Introduction
Guiding Principles
To assure alignment, the Core Beliefs of the New York State CBK serve as the guiding principles for the New York State Early Learning Guidelines. These principles guide a shared vision of quality for early childhood educators in New York State.
- Children are born ready to learn.
- Every human being is a unique individual, with diverse modes of learning and expression, as well as interests and strengths.
- Children are worthy of the same respect as adults.
- 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.
- Children have the right to secure, trusting relationships with adults and to safe, nurturing environments.
- Children learn through play.
- Children construct their own knowledge based on their curiosity and driven by their interests. This active construction is facilitated by interaction with adults and other children.
- Children’s learning is active and follows a recurring path: awareness, exploration, inquiry, and application.
- Children learn best when exposed to and engaged in high-quality environments, interactions, and relationships.
- Children learn best when adults in their lives work in partnership with one another.
- Children and families of all ethnic origins, value systems, faiths, customs, languages, and compositions must be equally respected.
- Families and children have the right to support systems that foster their growth and development.
- Teaching and learning are dynamic, integrated, and reciprocal processes.