Childhood Expectations
We believe that each child is a unique gift from God with his/her own special talents and needs. The Saint Thomas fosters all developmental areas – physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual – in a nurturing, positive environment. Our programs recognize different levels of ability, development and learning styles; utilizing active, open-ended, hands-on opportunities. Through these means each child is encouraged to reach his/her fullest potential with a positive self-image and love of learning.
Children are Unique
Children develop and learn at different rates and in different ways.
The learning environment helps develop individual potential. It respects and values differences in children, building upon individual differences rather than stressing conformity. The learning environment must encourage children to realize their potential rather than to compete with others.
As teachers looking at your children, we remind ourselves that:
- A wide range of individual variation is to be expected and respected;
- Each human being has an individual rate and style of learning;
- Each human being has an individual pattern and timing of development and learning
- Family experiences and cultural backgrounds vary;
- Individual variation is natural and valuable;
- Decisions about curriculum and assessment must be responsive to individual needs and interests
It is important that teachers be aware of the span of developmental and chronological ages in their classroom. It is also important that teachers consider growth-over-time in all areas (social, emotional, physical, cognitive, spiritual) and also learning styles, specific learning differences and cultural differences.