ABOUT
USThe Anna Bing Arnold Children's Center is located on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State L.A.). Since its beginning in 1968 the Children's Center has offered a quality childcare and education program for children from two to five years of age. The Children's Center is licensed by the State of California Department of Social Services and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It is the mission of the Children's Center to provide an enriched developmental childcare and education program for use by students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
The Center also offers a range of interdisciplinary opportunities for observation, fieldwork, and research for Cal State L.A. students and faculty.
OUR
PHILOSOPHYThe
educational philosophy of the Anna Bing Arnold Children's Center is based
on the belief that each child is unique and deserves respect, consistency,
caring, and challenge as they grow. Further,
we believe that:
Children develop at their own pace.
They do not acquire knowledge by force.
They are motivated by their own desire to make sense of their
world.
Children learn through interaction with the materials and people in
their environment. Play provides this interaction and is the natural mode of
learning for the young child.
Children learn self discipline as they learn respect for
themselves, others, and their environment.
Pride in their abilities, family, and culture adds to their
developing self esteem.
Children need a balanced program which fosters independence,
choice, and challenge. They also need structure and well defined limits in order to
feel secure.
Young
children's developmental tasks are to build trust, learn social skills,
begin mastery of academic skills, and develop positive self esteem.
These tasks are best supported by a program that provides
developmentally appropriate activities, well trained and consistent staff,
and a safe and healthy learning environment.
