Unicoi County Community Learning Center

                            Children seek to answer questions through active exploration.   Their experiences lead them to ask questions such as "What will happen if...."  This photo shows how, through sand and water play, children investigate how the sand flows through the openings causing the wheels to turn.

                                                  Children actively engage in using the arts to express, represent and integrate their experiences, ideas, and emotions.  Early childhood education focuses on the process of art exploration rather than the product.  Observing how the colored water mixes and changes when absorbed into the coffee filter also integrates the investigation of a scientific  process.

                                                             In early childhood education, children often express wonder and amazement when encouraged to observe the world around them.  Children are allowed to enjoy the feeling of various materials such as shaving cream shown in this picture.

                  As children begin to understand that writing communicates their thoughts to someone, they become invested in being able to produce letter-like symbols and to write meaningful words.  Learning to write their own letter, their own name and also the letters and names of their friends is improtant to preschool children and helps fosters a feeling of accomplishment!

                                                                                                     Our youngest learners' main objectives are exploration, pleasure and discovery.  They enjoy a wide range of art materials that are available in the classroom.  We value the expressiveness that comes from messy activities!

            Books provide a wealth of information as well as pleasure.  As children become familiar with books they will independently begin to explore them.  This photo shows a child who is showing an interest in reading...she is listening to a recorded story. 

                                                                             Technology is such a part of the world around our children.  Often they are more able to use various types of technology than adults who did not grow up using it.  Teachers also talk with children and help them begin to understand how technology affects their lives. 

Children acquire mathematical thinking skills while playing with concrete objects.  Numbers on a worksheet do not give children an intrinsic understanding  of quantity, mass and relationships.  Children gain this understanding by using and interacting with real objects.

Preschool is a wonderful and magical time in a child's life.  In a preschool setting, children are given the opportunity to develop special friendships that can last a lifetime.   Preschoolers can practice their emerging social skills alongside a caring adult.

Information guided by  The Work Sampling System Omnibus Guidelines