Overview and Philosophy

Children are fresh sponges, ready to soak up every element in their environment.

It is our responsibility as educators, caregivers, parents and administrators to surround

our little sponges with experiences that will shape their minds for success and fulfillment.

The learning experiences we offer should be authentic in purpose for use and exploration

within and outside the classroom setting. Students and families should be offered

support, resources and opportunities that result in positive growth for surrounding

communities.

My plan for improving early childhood education programs is built on an

inclusive model that implements the strengths found in many research-based theories and

approaches. At the forefront of my 20/20 Curriculum Plan (herein referred to as Phillips

20/20 Vision) is the student. The student is the sole driving force of all activities,

regulations and professional development. The Phillips 20/20 Vision provides hands-on

activities, authentic use of technology and incorporates the family in all practices of the

development center and classroom.

I share the passion of Paulo Freire who was a Social Reconstructionism leader. He

denounced the classroom being centered on the teacher (David Sadker, Karen Zittleman,

2013). I strongly believe in the practices modeled by Maria Montessori who mastered

the student-centered approach to learning. At the elementary level, she used teacher

taught subject materials and allowed students to research learning based on their interests

(Maria Montessori, MD, 2014).

The plan I present gives teachers, the professionals, the freedom to implement as

they see best, but also provides a back-up system for support and re-iteration. This plan
puts emphasis on the relationships of teachers with families and families with the school

at the forefront. My philosophy is that when the teacher is empowered and invested in,

she will adequately prepare an academic environment that benefits the child, the family

and the community.

Works Cited
David Sadker, Karen Zittleman. (2013). Teachers, schools, and society. McGraw Hill.

Maria Montessori, MD. (2014, September 21). Retrieved from Montessori the

international montessori index: http://www.montessori.edu/