PROMISE Preschool Core Principles are uniquely developed for preschool, in alignment with the PROMISE vision and core principles for K-12 education, and are based on research and best practices.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: Enriched and affirming learning environment – The program creates a safe, affirming and enriched environment for children’s social and emotional development. The program is not a skills-based program like kindergarten, but is designed to be developmentally appropriate for dual language preschoolers. A variety of developmentally appropriate enriched activities and approaches are used to enable children to develop competencies in the major areas of development: cognitive (preliteracy, prenumeracy, sorting, reasoning skills, creativity, imagination), social, physical, and language. The home language(s) and culture(s) of the children are evident in the preschool classroom and bilingualism is enhanced through use of the home language in the classroom.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: Challenging and relevant curriculum, appropriate instructional materials, and effective instructional practices - The program develops a strong foundation in the home language with exposure to oral English language development. While students learn the social language necessary to communicate with others, they also learn the language of literacy, thinking, math and science through developmentally appropriate activities. A wide variety of activities provide children with opportunities to explore, imagine, and create. High quality multicultural and bilingual resources are included, and teachers use practices that help children understand the language of interactions and the concepts being communicated.
FAMILY: Powerful family engagement - The program views parents as important collaborators in promoting children’s development; a variety of activities include parents as decision makers and participants; and parents are provided opportunities for learning how to become more involved with their children’s learning.
ASSESSMENT: Valid and comprehensive assessment – The program includes assessment that is developmentally and linguistically appropriate for English learning preschool children.