HighScope curriculum provides framework for hands-on learning
This summer, students in the Avondale Early Learning Center (ELC) program will have a chance to enjoy sports, drama, music and nature while participating in activities based upon the HighScope curriculum and approach. “Using the HighScope curriculum, we developed our summer calendar with lots of hands-on, fun, and educational activities as well as several in-house field trips,” said Program Director, Hillary Olance.
Educator, Donna Pierce with students Carson Wloch and Gage Olance
Olance, who has been an Early Childhood educator and advocate for more than ten years, likes the HighScope curriculum’s emphasis on supporting children at their developmental level and then helping them build to the next. “It’s important — especially when working with preschoolers — to recognize that they are each on their own developmental path. HighScope is an approach that allows the staff to create lessons where everyone can achieve success. It’s also an opportunity for the students to develop ownership for their educational growth, as the curriculum provides the students with choice.”
Choice is a large component of HighScope as the curriculum developers stress that early progress in the learning process is made when children are permitted and encouraged to make choices and then follow through on their plans and decisions. Additionally, the developers base much of the curriculum on the idea that children need to have opportunity to construct their own knowledge through interactions with the world around them. Olance incorporates both of these ideas into Avondale’s Early Learning programs. “Hands-on activities are a great way to create an environment for the children to have choice and to have meaningful interactions with staff, their peers, and even with objects. All of our activities are designed to provide opportunities for them to build their knowledge base through those interactions. We also incorporate a variety of content so that the children can explore different interests they may have,” she added.
Some of the activities planned for this summer include cooking; arts and crafts projects; music, science and nature explorations; and physical activities like ping pong, balloon tennis, and stretch and grow gymnastics along with field day and water day.
The Avondale School District Early Learning Center is for children ages 3 to 5 and is open to district and non-district residents. To learn more, contact Hillary Olance at 248-537-6049.
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