For over 20 years, the educational approach at Sharon Baptist Head Start Pre-K in Bronx, NY has been grounded in the Creative Curriculum model. We take pride in fostering an environment that is culturally, socially, and emotionally responsive.
Creative Curriculum helps guide our understanding that every child has unique learning differences that must be recognized to support effective development. It equips our staff with strategies to teach intentionally and responsively. The curriculum also informs how we design classroom environments, daily routines, and practices that positively influence children’s social and emotional growth.
Our team is committed to building trusting relationships with each child and family while creating a positive classroom community where every voice is valued. We support children’s behavior using developmentally appropriate strategies such as redirection, offering choices, involving children in rule-setting, and teaching conflict resolution skills. We also honor each family’s beliefs, cultural practices, and traditions, encouraging parents to visit our Child Day Care Center to share their culture with both children and staff.
Supporting Dual-Language Learners
At Sharon Baptist Head Start, we support dual-language learners by valuing each child’s home or dominant language while encouraging continued development alongside learning English as a second language. Since many children speak English or Spanish, each classroom includes at least one teacher or assistant fluent in both languages.
Our staff also represents a variety of additional languages, including French, Twi, Gaa, Haitian Creole, and Garifuna. Classroom materials and objects are labeled in the languages spoken by the children, and books are provided in appropriate languages. Whenever possible, developmental screenings are conducted in each child’s home language, with translators available when needed.
What Are the Benefits of Our Program?
This program supports meaningful learning and development by:
- Encouraging inclusive classroom environments
- Supporting the growth of home languages
- Promoting family engagement and cultural sharing
- Applying positive behavior support strategies
- Building emotionally supportive classroom settings
These elements reflect our commitment to providing high-quality education in the Bronx, New York.
Our Journey With Conscious Discipline
In the summer of 2015, Sharon Baptist Head Start began a transformative journey aimed at reshaping its educational approach. All staff members—including custodians, cooks, educators, social service personnel, and administrators—participated in a four-day Conscious Discipline training. This experience highlighted how school climate directly influences achievement. A school’s culture can either contribute to negative behaviors such as bullying and division or promote cooperation, responsibility, and positive relationships among both children and adults.
Conscious Discipline explains that traditional classroom models have often followed a “factory” mindset, focusing on standardization through rewards and punishments. However, research and experience emphasize the need for a new approach to create safe, supportive, and effective learning environments.
Creating the “School Family”
Following this training, Sharon Baptist Head Start implemented the concept of a “School Family.” This approach focuses on strengthening connections between families and schools, teachers and colleagues, educators and students, and among students themselves to support overall development.
These connections foster three essential components of school success:
- Willingness to learn: A sense of belonging encourages children to engage willingly, transforming interactions into meaningful learning experiences.
- Impulse control: Strong relationships help develop self-regulation skills, reducing disruptive behaviors and promoting positive actions.
- Attention: A supportive, low-stress environment enhances focus, allowing children to engage more effectively in learning.
The School Family model is reinforced through consistent routines, meaningful rituals, and structured practices. It represents a shift away from fear-based or reward-driven systems toward an approach centered on intrinsic motivation, collaboration, problem-solving, and meaningful connections within the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shaping Young Minds Through Early Education
Give your child the opportunity to develop in a safe, engaging, and inclusive setting that supports each stage of growth. Our early education program fosters curiosity, confidence, and meaningful relationships. For further inquiries, please contact us. We would be glad to speak with you today.