Important Update
Gesell Institute for Early Childhood Learning
Gesell at UWSP is no longer an active preschool and 4-year-old kindergarten site.
For more information, visit the Stevens Point Area Public School District 4K program.
Stay tuned for updates about the future of the Gesell Institute at UW-Stevens Point.
4K Guiding Principles
“To provide equal access to quality early childhood learning experiences for all children.”
We Believe …
For collaborative community based early childhood programs to be successful, we believe …
- Quality education occurs in safe facilitative environments
- Young children learn best in play-based classrooms with developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum (e.g. The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards)
- In teaching to the whole child (cognitive, physical, social, emotional)
- Literacy is at the core of quality instructional programming
- That teachers must respect the individuality of each child by appreciating their unique style and rate of learning
- Early childhood classrooms should be inclusive with early identification and intervention for children with special needs
- Parent/Community involvement is essential for successful programs
- Early learning environments are best when supporting consistent care while minimizing transitions
- Diversity within children and families builds a stronger learning community
- Early education is strengthened through offering comprehensive services such as family support and education, resource & referral, on-going assessment, and transportation
Program Philosophy
The program is developmentally based, utilizing several principles set forth by Arnold Gesell.
- All children proceed through the same sequence of development, but all vary in rates of development.
- There is an inner timetable which determines the child’s rate of development. Trying to teach activities ahead of that timetable will at best result in only minor, temporary growth.
- A favorable environment helps to insure the realization of a child’s potential.
- Each child is unique in temperament and growth style. The culture should try to adjust to each child’s uniqueness.
Other theories upon which the program draws include those of Erik Erikson, Lev Vygotsky, and Jean Piaget. These theories provide us with a set of developmental expectations which allow us to plan appropriate activities and develop behavioral guidelines for children
Rose and Don Petersen Hands-on Learning Lab
Students at the Gesell Institute now have a space where they can learn about the importance of food from growing their own garden to preparing meals in a kitchen.
Education is made fun when taught through foods. The Rose and Don Petersen Hands-On Learning Lab promotes positive growth through activities such as:
- writing and following recipes
- measuring ingredients
- exploring the science of growing foods
- creating food-related artwork
- experiencing new foods
- learning about healthy eating and the farm-to-school movement
Rose ’57 and Don Petersen were instrumental in the redesign of the Gesell Institute and creating the Rose and Don Petersen Hands-on Learning Lab. Learn more about Rose’s legacy or find out how you can make a gift to support the Gesell program.
