Early Education
Programs
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Nancy Rosenow, Executive Director Michelle Zimmer, Infant/Toddler Director |
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Philosophy
First-Plymouth Infant/Toddler Program believes in a hands-on, experiential approach to learning. Through creative research-based experiences, children are provided with opportunities to:
- Grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually
- Improve problem-solving skills
- Make decisions and begin taking responsibility for those decisions
- Develop confrontation and negotiation skills in relating to other people
- Learn to accept and appreciate differences among people
- Gain divergent thinking skills as their own ideas and creativity are encouraged
- Develop a life-long love for learning.
First-Plymouth Infant/Toddler Program is open to children of all denominations and faiths. Although housed in a church building, no specific religious teaching is included in the program. Diversity among students is encouraged and affirmed as every effort is made to gain an appreciation for the pluralism of our society.
Daily Activities
First-Plymouth Infant/Toddler Program’s developmentally-centered approach to learning allows for a good balance between child-initiated activities and teacher-planned times. A consistent daily routine provides children with a sense of comfort and stability. A typical day might include:
Discovery Times
Large, well-equipped rooms encourage learning through discovery as children choose from activities such as:
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Experimenting with paint and other creative art experiences - Building with blocks and a variety of three-dimensional materials
- Exploring with science-related materials such as texture tables and nature items
- Dramatic play and dress-up
- Working with small-motor manipulatives like giant pegboards
- Language experiences with books, flannel boards, large crayons and more
Story Times and Language Experiences
Children have daily opportunities to develop positive relationships with books as teachers read well-chosen stories and encourage children to explore books on their own. Our in-school library includes a large selection of the best of children’s literature…both fiction and non-fiction. Children are also encouraged to participate in story-telling experiences and to explore writing implements. Teachers use the best and latest research to help support and encourage children’s early literacy development.
Gym, Outdoor Classroom and Greenhouse
A large indoor area is available throughout the year for large-motor play with riding toys, slides and balls. Children also have opportunities to explore, play and enjoy outdoor activities on our new Outdoor Classroom, complete with a real greenhouse.
Music and Movement Times
Each month teachers develop a "Music and Movement Plan" (based on High/Scope techniques, Arts Are Basic activities and the latest research on quality musical experiences for young children) that is implemented during Circle Time.
In addition, special musical performances and unique musical experiences for children are scheduled periodically throughout the year. Teachers have also created a Gym and Playground Committee to look for new research-based experiences to help children best develop their large motor kinesthetic skills.
Spanish
Children have the opportunity to work with a Spanish-language facilitator who visits classrooms to encourage children to hear stories and practice speaking in Spanish. Children who are already fluent in Spanish help others learn.
Snack Times
Healthy nutritious snacks are provided each day, and are part of a comprehensive health and nutrition plan. Families are invited to bring in healthy snacks occasionally, if desired.
Small Group Project Times
Each day small groups of children work with their teacher on projects involving art, manipulatives, early science or literacy concepts, or a variety of other topics. Teachers plan these activities around children’s interests and needs.
Infants have individualized schedules, but enjoy most of the activities listed above.
Resource People
Resource people, including parents and other community members, visit to share hobbies, skills, and information.
Visual-Spatial Research Project
Since 1998 the research branch of our program (the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation) has been working with professors from Doane College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; a neuropsychologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha; and various other collaborators from around the nation on a research project to study how young children best develop visual-spatial skills. Teachers have been researching many new techniques and materials for children to experience. We will be offering workshops, home and classroom activity kits, and videotapes to both educators and parents to help support this vital learning throughout our nation.
Teaching Staff
In order to provide the best possible experience for each child, teachers think it is important that they:
- Attend weekly in-service meetings with the entire staff
- Regularly record observations of children’s activities and develop a yearly portfolio of each child's work
- Plan daily with their team teacher to build on children’s interests and needs
- Attend frequent staff workshops on child development issues
- Participate in professional organizations such as National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Attend national or regional educational conferences whenever possible
- Constantly read and review new research and literature on quality early childhood education.
Opportunities for Parents & Teachers to Work Together
We know that teamwork between parents and teachers is vitally important for children’s well-being in early education programs. We welcome parents into our rooms and love talking together at any time. Parents’ suggestions and ideas help us create the best program possible for children. Two parent-teacher conferences are held each year.
Family Activities & Services
First-Plymouth Infant/Toddler Program believes in supporting families by providing a variety of social and educational opportunities, including:
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Book Fairs - Family Fun Nights
- A Family Concert and Children’s Arts Festival
- Parent Information Nights
- A Parent Lending Library
- Family Support
- Family Picnics
- Open Houses
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
Session Schedules
Families may register for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days a week, and chose from the following sessions:
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
or
9 to 11:30 a.m.
or
12:45 to 3:15 p.m.
Early Morning and Late Afternoon Sessions
Optional classes are available before 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m. Children may attend any time from 7:45 to 9 a.m. before the 9:00 sessions and/or after the 2 or 3:15 p.m. up until 5:15 p.m.
The holiday periods and emergency closings are similar, but not as frequent, to those observed by the Lincoln Public Schools.
Fees
The Infant fee is $4.75 per hour; the Toddler fee is $4.25 per hour. (If requested, special price reductions may be available for children who attend all day, each day.) If this is a financial need with your family, please speak with the Financial Director to see if your family qualifies and if tuition assistance is available.
About the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire children, families and educators to better understand, appreciate and personally connect with the world around them by providing innovative research-based programs and resource materials.
Core Values
Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in all that we do.
"Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude."…Ralph Marston
Integrity: We hold ourselves accountable to the highest ethical
standards.
"Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do."…Don
Galer
Innovation: We create cutting-edge approaches to teaching and
learning.
"(One’s) mind, stretched to a new idea, never goes back to its
original dimensions."…Oliver Wendell Holmes
Discovery Learning: We promote a life-long process of discovering the
world from new perspectives.
"The real voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but
in having new eyes."…Marcel Proust
Research-Based Framework: The foundation of our work is the use of a
rigorous research methodology based on close observation of children and
teachers over time.
"You can observe a lot just by watching."…Yogi Berra
Collaboration: We use an interdisciplinary team approach that
provides multiple perspectives through partnerships.
"We will surely get to our destination if we join hands." …Aung San
Sun Kyi
Inclusiveness: We embrace the plurality and diversity of our world.
"In diversity there is beauty and there is strength."…Maya Angelou
Sustainability: We nurture the health and well-being of our
organization as we work toward the health and well-being of our world.
"We are all weaving the future on the loom of today." …Grace Dawson
International Outreach: We are committed to sharing our knowledge and
resources with the world.
"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing
for others?"…Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
First-Plymouth Early Education Programs serve as research classrooms for the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, an independent 501(c) 3 organization.
The Dimensions Foundation provides research-based resources for families and educators that are designed to bring more visual-spatial learning into classrooms and homes. Hands-on workshops, videotapes, and materials kits for classrooms and homes will be offered in the following areas: The built environment; The natural environment; Purposeful movement.