Each person - parent and child – is unique and learns in his/her own way and own pace.
To understand and respect these differences is important.
Each person learns best in an environment that is safe physically, socially and emotionally.
Little Hands
Philosophy
The Story of Little Hands
Little Hands began in 1975 with just a handful of families. At the time, many of these families were attending Carlmont Parents Nursery School (CPNS) with children who were between three to five years old. These families recognized the need for a pre-school for younger siblings. Nancy Forbes, then a CPNS teacher, embraced the idea and founded Little Hands. Little Hands was officially incorporated in 1978 when it began operating out of the same space we rent today from the Church of the Good Shepherd. We now serve over 200 families throughout the peninsula each year.
Why Co-Op?
Co-ops provide several advantages. Most importantly, they are community-building. Co-ops are parent-run, so in joining one, parents become an integral part of their co-op’s community. Parents forge strong friendships through the jobs the perform to support the school and as they participate in class each week. Parents practice their parenting skills and learn in a hands-on environment. They learn from those around them and are supported by the teachers on the playground and in teacher lead discussions.
Through guided observations, co-ops give parents an opportunity to regularly observe their child’s interactions and behaviors as they explore their world through play. Parents also practice the important skill of separation from their child. Both parents and children learn to trust other parents as they move throughout the school. Finally, co-ops are less expensive than drop-off programs because parents give their time to run the school.
Why Play-Based?
“Play – what we call ‘floortime,’ which is getting on the floor and being imaginative with your children – that is what teaches your child to be creative. It teaches them to think.” (-Stanley Greenspan)
". . .each time one prematurely teaches a child something he could have discovered for himself, that child is kept from inventing it and, consequently, from understanding it completely." (-Jean Piaget)
Research shows that children learn by doing and through play. Little Hands emphasizes this type of play-based learning, by encouraging children to actively investigate different stations (water, gravel, paint, play dough, climbing structures, dress up, music) for themselves. A child’s inborn curiosity guides them to choose activities which interest them; they thus discover things on their own, which enables them to understand them more completely.
Virtual Tour
Tour Little Hands online. See what it’s like to be at Little Hands!
Little Hands' Philosophy
From the beginning, Little Hands has been committed to providing education to parents and encouraging parents to get involved in their children’s early education. Both are crucial to a child’s success.
Little Hands philosophy boils down to three core beliefs:
Our goal is to create the safe environment where parents and children can learn and grow together. The Little Hands philosophy has remained constant over twenty-five years and is the key to the program’s success.
Little Hands is partially funded through the Sequoia Adult School and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, thus the parents are the students.
All Little Hands teachers hold California teaching credentials and degrees in early childhood education or related field, and were almost all parents at Little Hands themselves.
