An Introduction to The Academy for GOD Preschool’s Educational Approach

The field of early childhood education often seems overly dichotomized, with methodologies forcing parents to choose between play-based or academic approaches, child-led or teacher-driven curriculums, and traditional classroom environments or no classrooms at all. While each approach certainly has its merits, and may suit families needs, The Academy for GOD Preschool offers a unique approach that emphasizes developmental appropriateness of environment and curriculum, allowing room for both the child and the teacher’s roles in education. 

Holistic Development Requires Multiple Approaches 

At The Academy for GOD Preschool, our priority is on the holistic development of children. Holistic development cannot be accomplished with a dichotomized approach. Neither solely play-based or traditional academic methodologies holistically develop a child and prepare them well for life beyond preschool. Likewise, a nature-only environment that rejects a classroom environment, or a primary-colored classroom full of worksheets and strict stations work for the vast range of development present in preschool aged children. Approaches and environments must consider each age group of preschool children separately, tailoring both to meet the needs of the children. 

The Academy for GOD Preschool teachers use their knowledge of early childhood education to implement multiple educational approaches, blending methodologies as necessary to best teach their students. This may mean creating a classroom system, curriculum activity, or environment  that works for one group of children, but may not work for their group the next year or even month to month. Our teachers stay in tune with their students to the degree that they can adapt their approach as quickly as necessary, and receive co-teacher and administrative support to do so. Altogether, the knowledge base of Preschool’s team is used to collectively serve the children in our program at any given time to the best of our abilities. 

Adaptability

Our preschool classrooms and curriculum allow for the range of developmental needs present in the age group, and are flexible enough to be adapted beyond just the age group to even accommodate particular students’ developmental needs. Our 1’s classroom may be set up for the general developmental needs for 11-24 month olds, but our teachers monitor the progression of their particular students through the year, adapting materials and activities to suit the child before them. All of our classrooms possess this adaptability, which should be a hallmark of any preschool program that truly considers the child and prioritizes their healthy, holistic development. 

Distinctives of The Academy for GOD Preschool 

The Academy for GOD Preschool possesses several clear distinctives from other early childhood educational programs. We prioritize holistic development of the child, emphasize Biblical values and social emotional development, and have staff all holding or pursuing degrees in Biblical Education and/or Community Development. 

As touched on, holistic development of a child cannot be dichotomized into one educational approach. Every ECE approach that uses only one type of education or way of teaching necessarily sacrifices the development of something. Indeed, it is impossible to truly develop every part of a child at once, just as it is impossible for an adult to grow in all areas of life at once. However, setting out for holistic development, and clearly defining areas of emphasis that are not solely academic or physical, prevents an overly narrow focus on one area of development over another. 

Preschool’s curriculum emphasizes Biblical values and social emotional development. These categories are closely related for us, as the framework of Biblical values we teach are intrinsically social-emotional in nature. The most important developmental areas for young children all touch on the social-emotional – that is, the areas that can be affected by preschool most readily. Emphasizing a Biblical approach to social emotional development ensures children learn how to healthily relate to themselves, others, and the world around them in a developmentally appropriate way. Teachers use age-appropriate social emotional milestones to inform their curriculum, and again adapt these to their various students’ particular needs throughout the year. 

Perhaps The Academy for GOD Preschool’s most remarkable distinctive is the Biblical education of its staff. This factor truly sets our program apart, as every staff member is personally committed to developing their relationship with the Lord, and implementing Biblical values into everything they do, especially their work. This education gives them an understanding of the importance of young children’s education in a way that no traditional certification could; the Preschool team understands their work as investing into the next generation, a work Jesus himself prioritized and told his followers to highly value. Though our staff also receives at least 30 hours of professional development in early childhood education topics each, their Biblical foundation allows them to filter all of the field’s commonly held practices to a higher standard – that of God’s word. 

Conclusion 

While a narrow early childhood educational approach may truly suit some families and children best, The Academy for GOD Preschool offers parents seeking a holistic, Biblical education for their children a model that supports the child according to Biblical values as well as developmentally appropriate practice. Our flexible curriculum, adaptable environments both indoors and out, and our Biblically educated team of teachers make this model unique among preschools, and truly offers children holistic preparation for school and life. We are thankful to partner with the Lord in this precious work of raising our most vulnerable and valued, our preschool aged children.