Just want to share what I’ve written last Feb. 25, 2008.
This is about our study and observation on
a particular school praticing
Developmentally-Appropriate Practice.
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On March 3, together with my other 2 groupmates, we will be presenting all the info we have gathered and all that we have observed from Smart Steps Learning Center. We will be basing our evaluation of their curriculum in reference to the position statement of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) on the Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). (FYI, NAEYC promotes excellence in early childhood education from birth through age eight. They’ve been there for almost 80 years.)
The center’s curriculum lies on the premise that everything stems from the child. They believe that each child is unique that has her/his own prior knowledge. They also consider each child’s family, socio-cultural , religion, race etc. background. This statement is in line with NAEYC’s statement.
As I have observed, Teacher Kitten (Kristine Goco) who gained an extensive educational background in early childhood education (with masters degree at Wheelock College, Boston, MA) is very sensitive and attentive to each child. She talks a lot with them and made sure that every conversation is a part of their learning experience. And that’s what is meant with progressivism!
On the other hand, while the center prepares children for the usual traditional schools that we have around they are in a way (as we think) deviates from what NAEYC has stated. Their program instills necessary skills needed for academic excellence. Children would somehow get to see the tip of the rigid and structured traditional environment. According to NAEYC, curriculum expectations in the early years of schooling sometimes are not appropriate for the age groups served. When next-grade expectations of mastery of basic skills are routinely pushed down to the previous grade and whole group and teacher-led instruction is the dominant teaching strategy, children who cannot sit still and attend to teacher lectures or who are bored and unchallenged or frustrated by doing workbook pages for long periods of time are mislabeled as immature, disruptive, or unready for school.
Personally, without being too strict on the NAEYC, I was really impressed about their curriculum as well as for the teachers who have an extensive teaching experience and educational background (here and abroad) on the early childhood education. The teachers are passionate about what they do and they are really nurturing teachers which children need. I was even marketing the center to Chris and even to my sister-in-law because I really like the center for our children.
For more info about this preschool, please visit www.preschoolchoices.com/smartsteps
