Innovative Developmental Enriched Active Learning

The IDEAL Preschool is an academic program that is designed by owner Wendy Soderman.  The curriculum encompasses current brain research and is based on Dr. Howard Gardner’s (Harvard University Professor of Cognition and Education) Theory of Multiple Intelligence.

At IDEAL Preschool each child is a unique individual who is valued for his/her individuality.  At IDEAL Preschool the students spend their time doing relevant activities called Performance of Understanding that require higher and critical thinking skills such as explaining, making generalizations, classifying and ultimately transferring and applying understanding independently.  The program is activity based to ensure learning is both engaging and relevant for a young student. The preschool students learn through small inquiry groups, whole class multiple intelligence lessons and independent “discovery” centers. The multiple intelligence lessons are theatrical shows led by the teachers who are actors in costumed character.

At IDEAL the students “own their knowledge”.  The philosophy of early childhood education at IDEAL Preschool concurs with Dr. Gardner’s definition of intelligence as the ability to use learned information to find and solve problems and create relevant products (visible understanding of learned concepts).

Theory of Multiple Intelligence

Multiple Intelligence is cognitive theory that states that each student has varying levels of the 8 intelligences and thus each student uses a unique cognitive profile to learn.
These intelligences are:

• verbal/linguistic……………….word smart
• logical/mathematical……….logical/math smart
• visual/spatial…………………..art/space smart
• musical/rhythmic……………..music smart
• bodily kinesthetic……………..body smart
• natural intelligence…………..nature smart
• interpersonal…………………..people smart
• intrapersonal…………………..self smart

Minds On (purpose) to Hands On
Activities = Performances of Understanding

Thinking Skills
IDEAL Performances of Understanding

At IDEAL all information is taught using the eight intelligences.  Not all students know, understand, and learn in the same way!  Research shows that the more we can match students to congenial approaches of teaching learning and assessing the more likely it is that these students will achieve educational success (understanding).

Rather than a single generalized ability called “intelligence,” IDEAL believes that all children possess multiple intelligences (MI).  IDEAL believes that intelligence is not fixed.  In fact, recent brain research now proves that intelligence can be strengthened and that stronger intelligences may be used to strengthen weaker ones.  Not all students know, understand, and learn in the same way.  Each student possesses all eight intelligences and it is IDEAL’s goal to develop each intelligence to its full potential. Therefore, IDEAL’s philosophy of education focuses not only on how “smart” a child is but rather how is the child “smart”.

THE STUDENTS at IDEAL are treated with RESPECT and LOVE.  They are encouraged to make their OWN DECISIONS and are taught that they are RESPONSIBLE for the choices THEY MAKE.  Students are MOTIVATED with genuine PRAISE and ENCOURAGEMENT rather that external rewards.  The goal at IDEAL is for students to develop an intrinsic passion for knowledge and to learn for understanding.

 View Our Preschool Brochure            View Preschool Lesson Videos