GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Moss Street staff have chosen to emphasize the following components, and these are evident in the curriculum.

We strive to teach self-care skills from potty-training to tying shoes, social interaction skills, language skills, learning skills and development of empathy and understanding. These are all key parts of the child’s growth toward becoming an autonomous, compassionate, competent and caring individual.

Play is fundamental. What adults consider play is often the learning laboratory where children explore roles and relationships and "play" with notions, concepts and ideas. Each child is a scientist and explorer. The role of the teacher is to facilitate the further development of each child’s curiosity and help expand his/her interest in learning .

Social skills are learned skills. Learning to share and function cooperatively is a result of both developmental growth and experiences. Moss Street teachers function as facilitators to help children solve conflicts verbally, through guided problem solving and cooperative effort.

 

 

Curriculum focuses on celebrating and exploring the diversity of the community and the larger world.  We include and cherish all children with varied abilities and challenges. All children have the right to be included and equal members of the group.

Children’s increasing ability to participate in selecting their own activities is encouraged. Times are set aside for children to choose freely from available activities. Children’s initiative and interests are key factors in planning on-going projects.

Foundations for learning are emphasized rather than specific facts and concepts. Basic understandings and processes for exploration are encouraged and developed. Children learn best by doing. Direct experiences with materials and situations are much more valuable learning tools than abstract approaches.

Activities need to be developmentally appropriate. A balance between challenges and successes maximizes children’s growth.

Parents are children’s primary teachers. The role of a professional educator is to support parents in assisting each child in achieving his/her full potential.