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Early Childhood Education
Our educational approach is based on the understanding that personality
development during the first five years of life provides the foundation for
all later abilities to learn, work, and form healthy relationships. The
parent-child relationship is central to this development, as the child
gradually moves from complete dependency during infancy to becoming a
separate, relatively independent person ready to enter elementary school. Through ongoing study of child development at Hanna Perkins, spanning more than 50 years, we understand that children develop the ability to learn within the context of well-established, caring relationships. For all children, the development of self-care skills and the ability to know and manage feelings enhance later academic learning. Initially, children convey their feelings through their behavior. It is with the help of their parents and teachers that they gradually learn to recognize their feelings, put them into words, and express them in appropriate ways. As children are able to do this, they become increasingly able to manage their feelings, take responsibility, develop self esteem and focus on school tasks. Within the context of developmentally appropriate structure and expectations, children can be helped to enjoy the process of exploration, experimentation, and discovery. They can also be helped to tolerate frustration and develop satisfaction in learning new skills. The Hanna Perkins School provides a developmentally enriched curriculum with a teacher/pupil ratio that allows for an individualized educational approach. Parents choose the school when they want the added benefit of working together with a child development specialist, as well as the teachers, in their efforts to facilitate their child’s healthy personality development and to further their own development as parents. The Hanna Perkins Toddler Program introduces toddlers to a group situation with the support of a parent. The child and parent attend school for two 90-minute sessions per week. The curriculum focuses on the development of self-care skills, growing independence, and the healthy management and channeling of intense feelings. We find that toddlers who are introduced to the group setting with a parent present are better able to understand and adjust to the teacher-pupil relationship and classroom routines. The Hanna Perkins Preschool provides a setting where children are supported in mastering separation from their parent in the process of developing a relationship with their teacher and learning how to function on their own in a classroom setting. Children are helped to enjoy learning, make choices according to what makes them feel good about themselves, and develop social skills. The Hanna Perkins Kindergarten provides a structured setting in which children are expected to take on increasing responsibility for their own learning and are helped to acquire the academic skills necessary for first grade. Children are assisted in developing internal controls to manage behavior, as they are helped to recognize and use their developing conscience. For children and families unable to attend the Hanna Perkins School, we are available for developmental guidance and other clinic services. In addition, Hanna Perkins Consultants provide courses and ongoing assistance to early childhood educators and caregivers in the greater Cleveland area and in distant locations throughout the United States. Consultants help them utilize Hanna Perkins understandings in their work with children and parents in their programs. |
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Send mail to
ddewalt@hannaperkins.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
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