"In a caring and positive atmosphere, I create a warm and happy place for preschoolers to learn. As I bridge the gap from home to school, I guide children to a continued good self-image while building social skills in a school setting.

Sensory, motor, perceptual and language skills are introduced through materials and activities which are both child-centred and teacher-directed. Work is planned to emphasize the process rather than the product, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Based on the theory that children learn through play, classroom routines encourage active involvement, meaningful experimentation and reinforcement through repetition. Schedules are designed to balance structure and free choice, as well as active and quiet times.

Recognizing that children grow in predictable stages, I treat each child as an individual, working from the level each child has attained and moving forward a step at a time. I teach a love of learning by allowing children to experience their own stage of development and helping them to feel success without pressure.

I value the active involvement of parents in my program, through both committee and classroom participation. Duty days enable the children to see their parents as important and concerned members of the new school environment, while providing parents with opportunities to view their child with the teacher and other children.

Parents may gain valuable insights and techniques by observing both the teacher and other parents and at the same time share their own talents and interests to maintain the excellent quality here at Pied Piper Preschool. School then becomes a shared experience which hopefully will continue throughout each child’s education process."

–Karen Gibson