Core Body of Knowledge: Core Beliefs

• 1

  Children are born ready to learn.

  
  
• 2

  Every human being is a unique individual, with diverse modes of learning and expression as well as interests and strengths.

  
  
• 3

  Children are worthy of the same respect as adults.

  
  
• 4

  Children's needs for shelter and for physical, intellectual, emotional, and social nourishment must be met for them to grow, develop, and learn to their fullest potential.

  
  
• 5

  Children have the right to secure, trusting relationships with adults and to safe, nurturing environments

  
  
• 6

  Children learn through play.

  
  
• 7

  Children construct their own knowledge based on their curiosity and driven by their interactions. This active construction is facilitated by interaction with adults and other children.

  
  
• 8

  Children's learning is active and follows a recurring path: awareness, exploration, inquiry and application.

  
  
• 9

  Children learn best when exposed to and engaged in high-quality environments, interactionsm, and relationships.

  
  
• 10

  Children learn best when adults in their lives work in partnership with one another.

  
  
• 11

  All children and their families, regardless of their ethnic origins, value systems, faiths, customs, languages, and compositions, must be equally respected.

  
  
• 12

  Families and children have the right to support systems that foster their growth and development.

  
  
• 13

  Teaching and learning are dynamic, integrated, and reciprocal processes.