Our Program... We give "play" a brand new meaning.

Our Philosophy is that children learn by doing.  Therefore, we provide a hands-on learning environment that allows children the opportunity to manipulate, explore and learn.  We do this by setting up our classrooms in a "learning center" fashion where the children can go to a shelf and choose an activity that is appealing to them.  All curriculum areas are accounted for and the materials on the shelves have been carefully planned for by the teachers to be inviting for the children in their classroom.

The teachers use a developmental assessment as their guide as they write their lesson plans.  This assessment is used in conjunction with the general theme for the week and the children's interests to ensure the activities are developmentally appropriate yet challenging and engaging for the children.  As educators we know that children develop at their highest capacity when they are actively involved;  touching, seeing, hearing, tasting, and smelling.  Through active involvement, children learn to test, retest, question, hypthothesize, cooperate and share.  They gain independence and they develop problem solving skills.

Social interaction, one of the most important areas of development, is fostered through open-ended opportunities that are availabe in a child-centered classroom.  Through the use of "learning centers" children not only actively engage with the materials, but they also engage with other children and teachers around them.  They learn that words have more power than fighting and hitting.  Children are able to test and determine which behaviors are acceptable and which are not.

At Harvard Park, we believe that the opportunities to develop all of these skills are the most important gifts we can give children.  We know that our interactions whether it be a hug to offer reassurance and support, or presenting a new materials to develop a new skill, are all critical to the success of each child.  We know that hands-on/ child centered  "play" is your child's "work"!