Early Childhood Education Philosophies

Child Care Provider

Early Learning Approaches for Professionals

Approaches to Early Learning

Early childhood education philosophies vary from program to program. You may decide to model your program after one or a number of different types. As your program grows and evolves, it is important to evaluate how you and your families are most comfortable with caring for and educating the children in your care.

When selecting an approach, child care professionals need to consider:

Children’s interests and capabilities
Their own interests, skills, capabilities and philosophies
The curriculum
Evidence of children’s learning
School and community contexts

Program Philosophies

Inquiry learning

This learning process engages students by making real-world connections through exploration and high-level questioning.

Event-based approach

Children's ideas and decision-making are central to an event-based approach. They are encouraged to plan and enact events in real-life contexts, drawing on their experiences.

Project approach

This approach follows an in-depth exploration of a topic that may be child or teacher-initiated and involves an individual, a group of children, or the whole class.

Explicit instruction

This structured and systematic approach to teaching academic skills involves checks for understanding and active participation by all children.

Play-based learning

Play-based curriculum allows children to learn the skills they need in a structured environment with the help and supervision of an experienced teacher who knows how to take interests and experiences and turn them into learning moments.

Direct teaching/instruction

Direct teaching/instruction is a step-by-step, lesson-by-lesson approach to teaching which is scripted and follows a pre-determined sequence of skill development.

Blended approach

Elements from more than one approach are combined to meet the needs of all children within the classroom environment.

Early Childhood Education

Common Philosophies

The philosophies listed here are just a few examples and may not be mutually exclusive for your program. We encourage you to continue to explore and incorporate what best fits your individual program.

Play-Based

Play-based programs believe that children are thinkers, reflecting about their world.

Cognitive-Based

Teachers plan experiences based on children’s interests and appropriate educational concepts.

Montessori

With specially-designed materials and highly-trained teachers, children learn quickly and easily through hands-on experience.

Reggio Emilia

The school’s student-driven style focuses on the freedom to express and explore ideas using movement, active listening, and hands-on activities.

Parent Co-ops

Parents and teachers work in tandem, typically with parents managing all administrative aspects of the school and rotating in and out of the classroom to observe and assist with lessons.

High Scope

Teachers act as a partner to the child, encouraging development, problem-solving tactics, and conflict-resolution skills through hands-on projects.

Approaches to Early Learning

Play-based

Purposeful play is an important way for children to learn. Play-based programs believe that children are thinkers, reflecting about their world. They gain knowledge by building on a path of ever-increasing knowledge and learn through the process of their efforts. Through purposeful play, they are encouraged to make choices and practice individual decision-making. A play-based program includes:

Long periods of uninterrupted play time
Children following their own interests
Open-ended play that focuses on the process, rather than the product

Learn More

Approaches to Early Learning

Cognitive-based

In cognitive-based programs, young children learn through active exploration in an environment which is rich in materials and opportunities to converse, socialize, work, play, and negotiate with others. Classrooms are planned to encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem solving in an atmosphere of warmth, affection, and respect for each child. Teachers plan experiences based on children’s interests and appropriate educational concepts. This includes:

A daily schedule of planned activities – both play-based and teacher-led
Hands-on learning through active exploration
Activities based on children’s interests

Cognitive Development

Approaches to Early Learning

Montessori

Montessori is based on the belief that children have a natural desire to learn and that, when they are placed in an enriched environment with specially designed materials and highly trained teachers, they learn quickly and easily through hands on experience. In Montessori programs:

Play is the “work of the child”
Children guide their own learning – building independence and self-esteem
Children benefit from small-group work and individualized attention

About Montessori

Approaches to Early Learning

Reggio Emilia

This approach places emphasis on the arts as children’s symbolic language and an engaging learning environment. Teachers, parents, and children, along with the community, are seen as co-constructors of knowledge. Parents are considered equal partners with teachers in their children’s education. Reggio Emilia programs include:

“Project-based” curricula
Topics for study that are built on the interests of the children
Groups both large and small that are encouraged to work together to solve problems

Emergent Curriculum

What I like about my kids’ Reggio preschool is that the students’ own interests are used to guide the curriculum. If a kid is really into space, or bugs, or houses, those themes are picked up and reflected back in the lessons and “provocations” by the teacher that then relate to STEM lessons or art projects.

Lydia Poon

a mother of two children in a Reggio school

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Taking a Systemic Approach to Family Engagement

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