Summary Of The High/Scope Foundation

Summaries

The High/Scope Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1970 for children in their early years (infant-preschool) and they follow a Plan-Do-Review model. (HighScope Educational Research Foundation, 2016). The expectations for this model are for the group to meet at the beginning of the day to discuss what activities the children have planned for their day, then the children go and do their activities and finally at the end of the day, the group meets once again to reflect over what activities the children did and how they may have enhanced their learning from those activities. The High/Scope Foundation’s main focus is to provide a hand’s on experience for the children and have them follow their interest. The

Both models provide children with opportunities to explore and plan their own activities. I personally feel this is a great approach to use because each child is unique in their own way and each child has a different interest, although there may be times when most children show interest in one activity. This also helps children gain confidence in their decisions and feel respected. Many children are told what to do and what not to do on a daily basis, however providing them with an opportunity to plan their own activities and explore whatever they choose to explore, helps them know they are important people and they do have a say in certain areas. Another similarity between the two models is the educator’s role. In both models, the educator is a guide who constantly interacts with the children and provides them with opportunities to follow their interests. Lastly, both models put a lot of importance on documentation. However, the High/Scope Foundation has the Key Development Indicators, daily anecdotals and child observation records that are done once a year. (Georgy et al., 2016). Whereas the Reggio Emilia model puts the importance of documenting the children’s thoughts and ideas. Also, the High/Scope Foundation follows a Plan-Do-Review model (Georgy et al., 2016) and Reggio Emilia does not. I think the model the High/Scope Foundation follows provides a great opportunity for children to reflect on what they did throughout the day and also realize how much they may have enhanced their learning. Another difference between both the models is the classroom environment. The High/Scope Foundation is set up as a childcare centre and they are very focused on the different learning areas in the room, whereas the Reggio Emilia Approach has a homelike environment. For myself, I would prefer the homelike environment, especially for young children who may not be used to staying away