Emphasis in PIP is on the importance of play to encourage positive parent-child interactions and to foster growth in all areas, including language and cognition. The nursery program serves toddlers and young children and also follows the Reggio Emilia philosophy. These children are learning how to become independent in many of their self-help skills as well as beginning to learn social skills allowing them to work, learn, and play with their peers. They are busy building their language and knowledge of their immediate world. Children in the preschool and kindergarten classrooms spend much time on conflict resolution skills, emergent literacy, and developing projects.
Children work in their journals by drawing pictures and using inventive spelling.
The children use manipulatives and real objects to learn number concepts. They explore the world around them, connecting science, social studies, and literacy subjects. Parents are always encouraged to be involved and are informed about school through newsletters, daily logs, and parent gatherings. Visual phonics is offered for families and students who are interested. Copyright 1999 Gallaudet University Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center 800 Florida Ave.