Our school uses the HighScope Approach to early childhood education. We believe that best way to get children interested in what they are learning is to make the learning ACTIVE! Here are the key ingredients for active learning. For more information, please visit the HighScope Approach:

 

1. Materials 
The materials can be used in many ways, and are open-ended.  The materials include natural and found materials, practical objects, large and small objects.  In order to really understand the materials, the children will need time and space to use them.

 

2. Manipulation
The activity should use as many senses as possible.  The children should have the opportunity to combine and transform materials.

 

3. Choice
The children should have the opportunity to participate in activities that grow from their personal interests.  (The children will WANT to participate, if they are interested in what they are being exposed to in the classroom.)

 

4. Language From the Children
The children should be able to describe what they are doing, so they can realize that they are indeed learning.  They should be given the opportunity to talk about their experiences.

 

5. Support From Adults
The adults should use adult-child interaction strategies and form partnerships with the children.  The adults should help the children understand where they are developmentally.  They should also use the materials that the children are using in the same way, and ask the children about their intentions with the material.