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Celebrating 75 Years of Christian Education

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Learning in the ECC

By Becky Zaro, Head of the Early Childhood Center

Young children are naturally curious and want to explore the world around them. The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is a joyful place, buzzing with exploration, conversation, and laughter. As they enter the hallway, they are greeted with so many exciting things to take in. You may hear the children’s joy when they find a new little animal or insect hidden in the beautiful mural on the walls. Our “play commons” provide spaces for the children to engage in hands-on or imaginative learning. The grocery store, kitchen, and cafe are a favorite! Each early childhood classroom is a bright and cheerful place. Our teachers are warm and engaging with each student as they arrive.

Learning Spaces

Each classroom has a door that leads onto a patio. These spaces have become an extension of the classroom and have provided extra space for art projects, lunch on a sunny day, or riding tricycles. Our beautiful expansive campus provides a natural backdrop for curiosity to be peaked. The children spend lots of time outdoors exploring and learning about God’s beautiful creation.

Learning centers allow the children opportunities to engage and explore. The teachers are very intentional about providing free play centers as well as academic centers. At this young age we know children learn best through play so we honor that by giving unstructured time throughout the day. It is also during this time that the children are developing their social and emotional skills. Being part of a group, conflict resolution, and self-control are some of the skills we are working on in the ECC. The teachers come alongside the students to help facilitate growth in this area. Structured learning time such as Bible and whole group lessons promote community and cooperation. 

The Importance of Play

Play is such an integral part of learning for young children. Research shows, for children, play is important work which helps them develop foundational skills in all domains of early childhood development. Play promotes cognitive growth by encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Pretend play (e.g., role-playing, make-believe scenarios) enhances executive function and self-regulation abilities in young children (Berk and Meyers, 2013). Play provides opportunities for language exploration and development. Through play, children engage in conversations, expand their vocabulary, and practice communication skills. Play-based activities significantly contribute to language acquisition and literacy skills (Toub et al., 2018). Play allows children to navigate social interactions, develop empathy, and practice emotional regulation. Play helps children develop social competence, resilience, and self-esteem (Ginsburg, 2007). Active play, such as running, jumping, and climbing, supports the development of gross motor skills, coordination, and strength. Active play contributes to the overall physical well-being and healthy growth of children (NASPE, 2009). Play nurtures creativity and imagination, allowing children to explore various roles, scenarios, and problem-solving strategies. Imaginative play enhances divergent thinking and creative expression (Russ and Wallace, 2013).

Biblical Perspective

All we teach and learn is rooted in Christ. The children are engaged in daily Bible lessons and weekly Chapels. Through the stories of the Bible, seeds of God's love are planted in these young hearts. Sensory experiences with praise and worship, singing, dancing, arts and crafts, and group learning reinforce Bible lessons in an engaging and exciting way. 

God clearly describes four areas of a child’s development in the Bible when we learn about how Jesus grew. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” The purpose of the Early Childhood Center is to support the development of young children in these four areas, building a steadfast foundation from which they grow.
 
Jesus grew in wisdom: cognitive/intellectual
Jesus grew in stature: physical
Jesus grew in favor with God: spiritual
Jesus grew in favor with man: social/emotional

God made each of us to be active learners. Children are able to construct knowledge through the use of their senses and interacting with the world around them. In early childhood education, we nurture children’s cognitive, language, social, physical, emotional, creative, and spiritual development, building a steadfast foundation for the formal learning experiences ahead. 
 

References:
Berk, L. E., & Meyers, A. B. (2013). The Role of Play in the Development of Executive Function. American Journal of Play, 6(1), 98–110.
Tamara Spiewak Toub, Brenna Hassinger-Das, Kimberly Turner Nesbitt, Hande Ilgaz, Deena Skolnick Weisberg, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ageliki Nicolopoulou, David K. Dickinson, The language of play: Developing preschool vocabulary through play following shared book-reading, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Volume 45, 2018,
Pages 1-17
Kenneth R. Ginsburg, and the Committee on Communications, and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds. Pediatrics January 2007; 119 (1): 182–191. 10.1542/peds.2006-2697
National Association for Sport and Physical Education, NASPE (2009). Active Start: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children from Birth to Age 5 (2nd ed.). Sewickley, PA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
Russ, S. W., & Wallace, C. E. (2013). Pretend Play and Creative Processes. American Journal of Play, 6(1), 136–148.