Our Philosophy
Growing Years Children’s Academy is a non-profit, faith-based early childhood school dedicated to growing the next generation to positively impact human flourishing. Based on the truth that every person is valued by God, our mission is to provide a warm and safe learning environment where children feel loved. Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners at our schools have rich, evidence-based learning opportunities that are designed to foster the whole-child as we promote their sense of self-worth during their most foundational years. Statement of Faith
We believe that children in the toddler to kindergarten years learn best through play and experiential learning. This is why our developmentally-appropriate teaching approach emphasizes play in our outdoor classrooms as well as teacher-facilitated learning centers in our indoor classrooms. Young minds at our schools also engage in the education and everyday application of virtues as they grow in character and learn to appreciate each other, their families, and their communities. Children have an innate ability for language acquisition in the early years, so we also integrate opportunities to learn second and third languages into our high-quality curriculum. We value working in partnership with our parents, encourage family involvement, and provide parenting support because we firmly believe that successful child rearing depends on strong family-school partnerships.
Multiple Intelligences
According to Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are more intelligences than just IQ and EQ. Children’s natural giftedness are often unveiled during their early childhood years. Our teaching approach integrates diverse learning experiences that address all of the intelligences to promote the discovery and enhancement of our children’s individual gifts and talents.
8 Learning Environments
Early childhood is unique in that children experience rapid cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical growth during their early years of life. We ensure that our children begin and progress through their journey at Growing Years Children’s Academy in the most optimal, developmentally-appropriate learning environment as they progress through the developmental stages. Eight indoor classrooms distinctively support and celebrate the abilities and growth of children at specific developmental phases while allowing fluidity during transitions between one learning environment to the next.
Zone of Proximal Development
According to Lev Vygotsky, children develop and learn to advance to the next level when they have just enough challenge. Within the security of relationships with loving and competent teachers, our children fully experience the collaborative nature of learning and constructing knowledge through social interactions with their teachers and peers.
Influences of Teaching and Parenting Styles on IQ, EQ, AQ, and SQ
Effective teaching and parenting requires attention to children’s potentials in more than just the intelligence quotient (IQ) - learning potential and already accumulated knowledge.
Emotional quotient (EQ) is the potential to recognize and manage emotions personally and interpersonally. Adversity quotient (AQ), an important concept in today’s world, refers to capabilities for human effectiveness, such as persistence in overcoming challenges and resilience. According to Paul Stoltz, AQ types can be classified by levels of persistence as quitters, campers, and climbers. Academically, appropriate levels of challenge nurture the AQ of students and prevent boredom in learning.
The intersection of IQ, EQ, and AQ - mind, emotion, will - establishes the ideal learning and growth environment within the context of an authoritative teaching and parenting style. Spiritual quotient (SQ) is connected to purpose, the capability of discriminating between right and wrong, and the life of the spirit. Understanding and nurturing these quotients are important aspects in equipping young children for star performance and success in life.
