Highscope - What Is It?

Since the 1970’s, Highscope has been used throughout the world. It's aim being to make well-rounded, confident children who value themselves, their opinions, as well as respecting others and the community they live in.

Children are encouraged to help make deliberate choices about their activities, to carry out their own plans and then discuss outcomes with the adults and the other children. They talk about projects and activities they wish to do and then decide which materials they will need and how to go about doing the work they have set themselves. Adults guide play but are not dominant.

In each session every child participates in a cycle of "plan-do-review". The adults help the child to choose what to do, carry out the plans and then to reflect on why some things went right and others went wrong. The "review" part helps children to focus on their activities and see how they might develop and expand on what they have done. Reviewing is also a social experience, which enables the children to join in evaluating their work.

Children, who plan for themselves, see that they can make things happen. They begin to view themselves as people who can decide and act on their own decisions; they have some control over their own activities. If a child is feeling “high” or quiet, or silly he or she can plan activities that channel these feelings. An Adult can help the child to recognise moods and plan appropriate activities.

Such opportunities for learning and development are based on stable, caring relationships, regular observation, and ongoing assessment.