According to Baldwin, concepts are ideas such as big and biggest, small and smallest, and learning about different colors and shapes. She checks with different kindergarten teachers to see what the children need to know when they enter the school system, and tries to include that information in the curriculum. Learning is the core concept of this class , and the high school students are also learning about pre-schoolers, and how they think and learn. Baldwin said that the high school students take a theory class that teaches them what to expect, how a child progresses, cognitive learning and about special needs children. Their experience in the Surestart program helps them put those theoretical lessons into practice.
Strong bonds develop between the older and younger students.
The high school kids do a good job. The high school students, who are in Child Care II, wait for their young charges every morning. Before the pre-schoolers arrive, the students clean and straighten the child care room, paying attention to the slightest detail. This extra attention that at-risk children receive helps alleviate later concerns such as speech and behavioral problems, Baldwin said. Cassie Dawson, one of the Child Care II students, said the program has taught her some valuable lessons about small children.