Philosophy

 
Purpose
  • To provide developmentally appropriate and nurturing experiences that facilitate academic and social learning, in a play-based environment.

  • To serve as a model for early childhood pre-service educators to actively observe and participate in a classroom environment: thus, connecting theory to practice.

  • To serve the college and community by reflecting Christian and educational values that are consistent with the mission of the college.

  • To build PreK- 4th grade competencies in pre-service educators enrolled
    at GCC as articulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Vision
  • To be an exemplary early childhood program among Christian liberal arts institutions by promoting research-based and best developmental practices for the whole child and pre-service educators.

Mission

  • To enhance the process of learning for children, families, and preservice educators within the framework and context of a developmentally appropriate environment.


Classroom Guidance

Positive Guidance is the framework used for classroom management. This promotes an environment that nurtures both self-esteem and the growth of the whole child. By encouraging mutual respect and responsibility, teacher control is minimized. Each child constructs his/her own choices based on individual family values through daily classroom experiences. The emphasis is on
discovering solutions together in order to create a peaceful and caring community in a Christian context.

Positive guidance focuses on self-regulation and learning from experiences. Children who grow and learn in an atmosphere of positive guidance:

  • Learn self-control

  • Demonstrate the ability to work with others

  • Respond to limits and consequences responsibly and with flexibility

  • Learn to propose alternative behaviors

  • Understand that each individual is capable and can contribute in a meaningful way


Objectives

  • To encourage a love of learning within each child.

  • To encourage positive Christian values.

  • To encourage respect, responsibility, peace, and love.

  • To encourage questions which utilize discovery and exploration to seek answers.

  • To encourage communication for real-life purposes: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

  • To encourage communication that leads to solving problems with non-violent methods.

  • To encourage each person to contribute to a safe and caring classroom environment through positive peer and adult interactions.

  • To encourage participation in a variety of learning activities that allow for development of the whole child: socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually.

  • To encourage each child to learn as an independent and collaborative thinker.