Grounding Learning in Proven Educational Theories

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Building Independence and Self-Actualization

We recognize that a child’s ability to learn is deeply rooted in their basic needs being met, as outlined in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. To support children’s growth toward independence and self-actualization, we:

• Ensure their basic needs for food, safety, and comfort are prioritized.
• Foster a secure environment, enabling them to feel emotionally and physically safe.
• Provide opportunities for exploration and creativity, helping them achieve a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

By addressing these needs, children at Pink Tower are ready to engage in meaningful learning experiences and develop a strong sense of self.

2. Bloom’s Taxonomy: Encouraging Higher-Order Thinking

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to align with the principles of Bloom’s Taxonomy, progressing through the six levels of cognitive learning:

• Remember: Children recall basic facts, such as letter sounds or numbers.
• Understand: Activities like storytelling encourage comprehension of ideas.
• Apply: Through hands-on STEM experiments, children use knowledge in real-world contexts.
• Analyze: Sorting and categorizing exercises develop critical thinking skills.
• Evaluate: Group discussions help children make judgments and share perspectives.
• Create: Art and project-based tasks empower children to design and innovate.

By incorporating these stages, we ensure that our learners move beyond rote memorization, gaining skills to think critically and creatively.

3. Spiral Curriculum: Revisiting and Expanding Learning

Inspired by Jerome Bruner’s Spiral Curriculum, the Pink Tower Preschool revisits core concepts at increasing levels of complexity. For example:

• A child may start by learning about shapes, later use them in art projects, and eventually connect them to geometry during preschool activities.
• Basic knowledge of plants evolves into a gardening project, integrating science, mathematics (measuring growth), and language (writing observations).

This approach ensures concepts are reinforced while allowing children to deepen their understanding over time.

4. Integrated Subject Learning During Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning (PBL) is at the heart of our curriculum. Through multidisciplinary projects, children engage in integrated subject learning, where multiple areas of knowledge come together seamlessly:

• A project on building a birdhouse may include:
  • Mathematics: Measuring dimensions.
  • Science: Understanding birds’ habitats.
  • Art: Designing and decorating the house.
  • Language: Writing a story about the birds.

By weaving subjects together, PBL fosters a deeper understanding of real-world connections and encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

5. Experiential Learning: Learning Through Experience

At Pink Tower, we believe that children learn best through experiential learning, which allows them to explore, engage, and form their own understanding of the world.

• Children learn by doing and experiencing, not just by observing.
• Activities are designed to utilize their five senses, fostering a deeper connection to their learning.
• For example, a lesson about plants might include touching soil, smelling flowers, and tasting herbs, making the learning process memorable and enjoyable.

This hands-on approach not only strengthens their understanding but also nurtures curiosity and critical thinking.

6. Differentiation and Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Every child is unique, with their own learning style, pace, and developmental milestones. At Pink Tower:

• Individualized Learning: Our curriculum is tailored to each child’s abilities, ensuring tasks are appropriate for their developmental stage.
• Differentiated Tasks: Parents may notice that their child and another in the same class receive different tasks. This is intentional, as our educators ensure every child is challenged appropriately based on their current abilities.
• Progressive Challenges: As children mature physically and mentally, the complexity of their tasks gradually increases to match their growing capabilities.

This thoughtful approach ensures that every child feels supported while still being encouraged to grow.