Module 3 Assignment Why Should I Choose Your Program? During the past weeks you have been challenged to think about the critical role of play and creativity in children’s healthy development and lear
Simulation Scenario
Why Should I Choose Your Program?
Note: This is the scenario in which you will be taking on the role of the director of The Children’s Program for your Simulation.
Martina Gardella, Tony’s mom, has been visiting early childhood settings with the goal of choosing the best one for her son. She has visited many and is particularly excited about Loving Learning, a preschool that emphasizes not only how much young children are capable of learning but also how experiences in the program help to ensure children’s success in kindergarten.
Martina was able to observe at Loving Learning while Tony spent the morning in one of the classrooms. She was impressed by how organized the program was and the way the teachers were always present with the children—directing and guiding their learning. When they were leaving, Tony handed his mom a folder of work he had accomplished: a pre-reading worksheet, one on beginning math numbers, a step-by-step science activity, and refrigerator-ready art with a huge yellow sun that depicted the weather for the day.
With one program left on her list, Martina observed, while Tony visited, The Children’s Program, a preschool recommended to her by neighbors. Though Tony didn’t have anything to bring home other than paint on his shoes and hands, Martina was surprised because, as they were leaving, Tony kept asking when he could come back.
After the visit, Martina wrote the following email to you, the Director of the Children’s Program:
Thank you for allowing Tony and me to visit your program. Frankly, I had been very impressed with Loving Learning when we visited and the many ways, they place a high value on preparing children for success in kindergarten. But when my child wanted to come back to your program, I decided I needed to give my decision more thought. Frankly, I have some concerns about your approach and am hoping we can meet in person to talk them over. I thought it would be helpful to include my main questions here so we can talk about them when we meet:
Academics: How does your program address pre-reading and reading, math, science, social studies, etc., since these areas are so important for kindergarten success?
Daily schedule: I'm confused about the amount of time devoted to free play and choice time and how that prepares children for kindergarten.
Teachers’ roles: What do the teachers really do all day other than let the children play?
Creativity: On your program website, I see that creativity is an emphasis, but where is the creativity in your program when even art is optional?
I hope you are agreeable to meeting and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Thank you,
Martina Gardella
