Philosophy
The Children's House of Oakmont is an independent preschool committed to providing an excellent education for children, ages two and one half through six years. The home and classroom environments include methods that stimulate optimal development: intellectual, social, and physical.
This school has a deep commitment to the importance of each child as an individual. The teacher offers a model of trust and respect, thereby nurturing a sense of respect to oneself, to others, and to one's environment. The classroom setting provides an orderly, accepting atmosphere in which children develops spirit that is independent yet cooperative, disciplined yet inquisitive.
The Children's House believes in the importance of a strong, supportive relationship between the two major influences in a child's life - the home and the school. Every effort is made to create conditions that welcome parents to become involved in activities, and to share in the progress of their children.
Program Goals
The program is geared toward helping the child develop habits of observation, questioning, and listening. It gives him an awareness of his own feelings and of his right to express those feelings by sometimes channelling them into other means of expression. He learns he is free to make choices, and that as long as he stays within the limits of consideration for people and things, he does not always have to conform. An open-end program like this prepares the child to utilize his intellectual and creative abilities in future learning tasks.
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The primary goal of the approach is to help the child acquire the self-confidence, self-motivation, and self-assurance she needs to fulfill her own best potential. This is done by building on her interest, nurturing her enthusiasm, and making activities available that fit her individual needs. Accentuate inner motivation, using the child's natural curiosity and delight in discovery as a guide in planning and implementing daily lessons.
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Other important goals include:
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Providing the very young with a safe, healthful, and stimulating environment that gives each individual freedom of movement and - through controlled stimulation - foster a sense of independence.
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Emphasizing individual achievement. In a carefully planned environment featuring special materials and using self-directed and self-correcting activities, children are encouraged to learn independently and at their own speed. Each child is valued for his own uniqueness and individuality.
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Providing a non-institutionalized atmosphere that closely relates to the child's own home environment, fostering feelings of familiarity and security within the child.
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Recognizing and being supportive and respectful of the individual's personal lifestyle and cultural background.
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Fostering independence, a sense of order, concentration, and coordination, preparing the child for life.
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At this time in a child's life, he is wide-eyed and vulnerable; an empty vessel waiting to be filled. Now is the time to establish the groundwork upon which later learning will be built - a groundwork that is strong, confident and motivated.
