EArly Learning Centers of LUBBOCK AVOIDS tv trends found in recent study

According to a recent study in Pediatrics, the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an alarming number of home-based and center based childcare facilities allow children to watch TV daily.  However the Early Learning Centers of Lubbock (ELC) believes this time is better spent actively learning.  

“Early learning experiences are crucial to the growth and development of young children,” said Joanne Cotter, Executive Director of the Early Learning Centers.  “You can’t substitute the hands on learning experiences we provide with watching someone do it on television.  You miss out on the sensory, cognitive, social and emotional experiences.  This is why we are a high quality educational program.” 

Infant and toddlers, enrolled at ELC, have individualized lesson plans.  Lesson plans for preschool children use a combination of High Scope, High Reach, the DLM and a partnership with LISD.  This partnership has ELC preschool teacher’s team teaching with certified teachers from LISD, ensuring that each child is Kindergarten ready when they leave ELC.  

“There isn’t time to watch TV at Early Learning Centers,” said Lena Scaff, Associate Director of ELC.  “Each age group has a curriculum and lessons to complete daily.  Infant and toddler teachers assess each child’s development monthly and our preschool teachers assess their children quarterly.  The teacher’s use the assessments to create the next set of lesson plans based on where the child is developmentally and to evaluate each child’s individual progress.  If we see a delay we contact agencies like Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and work with them to help catch the children back up to their peers. This way they are on target when they leave us to attend Kindergarten.”

 The Early Learning Centers of Lubbock believes that the highest quality child care should be available to all children regardless of their income or family situation.  Since l951, Early Learning Centers of Lubbock has served area families by providing quality childcare at an affordable rate.  Early Learning Centers is a United Way Partner Agency and fees are based on the family’s household income.  For more information please contact us at 806-765-9981.