A PLAYFUL learning environment is proven to be pivotal in the cognitive development of preschoolers. This was apparent at Hope Christian High School’s Preschool Department in Manila, Principal Angeline Tan said.
She noted preparatory education ought to be more than a supervised play, since it has lasting effects on young learners.
Proof of this was the study of W. Steven Barnett, PhD, at the National Institute for Early Education Research Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in 2008. The study found that “well-designed preschool education programs produce long-term improvements in school success, including higher achievement-test scores, lower rates of grade repetition and special education, and higher educational attainment.” At Hope Christian’s preschool, children learn cognitive skills and concepts through play activities.
Here, they develop their big muscles and gross motor skills via indoor and outdoor games, Tan said.
Play experiences, she added, also allow youngsters to learn cooperative play, sharing, taking turns and following rules and instructions among others. To get their interest in math and science, these subjects are taught through manipulative materials, self-discovery and exploration of their environment.
Educational field trips, Tan noted, also form part of the curriculum and expose the preschoolers to learning and discovering outside the classroom. She cited, for instance, that kids get to experience life at a farm and see farm animals up close.
To develop all aspects of a child’s social and emotional development, the school principal said their program gives focus on Christian values and follows an international curriculum.
Hope Christian’s preschool has seven learning centers that use both English and Chinese instruction. Moreover, the teacher-student ratio is small, so attending to the needs of individual learners is assured. For a more conducive learning environment, the school has air-conditioned classrooms and facilities, an outdoor playground and an indoor playroom, a gymnasium and a day-care program.
Beyond academics, the school teaches values of love and respect, as well as guides the students to develop healthy habits, said Tan.
Hope Christian High School is at 1242 Benavidez Street, Santa Cruz, Manila.