The program
Our approach
The HighScope difference: research-based active learning
Active learning is the central tenet of the HighScope approach. Our renowned program has helped children achieve school readiness in all areas of academic and social learning. Grounded in research, the HighScope approach recognizes the importance of viewing the child from the global perspective of their intellectual, linguistic, emotional, social and physical development. With the HighScope method, young children learn—and thrive—through natural play, better preparing them for success in school and in life.
Play-based, child-centred
In active learning environments, children are fully-engaged and encouraged to explore hands-on experiences with adults, diverse objects and their environment—they take the first step in the learning process by making choices and following through on their actions. Children and adults interact as partners in the learning process.
Within this active learning environment, children are encouraged to:
- Choose activities and materials that interest them
- Manipulate diverse materials in their own way
- Use language to describe their actions and intentions
- Receive physical, emotional and intellectual support from adults
- Plan, act and reflect on their actions
- Gain knowledge and develop creative problem-solving skills
The HighScope advantage: built by science, validated by research
The HighScope approach to early childhood education is based on the findings of a landmark longitudinal study in early childhood education: the Perry Preschool study. The study was carried out in Michigan between 1962 and 1967 among a disadvantaged population and was continually updated to track children’s progress.
The Perry Preschool study was a critical component in understanding the intergenerational and social benefits of early childhood education. Defined as an iconic early childhood intervention, the study and its pioneering components, formed the foundation of the HighScope Curriculum.
In addition to the Perry Preschool Study study, other studies have demonstrated the validity of the program’s principles.
- The HighScope National Training of Trainers Evaluation
- The Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey
- The HighScope Preschool Comparison Study
Today, the HighScope Foundation continues to pursue this research, continually integrating its findings into educational programs.
At HighScope, our International Institutes span the globe, empowering students and educators the world over with high-quality, active learning. We maintain a presence in: Ireland, Portugal, Mexico, South Africa, Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, Chile, USA and Canada.
Contact us to learn more about our international institutes
Powerful, positive and sustained outcomes
At HighScope, we create strong instructional early childhood educators and support leaders across the country with comprehensive programs developed to build sustained positive outcomes to the benefit of everyone.
By implementing the HighScope educational program, you’re telling your community that you’re striving for professional excellence and delivering on your promise to provide the children you care for with a high-quality educational program so that every child can thrive.
Benefits for program administrators
- A team that shares a common pedagogical language, goals and tools
- Cohesion of all pedagogical interventions
- Continual improvement of the educational quality offered within a defined, measurable framework
- Improved relations with families
Benefits for the children
- A team that shares a common pedagogical language, goals and tools
- Cohesion of all pedagogical interventions
- Continual improvement of the educational quality offered within a defined, measurable framework
- Improved relations with families
The HighScope program fosters the development of the skills needed to succeed in school and life by offering a variety of active learning experiences that encourage the child’s full development.
Short-term benefits include:
- Improved social responsibility
- Higher cognitive and motor skills
- Greater sense of initiative
- Better social skills
- Development of executive functions
- Pleasure while learning
Medium-term benefits include:
- Greater academic success
- More advanced general development
Long-term benefits:
- Higher incomes
- Better professional situation
- More positive contribution to society
Benefits for educators
Access to a host of development tools and activities to help the educator achieve excellence and professional recognition.
As a certified HighScope educator:
- People will recognize you as a skilled professional with a high level of competency and the ability to achieve superior results with the children you work with.
- Parents will quickly recognize that implementing the HighScope program has significantly enhanced their children’s development.
- You’ll share the same language and common goals as your colleagues, and master the same tools and strategies aimed at fostering children’s well-being and the development of their social and cognitive skills.
- You’ll also build better relationships with parents, using concrete, useful observations related to their children’s behaviour.
Benefits for Parents
By entrusting your children to an educational daycare service using the HighScope program, your child will have every opportunity to maximize their development in the short, medium and long term.
You’ll benefit from a professional relationship with educators, equipped with the skills and tools to produce a complete educational file for your child, based on precise anecdotes gathered by the educator assigned to your child and observed in daily life.
You’ll notice the attention to detail—your family and cultural environment are integrated into your child’s daily life through photos of your occupations and you’ll appreciate the overall operational quality of the organization where you entrust your child.
Above all, you’ll ensure that your child benefits from a research-proven educational program that will maximize their development and ease the transition to elementary school.
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