Watch Me GrowWatch Me GrowLearning Environment Learning Environment

ProjectProject

Watch Me GrowWatch Me GrowLearning Environment Learning Environment

ProjectProjectPre-K: ages 4-5Pre-K: ages 4-5

Serving a non-denominational Serving a non-denominational Christian community of military familiesChristian community of military families

Project DesignerDevelopmental Specialist

Candace Parsons Orr

Grow With Me Learning Center

Lobby

Easy access button

Sliding door entry

Computer Center

book

shel

fbo

oksh

elf

cot

Art Sink

shelf

Eating/ Table Activity Area Flex Play

-circle time-music movement

5” Block/Platform

-Flex -Dramatic Play

Preschool Loft

Glass paneling

Welcome area/ center

2-way observation window

ArtRack

Base Cabinet

Exit toPlayground area

Children’s bathroom

ReadingArea

Wall StorageMirror

shel

f

Desk

Food Prep/Teacher workstation

Dress- Up

San

d/W

ater

Tab

le

Chi

ldre

n’s

Tro

ugh

Sin

kcubbies

She

lf

Wall Storage

She

lfEasel

Wal

l Sto

rage

Wall Storage

She

lfS

helf

Built-inPlasmascreen

Features of LayoutWelcome Area/Center

Dedication wall (family pictures, kids artwork, info. on projects we support)

Lighting• Soft warm natural lighting

-skylights & windowsWindows

large paneled @ child’s eye level2-way observation window (lobby)

Furniturechild-size: sinks, tables, chairs, couches, shelves, computer stations

Features of Layout (cont.)

FlooringCarpeted except for activity area

Wallspaintings/murals

DoorsAutomatic glass paneled sliding entry/exit

Videobuilt-in plasma screen & video cameras (streaming live video)

Placement of Areas• Helps create an effective learning environment

-separation of noisy & quiet areas-defined individual & group space-inclusive -increase interactions, decrease interruptions (traffic flow)-proximity to water

• Our learning areas include:– Reading corner (quiet zone)– Flex play (blocks, music & movement) – Activity area (art/math/science)– Sand/water– Kid’s Loft (dramatic play)

Features of Playground• Includes all the inside elements

outside.• Sandbox area, swings with inclusive

swing for severely handicapped child• Playground equipment has easily

accessible handrails available throughout

Outside Play• Playground features

Universal Design• Our preschool center was designed to

meet the needs of individuals with special needs. As this was part of our focal point, we choose to use innovative technology.

• Automatic sensory sliding doors (into wall) at all entry/exit doorways

Cutting EdgeTechnology

• Watch Me Grow Monitoring and Recording Service

• Parents view their child’s classroom/playground live from work, home, or overseas deployment

• Welcome terminal in lobby provides announcements, latest events & live video

Child-size Technology

• Child-size computer stations

• Online preschool classes

• Classroom website

Reggio Emilia Curriculum

• Fosters a child’s ability to express themselves through art (therapeutic)

• Encourages social interaction (extended family unit for military kids)

• Child centered Vygotskian Learning (values the child)

Christian Foundation• Monthly lessons on fruits of the spirit (December

lesson-self control) Great way to teach classroom rules

• We teach the real meaning of Christmas - students put on a traditional Christmas pageant for parents

• We teach the real meaning of Easter

• We pray and say grace everyday

Anti-Bias Environment• Instill children with a

respect for themselves, their classmates, community, and nation

• Children with strong self-identities are best equipped to stand up and fight bias against themselves and others

Anti Bias Tools for Learning

• Global Grover Multi-media Program• Videos that teach respect and

understanding for other cultures• Videos that support military families

through deployment and injury SESAME - Global Grover

Social Justice• Winter clothing

drive Afghanistan Orphanage Project

• Operation Christmas Child

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNCf3c4X3oU

ECERS• Why our center receives top scores in

the ECERS rating scale:-includes all five important learning centers-uses the widely recognized Reggio Emilia

emergent curriculum approach- award winning universal design - 21st Century technology- serves families of cultural & religious

diversity

NarrativeThe objective of our project was to create a universal design for learning with 21st century technology, keeping our goal in mind of serving military families. As we know, the importance of family connection is key to a child’s overall developmental well-being.

Narrative (cont.)Our Watch Me Grow technology helps fulfill this objective by providing parents on deployment with live video feed right from their child’s classroom. We chose the Reggio Emilia curriculum supported by the Vygotskian theory of socio-cultural learning. This creates an effective environment for teaching anti-bias material and social justice.

Cont.In addition, we believe our Christian foundation gives us our guidance in how we promote social justice which flows from faith and brings us to a deeper faith.

Dedicated to ECH 395