The Goddard School Provides Fun Learning Experiences
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Photography Provided
The Goddard School provides fun learning experiences for students. This means each individual age group meets curricular goals through play-based activities.
Students are playing and learning at the same time, says Robert Cummins, on-site owner of The Goddard School of Avon.
As they go from classroom to classroom, students build upon learning experiences so that by the time they graduate from Goddard, they are prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
The curriculum is play-based because children learn best when theyre having fun, Cummins says.
Teachers map out the day before students arrive. With Goddards flexible curriculum, teachers also build in time for children to explore on their own.
Serving infants through age 6, the schools teacher-to-infant ratio is 1:4, teacher-to-toddler ratio is 1:5, teacher-to-2.5- to 3-year-old ratio is 1:7, and teacher-to-preschooler ratio is 1:10. The actual classroom numbers are doubled because the school has two teachers per class.
Cummins, who has a degree in marine science, was halfway through a graduate program in environmental education when he began working in the business world. He was a plant manager, a project manager and a corporate quality assurance manager when, 12 years ago, the opportunity presented itself to open The Goddard School of Avon.
Being an on-site owner at Goddard enables him to get to know the families.
We had a little boy whose mom recently had another baby – he was struggling with not feeling as important, so he came here for extra TLC, says Cummins, who made the boy his helper for the morning. We read books, and he pressed the buttons on the copy machine for me. He appreciated that one-on-one attention.
In addition to teaching math, literacy and handwriting skills, the staff also teaches Spanish, sign language and yoga. The yoga helps with self-control and calmness, and the sign language helps younger children who dont yet have the verbal skills to communicate. At Goddard, the staff also teaches manners.
Social-emotional learning is a main focus of our curriculum, says Cummins, who loves watching children grow in all stages of development throughout a six-year stretch.
Thats a special treat to see that happen, Cummins says. I look forward to another 12 years.
The Goddard School of Avon is located at 8547 East U.S. Highway 36. For more information, give them a call at 317-272-1337 or visit them online at goddardschool.com.
