54 Part One The Children and You
Education
The curriculum in a Head Start
program is designed to meet the
needs of each child. One goal is
to build self-esteem that will lead
to future success in school. Staff
encourage self-confi curiosity, fidence,
and self-discipline.
A variety of learning experiences
are designed to meet the children’s
needs in all four areas of development.
Staff and the child’s entire family work
as a team to plan curriculum and teach
children. Parent involvement is the
heart of the program.
On preschool achievement tests,
Head Start children perform equal
to or better than their peers. Once
they enter school, these children are
more likely to be successful.
Nutrition
Many children who take part in
Head Start do not receive nutritious
meals at home. Nutrition then is
a vital part of the program, 2-4.
Federal rules require the center to
provide at least one snack and one
hot meal every day. The nutrition
program serves foods that reflectfl
the child’s ethnic and cultural
preferences. The goal is to help
children make healthful food choices
and develop good eating habits.
Health
All children who attend a
Head Start program are given a
total health plan. Dental, medical,
and mental health services are
provided. Prior to enrollment,
many of these children have never
visited a dentist. Children who have
not already received childhood
immunizations are given them
while they are enrolled.
Parental Involvement
Head Start recognizes the parent
as the child’s fi rst teacher. Supporting fi
parental involvement is vital to
the program’s success. Parents are
encouraged to help recruit new
children, assist in the center, and take
part in policy meetings. Thus, Head
Start parents are able to influencefl
administrative decisions.
Kindergarten
In 1837, the first kindergarten fi
was opened by Frederick Froebel
in Germany. The kindergarten
curriculum stressed play. Froebel
believed that self-development took
place through creative activities
such as play. The children in this
kindergarten, like many today,
engaged in painting, stringing
beads, blockbuilding, and clay
modeling. The children also cared
for pets, sang songs, and gardened.
The fi rst American kindergarten fi
was opened in Watertown,
A A A A well-organized, we ll -o rg an iz ed sanitary sa ni ta ry k k itchen it ch en i i s s an an i i mportant mp or ta nt
link in providing sound nutrition for children.
A A
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2-4