D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center to Provide Montessori Curriculum Plus Traditional Educational Offerings
Center Now Open for Childcare & Summer Programs; Fall Registration Underway
We all learn at our own pace. When it comes to children, some learn best in a group setting, while others advance better through individual initiative and creativity.
To impact and educate all children in the method that is best suited for them, Gwinnett Technical College’s new D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center will offer a Montessori class in addition to traditional classroom structure.
The Hudgens Early Education Center is now open for infant and toddler childcare and summer programs for pre-schoolers. Georgia Pre-K and before- and after-school care will begin on August 14, when the private pre-school and Montessori classes begin their academic year as well. The Center is located at 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, on the campus of Gwinnett Technical College.
Becky Olson, director of curriculum at the Hudgens Early Education Center on Gwinnett Tech’s campus, says that the Montessori classroom will have an “extensive collection of learning materials that match the developmental capabilities, interests and needs of the children enrolled in the class. In addition to various modes of learning and discovery, a minimum of two continuous hours of work time will be provided each day. Two hours of work time allows a child to immerse themselves in an activity and see it through without interruption. This is an important aspect of the Montessori philosophy.”
The Montessori philosophy to teaching is named for Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian educator who in the early 1900’s advocated for a child-centered approach to education. The Montessori method acknowledges that children learn at different rates, and therefore, emphasizes the uniqueness of each child’s needs and talents in their educational development.
“The Montessori approach is a valuable teaching method that more and more parents are finding works best for their children,” Olson said. “We are pleased to be offering an array of educational options that will touch a wide audience with varying needs.”
The Hudgens Early Education Center will be a learning environment for a total of 215 children, including two state-licensed Pre-K classes. The Montessori classroom will have 20 children aged 3-5 years with two teachers.
The 26,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will provide students studying early childhood education a hands-on experience in a quality learning environment, as well as serve as a nurturing educational center for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. Early Childhood Education students from Gwinnett Tech will be able to observe and participate in three different philosophy/curriculum models at the center: Montessori, High Scope and Creative Curriculum. Exposure to various models will best prepare GTC students to work in a variety of child care settings.
In addition to the Montessori program, the Center will also provide infant, toddler, preschool and before- and after-school care, plus a Pre-Kindergarten program, following the National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC) accreditation standards. All programs will support each individual child through active learning opportunities throughout the day provided in a warm and nurturing environment.
To learn more about the D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center or the Open Houses, call 770-685-1250 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu. To pre-register a child for the Center, log on to www.GwinnettTech.edu/heec.
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