We opened our doors to the Emily Meschter Early Learning Center in the 2000-01 school year and we are now the proud educators of 190 energetic and eager-to-learn preschoolers. We have a lot of fun playing and learning and invite you to join is in our classroom any time you’d like. As we work together our children will know they are important and have the potential to achieve great things.

Tips for Parents
 
We applaud you--parents and guardians--for using the many “teaching moments” throughout the day. Here are a few tips to help you with your most important job.

• Each child progresses at a unique rate, has an individual learning style, and possesses diverse abilities.
• Young children learn through active exploration of their environment where there is a balance between self-discovery and adult initiated/selected activities.
• A child’s learning is based on prior knowledge and experiences that are constructed through play, social interactions with other children, and consistent experiences guided by nurturing adults.
• Optimal learning occurs in environments where the adult is respectful of the child, the family, the language, the culture, and the community.
• A child’s progress is best understood through observable behavioral change using ongoing observation, anecdotal recordkeeping, and collection of the child’s work.
• Children develop a sense of empowerment by having many opportunities to make choices within their daily routines.
• Children learn best when their health and nutritional needs are met.
• Families are the primary caregivers and educators of young children.
• Young children are capable and competent regardless of their backgrounds, their experiences and their varying abilities.