High/Scope encourages the children to plan their own daily activities. After completing their endeavor they are invited to discuss the results, thereby taking part in active learning, a method proven to enrich and aid their development toward responsible, capable adults.

Active learning takes place when children are encouraged to manipulate materials they select from a group of items, and use words to describe what they are doing. Teachers, whose role it is to guide the child through developmentally appropriate experiences, support and enhance the child's endeavors using both verbal and non-verbal techniques. One means of verbal support is asking open-ended questions requiring the child to think about and discuss answers. Teachers expand and enhance children's ideas by passive and active participation in play activities.

Our teachers promote the planning and following through of activities, turning ideas into reality. This process of Plan-Do- Review, fundamental to High/Scope, establishes patterns and routines proven to affect the child's ability to analyze events and attain personal goals throughout their lives. Staff builds upon this process in Small Group Time, when teachers direct activities around a developmentally appropriate Key Experiences.

In the High/Scope philosophy, the emphasis is on Active Learning with a variety of materials, both real and commercial, social interaction and conflict resolution strategies in a recreational setting. RCI believes in allowing teachers creativity in devising lesson plans and activities. Teachers base activities on children's needs and interest, with careful observation and assessment of children's interactions and abilities. Active learning will occur spontaneously in an environment enriched with materials that children can choose to manipulate in many ways; the child's natural curiosity is stimulated to ask questions and find solutions on his own with teacher support.