Learning & Development

Social and Emotional Development

Children continue to experience others with diverse attitudes and beliefs. These experiences include:

• Meeting and forming friendships with members of the opposite sex, other racial and ethnic groups, and differently-abled peers
• Adding new social rules at each stage of development, and practicing them with adults of different temperaments
• Practicing social skills such as sharing and taking turns, the give and take of conversation, listening, negotiating, and trusting others
• Developing the ability to work in groups

Approaches Toward Learning

With the help of a supportive teacher/facilitator, the primary grades are an excellent time for children to further develop the styles they most like to use to be involved and pursue their learning. Several skills can be extended while the children are actively involved in their learning:

• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Independence
• Cooperation
• Persistence

Language Development

As children learn decoding skills, they should continue to

• Express their creativity and love for language
• Expand developing literacy skills through oral language
• Read books and recite poetry
• Hear books and poetry read aloud
• Dictate or write stories (along with illustrating them)
• Engage in dramatic play, act out plays and books, using puppets and other props

Cognition and General Knowledge

In the primary grades, teachers introduce children to numbers, language, science, and social studies and other basic skills through the use of games, music, artwork, films, computers, and other tools. Children learn and apply concepts in subjects including science, mathematics, and English. Students learn to:

• Develop critical thought processes
• Solve problems
• Understand abstract concepts
• Adapt to new technology
• Interact with others
• Work in groups to discuss and solve problems together
• Logically think through problems

Physical Well-Being and Motor Development

A child's health is connected to performance in school.

• Nutrition and proper rest may have long-term effects on preparedness for school and the ability to perform well there
• Development of both large motor movements (playground activities) and small or fine motor skills (holding a pencil or placing small objects) are essential for classroom work
• Recess is an important time for children to renew their oxygen supply and release pent up emotions and energy

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