Curriculum and Program Mission
The mission of Coleman Center for Early Childhood and Family Enrichment is to establish a place where children will be encouraged to engage in developmentally appropriate learning through play. All children will be provided with a safe, nurturing, child - centered, and quality educational environment that fosters a child's individual success and a love of learning in collaboration with parents and the community.
““Educate the mind to think, the heart to feel, and the body to act."”
Troy University Motto |
First Class Pre-K
Our approach to learning and teaching is centered on the developmentally appropriate practices.
- Strategies are based on the principles of active learning and the support of a child's positive interactions with adults and peers.
- Methods are applied that promote independence, curiosity, decision making, cooperation, persistence, creativity, and problem-solving in young children.
- Multiple levels of learning occur with individuals, pairs, and small groups, promoting creative and divergent thinking.
- Multiple opportunities to think, investigate, experiment, and challenge are provided, while also allowing time for reflection and dialogue.
- Children are encouraged to engage in developmental learning through creativity and play.
- Ratios to promote optimal learning experiences with a teacher ratio of 1:18.
Classrooms
Coleman Center offers two (2) Alabama First Class Pre-K Classrooms. Follow the link for additional information.
https://children.alabama.gov/for-families/first-class-pre-k/
Assessment – ongoing throughout the year
What is childhood assessment?
- Early childhood assessment is a tool used to gather and provide educators, parents, and families with critical information about a child's development and growth.
- Assessment is a critical part of a high-quality, early childhood program.
- When educators conduct an assessment, they observe a child to obtain information about what he knows and what he can do.
- Observing and documenting a child's work and performance over the course of a year allows an educator to accumulate a record of the child's growth and development.
Why is assessment important?
Assessment provides educators, parents, and families with critical information about a child's development and growth. Assessment can:
- Provide a record of growth in all developmental areas: cognitive, physical/motor, language, social-emotional, and approaches to learning.
- Identify children who may need additional support and determine if there is a need for intervention or support services.
- Help educators plan individualized instruction for a child or for a group of children that are at the same stage of development.
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses within a program and information on how well the program meets the goals and needs of the children.
- Provide a common ground between educators and parents or families to use in collaborating on a strategy to support their child.
- Adhearance to GOLD Assessment curriculum that promotes seemless integration into kindergarden classroom.
Daily Schedule
Daily schedules for children provide a framework for planning and organizing the daily routine for the children. Scheduling will always include the children's needs in order to develop a secure foundation.