What does the High/Scope approach emphasize in child learning?

The High/Scope approach emphasizes active involvement with materials and ideas as a fundamental component of child learning. This method encourages children to engage directly with their environment, explore various concepts, and interact with both peers and adults through hands-on experiences. By prioritizing active participation, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and independence.

This approach also fosters an inquiry-based learning environment, where children learn through discovery and experimentation rather than through passive observation or uniform activities. Such active engagement helps educators tailor learning experiences to each child's unique interests and developmental pace, supporting individualized learning pathways.

In contrast to the emphasis on active involvement, passive observation, uniform activities, and exclusively adult-led instruction do not align with the High/Scope philosophy. These methods tend to limit children's agency and exploration, which are central to effectively promoting their cognitive and social development.