Opening the World of Learning(OWL) is a comprehensive early literacy program designed for use with preschoolers. OWL's curriculum and instructional strategies are also consistent with state preschool standards and the draft version of the new National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. OWL's goal is to ensure that teachers help all children achieve standards in language, literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, creative arts, motor skills, social competence, and emotional regulation.
The ultimate goal of early childhood education is to set children on a course to lifelong success as learners and citizens,To achieve this goal, children must not only acquire the foundations that will help ensure academic success, but also build the personal and social skills required to function well in a classroom community, and to establish positive relationships with peers and adults. OWL builds these early academic and social skills by:
The ultimate goal of early childhood education is to set children on a course to lifelong success as learners and citizens,To achieve this goal, children must not only acquire the foundations that will help ensure academic success, but also build the personal and social skills required to function well in a classroom community, and to establish positive relationships with peers and adults. OWL builds these early academic and social skills by:
- enabling teachers to teach all concepts and skills associated with oral language and literacy using strategies consistent with current research. It systematically supports knowledge related to the "code," such as alphabet knowledge, early writing, and phonemic awareness.
- supporting language skills throughout the day by helping teachers to identify and reinforce vocabulary and strengthen conversation skills.
- building children's mathematical knowledge across the full range of concepts and skills identified by research as foundational to later mathematical competence, including number concepts, basic computation, geometry and measurement.
- addressing standards in a variety of content areas.
- providing a range of opportunities for children to develop the social skills required in a variety of settings.
- offering activities that help children become aware of their feelings and those of others.
- encouraging the teaching and practice of social skills and skills helpful for regulating behavior in the face of strong emotions.
- supporting children's sense of competence, curiosity, and creativity through experiences that involve creative exploration, discovery, and imaginative play.
- presenting children with many opportunities to experience success through both individual effort and guided practice in contexts where adults provide necessary scaffolding.