What is High/Scope?
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
* The High/Scope approach is based on the central principles of the provision of a developmentally appropriate curriculum, consistent and genuine relationships with adults and the opportunity for children to engage in active learning experiences and develop initiative, decision-making and problem-solving skills, writes High/Scope UK director Joan Norris. The daily routine gives a secure base from which children can explore and experience their world. This flexible framework, transferable to many settings, will always include the Plan-Do-Review sequence.
The daily routine gives a secure base from which children can explore and experience their world. This flexible framework, transferable to many settings, will always include the Plan-Do-Review sequence.
The child will express their intentions for 'work-time' in a way that is developmentally appropriate, and will then actively engage in a number of purposeful activities, supported by the practitioner. After work time they will come together with the practitioner and be encouraged to 'review' what they have been doing.
The form of the review will be dependent on the developmental level of the child in question, but will give an opportunity for the child to reflect on what they have done and for the adult to acknowledge the action and problem solving that has taken place.
The Plan-Do-Review sequence provides children with the opportunity to think about cause and effect, to overcome problems and to work with others. The discussion gives scope for language and listening skills to develop and, as they mature, the opportunity to reflect on their experience with increasing verbal ability and logic.
The High/Scope approach has been used in the UK since the early 1980s and is practised in settings across the early years sector. There are now more than 200 High/Scope endorsed trainers and an estimated 20,000 practitioners using the method, with 250,000 children each year experiencing the approach.
More information
* High/Scope UK provides advice, training courses (including new courses for childminders and parents), and support materials such as videos, books, Child Observation Records and the core textbooks, Educating Young Children and Tender Care and Early Learning.
For further information, contact: High/Scope Institute, 192 Maple Road, London SE20 8HT, tel: 020 8676 0220, fax: 020 8659 9938.
