We offer an after school program for school-age children up to 9 years-old. SCC provides a developmentally appropriate educational environment that uses the constructivist theory of learning to address our children’s intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Constructivistlearning is based on children’s active participation in problem-solving and critical
thinking in a learning activit
y that they find relevant and engaging. They are
“constructing” their own knowledge by testing ideas and approaches based on their prior
knowledge and experience and applying these to a new situation that they then integrate
with what they already know. We use the Reggio Emilia and Project approaches to
teaching to guide our teaching practices and to inform our curriculum development that
supports constructivist learning. We rely on a network of communication between the
children, parents and teachers to create a spirit of cooperation, collaboration and
co-construction of knowledge. Working together, we build a culture which respects
childhood as a time to explore, create and be joyful. We strive to create a school
environment that provides children with a sense of belonging in a world that is alive,
welcoming and authentic. We believe that every child can learn and we want our children
to experience success, a feeling of self-worth, and a love for learning. The school has always welcomed children of all faith traditions and,
notwithstanding its long and warm association with Otey Parish, has attempted not to bias
its program in favor of any particular faith tradition. At lunch, teachers offer the
opportunities to say a blessing and/or to relax quietly for a moment before beginning the
meal. We encourage our children to share books and songs that are special to them
during holidays throughout the year.
*Please refer to the following links for further information regarding the theoies and
approaches we on which we base our philosophy of teaching and learning: www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism; Project Approach:
http://projectapproach.org, http://www.reggiokids.com/the_reggio_approach.html.
