Resources

Experts support the PNS curriculum with its focus on the students’ intellectual, social and emotional development without limiting them to basic, rudimentary skills.

Harvard University, Rutgers University, Columbia University, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the State of New Jersey Department of Education recommend the PNS curriculum and approach specifically.

The No Child Left Behind Act strongly recommends that early childhood education develop literacy and numeracy skills in order to prepare children for kindergarten and elementary school. Numerous educators and researchers report the importance of this type of preschool in helping students succeed throughout school.

Listed below are resources and their recommendations. You can also borrow books from the  Parents’ Library at PNS.

The curriculum and program at PNS follows the recommendations of the State of New Jersey Department of Education Standards of Quality for Early Childhood Education. Among other specific elements, strong emphasis is placed on family involvement, multifaceted development and unstructured play time. Developing strong language, literacy, math and science skills by using the activities and methods found in the PNS program is also strongly recommended. For a complete description of their expectations visit www.state.nj.us/njded/cccs

A 2006 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says free and unstructured play is healthy and - in fact - essential for helping children reach important social, emotional and cognitive developmental milestones as well as helping them manage stress and become resilient. The PNS program implements this recommendation throughout its curriculum. For more information visit www.aap.org/pressroom.

The Harvard University Graduate School of Education has a special webpage on Early Childhood Education which contains current research and recommendations relevant to educators, parents and children. The importance of a child’s social, physical, cognitive and emotional development is emphasized in many of the articles. For more information visit www.ed.gov/teachers/how/early/edpicks.jhtml

The website for the No Child Left Behind Act has developed a section entitled “Helping Your Preschool Child” which describes numerous activities for helping young children develop the skills necessary for success throughout school and life. Parents and teachers are encouraged to read to, play with and otherwise engage the children in their lives to prepare them for a lifetime of learning. For more information visit www.ed.gov/teachers/how/early/edpicks.jhtml?src=qc

"Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids" offers parents a wealth of information, ideas, recipes and resources for keeping families physically, educationally and emotionally healthy. See the website at www.hhhkids.com

"The Savvy Source: Where parents and preschool teachers share their savviest ideas on how best to help your child learn and grow" is a website full of information, activities, resources and opinions for families with young children. For more information visit www.savvysource.com.