Cal State University Bakersfield Children's Center

The Center’s philosophy is based on the values and beliefs as to what constitutes a quality child development program. A quality child development program provides a safe healthy and nurturing environment that facilities the physical-motor social-emotional intellectual and language development of young children and responds to the needs of the student families served.
Teachers utilize child development theory and practice to identify the range of appropriate behaviors activities and materials for infant-toddlers and preschool aged children. The teachers plan with understanding about individual children’s growth patterns interest and experiences to design a quality age and developmental appropriate learning environment.
Children must be provided with an atmosphere that fosters each child’s’ self-esteem which permeates all areas of development. This includes promoting a sense of belonging and love; and promoting a sense of accomplishment and achievement (“I can do it”). Both of these help to set a tone of being “winners”.
Children learn by doing. Play is the vehicle by which children progress along the developmental continuum from the sensory-motor intelligence of infancy to preoperational thought in the preschool years. Therefore child initiated child directed teacher supported play is an essential component of developmentally appropriate practice. Teachers are observant of and responsive to what children’s interests are. Teachers are viewed as facilitators resource persons or guides. The teacher prepares the learning environment so that it provides stimulating and challenging materials and activities for the children. Then the teacher closely observes what the children understand then pose additional challenges to progress their development to the next stage.

The age and developmental needs of toddlers and preschoolers translates into program goals for curriculum development. The infant-toddler environment encourages children to learn to feel safe and secure to develop close trusting relationships with caregivers to seek and enjoy new experiences and to explore being with other children. For the older preschool child the learning environment provides greater emphasis in skill development.