Great Little Minds Academy believes that every student has the ability to advance academically and progressively show observable and quantitative growth. Every child can learn when proper teaching techniques and assessment tools are put into practice. In order to achieve this goal, Great Little Minds Academy offers a safe, loving and encouraging environment in which students can holistically advan
ce and become emotionally, physically, socially, and intellectually mature. We wish to be a positive influence in our students’ lives and help them formulate and achieve realistic but challenging personal and academic goals. Our main objective as an early childhood center is to present the students with lesson plans specially designed to make it all possible. In order to achieve this goal, GLMA uses the HighScope Curriculum, which describes teachers as facilitators, provoke critical thinking and assist students in developing analytical skills by using the “active participatory learning” approach. In this constructivist approach, students have direct, hands-on experiences not only with people and objects, but also with events and ideas. They construct their own knowledge through interactions with the world and the people around them. Children take the first step in the learning process by making choices and following through on their plans and decisions. Teachers and parents offer physical, emotional, and intellectual support. In active learning settings, adults expand children’s thinking with diverse materials and nurturing interactions. Through scaffolding, which is the process whereby adults support and gently extend children's thinking and reasoning, adults help children gain knowledge and develop creative problem-solving skills. This approach would not only prepare our students academically but personally and socially. In addition, it will provide the tools for them to become caring and active members of society.
