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Community Action, Inc. Early Education Vision - Page 2
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I. |
Approach to Curriculum: |
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Our program is based on the belief that the earliest years in children’s lives are extremely
important for setting the stage for future learning. Children learn best by being actively involved
in a learning environment supported by caring and nurturing teachers. By actively participating
in a variety of fun and interesting self-directed and teacher-led activities, children develop and
learn skills necessary to reach their potential and be successful. Children learn to be responsible
and respectful of others by being treated with respect and through clear expectations for
appropriate behavior. Parents are partners in their child’s education and special attention is paid
to the cultural and linguistic needs of the family.
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By participating in the Head Start Program, children will: |
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1. |
Have trusting relationships with responsive, nurturing and respectful adults. |
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Increase school readiness skills. |
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Learn to develop friendships and interact appropriately with peers. |
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Think creatively and solve problems. |
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Communicate their ideas, feelings, and observations. |
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Increase coordination and strengthen their bodies. |
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7. |
Learn to interact appropriately in a learning environment. |
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The agency is committed to providing programs of excellence. The publication “The Head Start Leaders Guide to Positive Child Outcomes” (ACYF, 2003) is a good resource which describes the various domains included in the Child Outcomes Framework and thus our curriculum.
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In order to move in the direction of current trends in the field of early education and to maintain compliance with the expectations of our grant from the Department of Education, Community Action has adopted researched based, commercially-developed curricula which meet the Head Start Child Outcomes and Performance Standards and have been approved for use in Pre- Kindergarten programs by the Texas Education Agency. Occasionally, Head Start may adopt a curriculum different from the one used by the district’s Pre-K program if there are compelling reasons (for example, the district’s adopted curriculum is not bilingual). |
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Current Approach to Curriculum for 0-3: |
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Community Action, Inc. uses the Kaplan Infant-Toddler curriculum for our Early Head Start
programs. This curriculum is based on the Head Start Outcomes framework as well as research concerning appropriate activities and care for infants and toddlers. The Early Head Start program
philosophy is further informed by the West Ed Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers.
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II. |
Approach to Assessment |
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The purpose of Assessment in the Community Action Early Education classroom is two fold. It
is designed to track both individual and program performance and to guide classroom instruction.
Pre-School First is consistent with the Curriculum and is designed to track the progress of
children on specific outcomes. This web-based assessment tool ensures that experiences are
available for each child that will allow him or her to consolidate current skills while challenging
the child to develop new ones.
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