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ECE Options Offering Hands-on Learning through Daily Activities

1.  http://www.puckett.org/poweroftheordinary.php

Orelena Hawks Puckett, born circa 1839, was a midwife in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. She is credited with bringing more than a thousand babies into the world. Orelena was an unselfish woman who did whatever she could to be of assistance to her friends and neighbors. She was sought out far and wide by expectant parents because of her compassion and reputation as a competent midwife. Her helping style made people feel confident and at ease. Orelena’s capacity to practice her craft in a supportive and compassionate manner forms the foundation for the mission of the Puckett Institute.

Bank Street

Rebuilding the Early Care & Education System With Equity at the Center Bank Street believes quality child care and education is an expression of justice, a means towards a more equitable society, and should be the right of all children starting from birth.

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  • The Bank Street method employs a child-centered education program focusing on the diversity of curriculum. Students are offered active educational opportunities in areas that develop cognitive, emotional, physical, and social growth. Learning often includes more than one subject and in groups, allowing that children learn at various levels and using different methods. Play is often used as an educational jumping off point, and teachers take advantage of teachable moments wherever possible.

  • A driving principle behind the Bank Street philosophy is that children can become lifelong learners by interacting with the environment around them, including other people, different places, and various things, and then interpret what they've just experienced. Students are offered myriad opportunities in which to do this—blocks, dramatic play, puzzles, field trips, and lab work.

  • Example of Use

  • If for example, children are playing store or restaurant in a play kitchen and/or table, a teacher who uses the Bank Street method may talk to the children about a variety of topics including:

  • Where does the food come from (and may include a mini-lesson about farms and/or even factories)

  • What types of food you can buy at a grocery store

  • What types of food these particular children like to eat

  • How to make a shopping list

  • What types of foods are healthy and which ones are not

  • If the lesson goes well, the teacher may even explore going on a field trip to a supermarket, or bring in a nutritionist to talk to the children about making good food choices at meal and snack times.

  • As displayed in the example above, the Bank Street method does a great job of taking child-centered play as a jumping-off point and using it to teach valuable lessons.

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