| PHILOSOPHY |
| RHP's philosophy is that children learn best when they can
direct their learning within a structured and teacher-guided environment.
We believe in honoring childrenís intellectual interests, supporting their
natural abilities, and challenging them to learn more complex concepts.
Our approach is influenced by the work of John Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky,
Eric Erickson, the Bank Street School for Children, the Reggio-Emilia schools,
and, in particular, the Montessori method. At RHP, children from two and a half to five years old work together in the same classroom with the same materials. Our approach allows us to meet the individual cognitive and social-emotional needs of all students in the classroom through a structured, choice-driven, materials-based curriculum. We accomplish this task in our mixed-aged classroom by providing multi-leveled materials that children can use to develop early as well as advanced language, math, fine motor, artistic, scientific and sensorial skills. Providing carefully chosen materials stimulates and challenges children to construct and enhance their conceptual knowledge base. Through hands on work with materials, children develop an understanding of their environment. Through observation, discussion, and work with the children, the teachers develop an understanding of them. In this way, the dynamics oscillate between the child and their work, the child and their teacher, and the children with each other. The interplay of these classroom relationships fosters each childís unique development. Each year at RHP we work to develop a true community of learners who are equipped at this early period of development to think critically and to respect, support, and learn from all the members of their community. |