Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool: Philosophy

Spring-Mar bases its curriculum on a developmental view of the way children learn. Working at their own pace, children experience science, language, arts, mathematics, music, creative art and social studies.

Learning by doing means using hands-on activities to formulate an understanding of the world and learning concepts rather than being instructed in rote academic details. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recommends this developmental approach over an academic program to provide children with the best foundation for future success in school.

At Spring-Mar we strive to help children:

• Value themselves as worthwhile individuals
• Understand the world around them
• Find learning a source of delight and satisfaction
• Feel at ease with other children and adults
• Attain good physical coordination

The Importance of Play

At Spring-Mar, we believe young children learn most effectively through their play. Play is the most vibrant and natural way children try out ideas, practice grown-up behavior and develop a sense of control over their world.

Indeed, research has shown that creative play fosters social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth.

Play helps children:

• Learn to problem-solve, make choices, interact verbally, use symbols and develop persistence
• Build emotional security as they try new things without risk of failure
• Develop creative, flexible minds

Play is also a self-motivated activity and the most natural way children progress through the stages of developmental learning.

At Spring-Mar, open centers and materials in home-base rooms provide a sequence of experiences for children at varying stages.

Children are permitted to use these materials in a variety of ways. Teachers encourage open-ended projects, as well as creative expression and thinking.

Developmental Objectives

Social/Emotional. Growth in a child's sense of autonomy and initiative helps build confidence. In addition, a child's ability to relate well with other children and with adults is a vital goal during the preschool years. Children need to grow in their ability to cope with fears and frustrations and to show persistence in completing a task.

Cognitive. Developing a child's thinking processes during preschool years involves coming up with interesting ideas, pursuing problems and questions, putting things into relationships and expressing ideas.

Physical Development. Physical aspects of growth provide awareness of one's body in space--how it moves and the effects of these movements on the environment. Children need opportunities to build small and large muscle coordination.

Spring-Mar also offers vision, hearing and developmental screenings at various times throughout the school year for nominal fees.