What is your childcare philosophy? Do you use elements of one or more of the early childhood education below? Can you explain to your parents/clients what you believe in and how you teach? Is your center play-based, academic or a mixture of both?
Defining what you do and how you do it will keep you thinking about how you can grow and excel as a teacher and business owner. Here are some examples of how to write out your philosophy from NYC.org:
Program Philosophy Statement Samples
Example
1:
We at, Little Children’s Child Care
believe that our program and services offer developmentally appropriate
curriculum and we strive to enhance social, emotional, physical and
intellectual growth in young children. Our program fosters curiosity,
creativity and self-esteem by taking into account children’s abilities and
interests. Child initiated and teacher supported play is an essential component
of our program. (Used as an example on the Developing a Program Philosophy
document to align with the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIP)
Example
2:
At our Center, you step into the
wondrous world of young children where imagination and self-expression
flourish. Our teachers encourage children to use critical thinking and problem
solving skills in their daily experiences. The classroom environment is
carefully designed to reflect the children’s interests and to cultivate
positive self-image, independence, and interdependence. We foster equal
opportunity in learning and education for all children regardless of race,
creed, sex, religion, national origin, or physical condition.
Example
3:
Little Children Child Care’s education
program is grounded in traditional and well-established early childhood
educational philosophies. Therefore, our program contributes understanding that
support teacher’s in maintaining a cohesive purpose: improvement of the life
chances of culturally diverse children through formal education. We strive to
foster an ethic of social responsibility among our children and we urge
students to acquire and use all the resources of their culture that can be
implemented into our program.
Example
4:
The mission of our program is to prepare teachers who demonstrate the
commitment and capacity to reform schooling and education for all young
children’s educational needs. As educators, we believe that all children have a
right to respect, regardless of their abilities. We provide an environment that
is safe yet stimulating, and a curriculum that challenges them through
creativity, self-choice, and learning through play.
Therefore, our program supports the following philosophy about
children and their growth:
* Each child individually learns in different ways, at a
different pace, by different approaches and at different ages of maturation.
* A positive self-concept develops in children who can fulfill
their goals, accomplish tasks on their own, and cooperate with others and
receive positive feelings from others.
* Self-disciplined children can direct their efforts towards
fulfillment of their goals. Children learn self-discipline through
understanding, commitment, and reinforcement.
* Self-reliance is achieved by allowing children to do as many
things for themselves as they are capable of, but keeping in mind new skills.
Example
5:
Reggio Emilio philosophy is based on the
recognition that young children have many ways in which they can express themselves,
and that we, as educators, must tap into those ways and engage the children in
their learning.
Example
6:
We believe that children experience the
greatest growth when they feel secure and wanted. Therefore, We at Little
Children Child Care will provide a warm, caring, comfortable and safe
environment for our children. Together, we will establish routines that are
predictable and consistent. All children will be treated with gentleness,
honesty and respect. We will encourage them to treat others in this manner. Our
classrooms cultivate an unbiased atmosphere where children and parents are
encouraged to challenge their individual paradigms and subsequently see society
through a lens that celebrates diversity of thought and culture. We are
committed to children learning and believe that educators are important role
models. Therefore, we use modeling as a vital tool in our classrooms. To
maintain an atmosphere where children feel comfortable and confident, we use
constructive guidance and positive reinforcement. We feel it is also necessary
to establish and clearly define reasonable limits with logical consequences.
The children are encouraged to take ownership in shaping our classroom dynamics
through openly sharing their work, ideas and personalities which will enrich
their peers and foster their intellectual development. Little Children Child
Care advocates open communication with parents, for they ultimately play the
most vital role in their child’s intellectual development. As much as we love
to care for and guide children, we believe that parents should also be
encouraged to be active participants in their children’s education. Parents and
teacher share a common priority: providing the best that they possibly can for
the child. Working together, we believe that optimum development will be
obtained.
Example
7:
The American Montessori Society is committed to promoting quality Montessori
education for all children from birth to 18 years based on these key concepts:
* The aim of Montessori education is to foster competent, responsible, adaptive
citizens who are lifelong learners and problem solvers.
* Learning occurs in an
inquiring, cooperative, nurturing atmosphere. Students increase their own
knowledge through self- and teacher-initiated experiences.
* Learning takes
place through the senses. Students learn by manipulating materials and
interacting with others. These meaningful experiences are precursors to the
abstract understanding of ideas.
* The individual is considered as a whole. The
physical, emotional, social, aesthetic, spiritual, and cognitive needs and
interests are inseparable and equally important.
* Respect and caring attitudes
for oneself, others, the environment, and all life are necessary.
Example 8:
Marie Montessori School of the Golden Gate Philosophy: Dr. Montessori believed
that each individual human being has an innate unique talent which, when
fulfilled, is the individual's essential contribution to life and the human
community on this planet. It is their purpose in life. To discover his or her
unique talent, each child needs to be exposed to experiences pertaining to all
facets of life. To this end, Dr. Montessori designed manipulative materials for
all subject areas, activities which children experience sensorially and
interactively in a multi-age and multi-ethnic classroom setting. Freedom within
limits leads children to responsible choices, self-discipline, and
self-respect. Self-respect leads to respect for others. We are dedicated to
fulfilling the ideals of Maria Montessori, who in 1948 and 1950, earned Nobel
Peace Prize nominations for "Education for Peace."
These are some of the most popular types of ways to teach preschool in the U.S.:
Bank Street - "Development-Interaction Approach"
Creative Curriculum - "The Creative Curriculum balances both teacher-directed and child-initiated learning, with an emphasis on responding to children's learning styles and building on their strengths and interests."
High Scope - "The HighScope Curriculum emphasizes active participatory learning. Active learning means students have direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas. Children's interests and choices are at the heart of the HighScope programs."
Holistic Early Childhood Education -
Montesorri
Reggio Emilia Inspired - "Project-Based"
Waldorf Education
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