3.1 Our Philosophy & Approach to Developing the Whole Child

Our Philosophy and Approach Developing the Whole Child

All children come to early education with different backgrounds, cultures, families, and experiences. Some children may have spent a year or more in high-quality preschool programs, while for others, this is their first day in a classroom and maybe even their first time away from their family. Children may arrive from stable and comfortable backgrounds or may have experienced immigration, homelessness, hunger, or housing instability. Some children in class may be only children who are used to interacting with adults but are overwhelmed by large groups of children, while other children may be accustomed to leading a band of siblings and cousins at home. 

 Teaching the whole child means recognizing and valuing each child’s unique contributions to the classroom. Some techniques that will help you serve your diverse learners include differentiated instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma-informed practices.