Philosophy and Purpose

Our school is a Christian school and, therefore, emphasizes Christ-centered teaching. We base our philosophy and purpose on the verse we have been blessed with from Deuteronomy chapter 6. The bible is the integrating factor around which all activities and subject matter are correlated. We believe the Bible is the inspired and only infallible Word of God and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our personal Savior is the only way to enter heaven.

Behind all the planning for the school is the philosophy that these early years are the foundation upon which future learning depends. Our aim is to provide an environment where your child will experience their happiest times. Recognizing the importance of balanced growth, our staff will provide opportunity for the Social/Emotional, Intellectual/Cognitive, Physical and Spiritual Development of your child.

Reggio Emilia

Stepping Stones has been at the forefront of school education in development innovative educational programs and has played a preeminent role in providing education for the children of our future. For this very reason, Stepping Stones offers balanced education of Reggio Emilia inspired principle and Montessori principle. Stepping Stones does not practice the entire teaching of either one; instead we adopt the finest qualities of each principle and implement the balanced instruction to our children.

The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education is a system designed for all children from birth through six years of age. We do not follow the entire principles of Reggio Emilia; instead, we practice the selected and modified principles. The Reggio Emilia approach exercised at Stepping Stones are as follows

Topics of students’ lessons are captured from children’s discussion, through community or family events, as well as the known interests of children (shapes, colors, weather). We have firm belief that team planning is a vital constituent of the emergent curriculum.

The Reggio Emilia methodology at Stepping Stones calls for the assimilation of the pictorial arts as tools for cognitive, linguistic, and social development and enhancement. Production of notion and theory in compound forms of representation -- print, art, construction, music, and shadow play -- are viewed as vital to children's insight to experience.

Montessori

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another person. Dr. Montessori felt that the goal of early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his own natural desire to learn.

In the classrooms, we allow each child to experience the excitement of learning by his own choice rather than by being forced; assist him to perfect all his natural tools for learning, so that his ability will be maximum in future learning situations. The ability will be at maximum in future learning situations.

The Montessori materials have this dual long-range purpose in addition to their immediate purpose of giving specific information to the child.

Stepping Stones follows only the finest qualities of Montessori approach. There are five basic areas to the classroom that we selectively incorporate into our teaching principles:

1.) Practical Life
2.) Sensorial
3.) Math
4.) Language
5.) Cultural Subjects

The Montessori Learning Kits in each classroom allow children to build math skills by learning the number concepts and principles for addition and subtraction. Children develop their communication skills by building on their vocabulary with designated vocabulary matching cards and learning the alphabet sounds and phonics.

Stepping Stones School has been uniquely qualified to accomplish balanced education of both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approach because of its independence, its size and the quality of its faculty, academic programs and students. Stepping Stones will assist and foster each child’s educational, emotional, physical and social developments.