¡INSPIRE! Bilingual Early Learning Center is a Bilingual program that embraces the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, located in the heart of Taos, New Mexico, serving children ages 3-5.
Mission Statement
¡INSPIRE! Bilingual Early Learning Center upholds a respectful image of each child having the potential to be creative, competent and capable. Through respect and commitment to our tri-cultural community of Taos, New Mexico, we are committed to providing quality bilingual education for every child, based on an in depth understanding of each child’s family history and cultural values.
Educational Philosophy
Play is a child’s work. Early childhood teachers’ work involves understanding, encouraging, and facilitating play in young children’s lives. Our teachers consider the most current understanding of child development, children’s learning styles, developmentally appropriate activities, experiential learning, multiculturalism and performance-based assessment in creating curriculum for the children. Our curriculum is child-centered and interest based, allowing children to develop a love of learning and confidence in their ability to learn. Encouraged to think independently and creatively, the children know that they are respected and valued as autonomous and unique. As a Reggio inspired program we embrace the following principles:
- Children must have some control over the direction of their learning;
- Children must be able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing, and hearing;
- Children have a relationship with other children and with material items in the world that children must be allowed to explore and
- Children must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.
Role of Bilingual Education as a reflection of Culture and Community
Language is a reflection of the culture and values at home and within a community. The predominant languages not only in Taos, New Mexico, but in the United States are Spanish and English, and thus the focus of our bilingual program. Bilingual acquisition is complex. In comparison with monolingual children who usually learn language from their parents, bilingual
