Development and learning occur in and are influenced by multiple social and cultural contexts. Children are active learners who draw on physical and social experiences as well as culturally transmitted knowledge to construct their understandings of their world. Development and learning are a result of the interaction of individual children's biological maturation and environment. Play serves as an important vehicle for and reflection of children's social, emotional, and cognitive development. Children's development is advanced by opportunities to practice newly acquired skills and experience challenges just beyond their level of present mastery.
Children demonstrate different ways of knowing, learning, and representing what they know.
Children develop and learn best in the context of a community where they are safe and valued, and their physical and psychological needs are met. This page last modified on March 22, 2001. All Rights Reserved.