Hands on Learning
Hands on learning is learning by doing. This is necessary because it allows children to gain both knowledge and skill outside of dittos, books and lectures.
Hands on learning involves children in a total learning experience. This enables the child to think procedurally about what they are doing. By doing, instead of watching or listening, the children learn so much more and retain so much more of what they learn. |
Nationally Recognized CurriculaOur programs are built upon nationally recognized curricula and taught by well trained and highly qualified teachers.
First Friends regularly updates our curricula to meet the standards of both national and state education requirements. The Pre K children learn from the Houghton Mifflin curriculum. The Preschool and Early Preschool children learn from the Letter People curriculum. The Toddler children learn the Active Learning Learning curriculum. The Infant children learn from the Bright Baby curriculum. |
Child Directed LearningFirst Friends learning philosophy is that of a child directed environment.
We give children the environment and tools to learn at their own pace. Studies show that when children learn at their own pace they grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Our curriculum, along with all of the planned activities, is age appropriate. This allows the teachers to focus on the individual needs of your child. As a result, your child is taught based on their current pace and potential and not at the "average" pace of the classroom. |
Learning MomentsFrom the time your child wakes up until the time they go to bed at night, there are endless opportunities for learning. We call these "learning moments".
When your child is playing in the block corner, our teachers see a “learning moment”. The teachers facilitate these moments, based on age, by asking open ended questions, by having them count the blocks, point at the blue block or make a bridge to their friends block structure. See we understand that children do not have to be forced to learn. There are countless opportunities throughout the day even while they are playing. Some of the best learning happens without your child even knowing it. |