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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The Education Component strives for the creation of secure, friendly learning environments for children enrolled in the Head Start/Early Head Start Program. Children are explorers, eager to move about and playfully interact with their surroundings. They learn best by manipulating and investigating the world around them through the use of their five senses.

Piaget's theory of cognitive development, Montessori's respect of children, Dewey's discovery learning and Similansky's play stages,

Dr. Lilian Katz, Sylvia Chard and Judy Helm’s Project Approach, Head Start Federal Outcome Framework as well as the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards, served as guideposts for planning our developmentally and individually appropriate program.

Project-Based Curriculum for Head Start and Creative Curriculum for Early Head Start is the framework for learning. The concepts embrace the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and are consistent with developmentally appropriate principles. As children learn best through play, a block of time is devoted to play. We believe that play is a non-threatening learning strategy that allows children to explore in the stimulating environment planned by experienced teaching staff.

Exposure to experiences with a wide variety of physical, cognitive, social and emotional concepts will provide the necessary skills for success in life. Building kindergarten readiness in children is emphasized, rather than rote teaching of letters and numbers. Our ultimate goal is that children leave Head Start with positive learning experiences and high self-esteem.

Transitioning to Kindergarten

Teachers play an important role in involving children in the transition process, thereby helping parents become their child’s advocate in the transition process. The Education Consultant maintains on-going communication and cooperation between Head Start and the local public schools involving Head Start families in the transition process.

Below are some examples of the Agency's efforts to prepare children for kindergarten:

• Family Development Consultant plans parent education programming at parent meetings to inform parents on child development topics and kindergarten readiness skills. Family
• Support Specialists discuss childcare options with working parents providing information and referrals to appropriate after school programs.
• Family Support Specialists provide parents with the local school district registration dates.
• Site Supervisors invite public school representatives to attend monthly parent meetings to discuss the kindergarten program.
• Site Supervisors distribute kindergarten readiness materials and activities for parents and children to do in the summer during the Month of May.   

We encourage creativity, developmentally and individually appropriate curriculum and a commitment to working together with parents to help their child grow as a unique individual.