make children aware that their
effort is valued; make parents and other adults
aware of the children's experiences; and to allow
teachers to understand children better and to
evaluate the teacher's own work.

Updated 4/4/07