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Philosophy

Parish-Based Early Childhood Programs maintain the following beliefs:

• The early childhood program should be planned to stimulate the balanced growth of the child in the following areas: spiritual, social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development
• Each child has a unique rate of development which should not be hurried or forced. Rates of development and ability are to be expected, valued and accepted.
• Play is an important part of the early childhood learning experience and should be reflected in the daily routine. Children learn by doing, examining, investigating, exploring, and manipulating. Questioning and problem solving are valued in this environment.
• Young children learn best through self-selected, hands-on experiences and active participation with a culturally diverse environment of persons and materials. Making choices is crucial to brain development and to the learning process.
• Intellectual development should be approached in a developmental manner with emphasis being placed on process, rather than product. Language stimulation is an integral part of all experiences provided in the program.
• Positive guidance and discipline in an early childhood classroom should include firm, consistent procedures and individual and group problem-solving which encourages children to move towards independence, self-discipline, and responsibility.
• Families are an important part of children’s lives and should be actively involved in their child’s education.
• The mission, goals and philosophy, as well as policies and procedures of the Office of Parish-Based Early Childhood Program are consistent with the practices of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).