CDC Philosophy

Philosophy

The Los Angeles Community College District Child Development Center’s philosophy, curriculum and goals are based on the following tenets:

• Childhood is the most important time in one’s life, as it sets the pathway; it is not to be hurried or short changed.
• A child has rights and is to be respected.
• A child is valued as an individual, and therefore, a child’s learning pace is respected.
• A child is an individual, creative, and capable of problem-solving.
• Teaching must build on the child’s developmental level.
• Learning should be enjoyable.
• A child benefits from developmentally appropriate stimulation and learning experiences.
• Children need to be interactive in their environment and have hands-on experiences.
• Play is the most important way in which a child learns.
• A child learns from parents, peers, teachers, and self-discovery of pride in one’s self, family and community. A child must experience life in a genuine and worthwhile way.
• A child needs to develop a healthy self-esteem, develop competencies, which help him/her to feel confident and self-reliant, and develop a strong sense community.