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media type="custom" key="8862004" Today’s children are thriving in a fast-paced, technology-saturated, digitally advanced, 21st Century environment. They are expected to possess higher-level thinking skills such as: critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. They must leave school prepared for a tougher job market than ever before and being able to compete in the global economy. They are technologically advanced and learn in ways we could never have imagined. School systems across the nation have recognized the need of change in the curricula that students are utilizing in order to prepare them for such competition. However, introduction of these skills should begin MUCH earlier than when the children enter school. These skills need to be introduced and utilized from birth in order to become engraved in the children as a “way of doing things”. Children need to be taught how to “think”.

My name is Pepper Dawn Martin and I currently own and operate an in-home child learning center for children ages birth to four. In addition to receiving love, safety, nurturing and basic needs the children at the center are introduced to a curricula, which provides them with the opportunities to explore and utilize higher-level thinking skills that they will need as the enter into the classroom. I am a firm believer that introducing such skills at such an early age will give the children the advantage of already possessing the necessary skills and ways of thinking to thrive in the 21st Century classrooms that they will be entering. These skills and ways of “thinking” become second nature to the children, because it is the only way they know how to solve problems…

I developed this Wiki on Wikispaces in March of 2011 as a way to share ideas and spread the knowledge of how an early learning center can effectively operate and educate children from birth. Children at the center are introduced to computers, science experiments, and problem-solving opportunities often before they can even speak clearly. They thrive from computer programs and hands-on experiences, which require them to think “outside of the box” while they are still in diapers. It is an amazing phenomenon to observe. Imagine what could occur if this ideal were carried forth across the country. Gone are the days of children sitting in front of a television absorbing garbage like sponges. At the early learning center, we strive to capture these teachable moments while the children are developing their brain patterns and learning how to “think”. I invite you to check out some of our ideas, explore our curricula, and even give some advice and ideas of your own. Much like the children are constantly changing and growing, the purpose of this Wiki is to continuously build upon ideas and concepts, provide a look into the latest in educational research, and share any ideas you have found that are working for you and your little ones. My hope is that you will enjoy this site, contribute your ideas and be inspired to reach out and provide more for your children. Let’s work together to give our smallest investment the opportunity to be their very best, while they are in their finest stages of brain development. Who knows what they results could be? The sky is the limit.