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St. Stephen of Hungary school began implementing its Early Childhood Program for Pre-Kindergarten 3 through Second Grade in 2006. This program was developed by Dr. Patricia A. Vardin, Associate Professor and Chair of the Early Childhood Education Department at Manhattanville College. Program Fundamentals:
- Grounded in the work of Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Maslow, and Gardner
- Based upon standards and best practices in early education
- Developmentally appropriate for young children
- A multi-sensory/motor/language rich approach to learning
- Committed to monitoring the progress of each individual child
Program Features:
- Learning Centers in which each area of the curriculum is represented by a center for learning (e.g., Math Center, Literary Center, Science Center, Technology Center)
- Exciting and innovative materials used to discover learning and support concept and skill development in all areas
- Dynamic range of teaching and learning techniques including individual, small and large group activities, teacher-guided instruction, discovery, exploration, inquiry, peer teaching.
- Innovative methods of monitoring children’s progress using ChildChart, a system for monitoring each child’s progress using a computer and a PalmTM hand-held device developed by Dr. Vardin and a child portfolio method for collecting and analyzing children’s work samples.
Program Goals:
- Maximize each child’s potential for optimal development and learning
- Encourage each child’s unique strengths, talents, and abilities
- Provide children with learning activities and experiences which support and encourage their needs and interests
- Help each child develop social skills and good character
- Help children respect and enjoy knowing and working with others who are similar and different from themselves
- Prepare each child to be a good citizen in a democratic society
- Establish a partnership with each child’s family
- Educate children for the world of tomorrow
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