The Harrison Early Childhood Program is committed to providing a high-quality early childhood program in a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the diverse needs of children and families in our community.
Our preschool program embraces cultural diversity, incorporating elements from the students' backgrounds and communities. This helps children feel seen and valued, fostering a positive sense of identity while exposing them to new ideas and traditions.
Play is central to our curriculum, as it enhances learning through natural exploration. Teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each child, recognizing that language development might progress at different rates. This includes small group work, one-on-one support, visual aids, and gestures to reinforce understanding.
We highly encourage parents to continue speaking their native language at home. Bilingualism is a valuable asset for all children. We recognize the importance of supporting both home language and second language acquisition. Developing fluency in more than one language not only enhances children’s academic skills but also prepares our students for the increasingly diverse world in which we live. Knowing more than one language is a skill to be valued and encouraged.
Research shows that continuing to develop your child’s home language does not interfere with learning English. It actually facilitates the process!
Getting ready for Pre-K? Check out these links to information on reading tips, ideas designed for preschoolers, bilingualism and more!
https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/reading-tips-parents-preschoolers
https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/tips-parents-kindergartners
https://www.colorincolorado.org/preschool-years
https://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/bilingual/