Na Kama Pono (The Early Childhood Development Center) is dedicated to promoting quality education for preschool children by providing a model laboratory site for students being educated to work with young children. As a training site, the Center staff encourages innovative practices and work with parents, college students, and the community to provide a balanced program, which enhances all areas of child development.
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The Center encourages social and emotional growth as a catalyst for the development of the whole child by:
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- providing an accepting and responsive environment which encourages sensitivity to others and cooperation
while promoting healthy self esteems,
- creating an atmosphere and environment which encourages self expression,
- including in the daily routine opportunities to work in large groups, small groups, and alone,
- modeling an appreciation for diversity and individual uniqueness while eliminating gender, cultural and other
biases,
- encouraging responsibility and confidence through the promotion of self help skills,
- assisting in the development of conflict resolution skills and self control, and
- promoting respect and conservation of the environment.
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Physical development is promoted by:
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- providing a healthy and safe environment which is challenging and age appropriate,
- developing a balanced schedule of indoor and outdoor activities with appropriate periods of rest and nutrition,
- providing activities, which enhance muscle development. Balance, as well as coordination, and
- modeling and teaching good health habits.
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Intellectual development occurs without pressure by:
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- encouraging self-selection of activities to promote self-pacing and appreciation for individual learning styles,
balancing teacher directed activities with a greater number of opportunities for free play,
- providing activities which are relevant to the children's experiences and appropriate to their level of
development,
- promoting opportunities to problem solve, explore, and make decisions to promote active learning.
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Language and literacy are developed by:
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- providing a print rich and responsive environment, which encourages children's language development and interest in literature and writing
- providing opportunities for individual interaction with children
- providing opportunities and encouragement to parents to read, write and interact with their children
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Na Kama Pono has adopted the Creative Curriculum which gives the program the flexibility to carry out the curriculum in accordance with its philosophy. |