This article was written by Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer at Bright Horizons, leading early care and education programs and educator professional development for the over 600 centers and 15,000+ early educators across the U.S. Rachel also serves as the Executive Director of the National Center for Early Education Excellence at Bright Horizons and is a board member for the Bright Horizons Foundation. In addition to these roles, she is an author of numerous articles and books for families, educators, and children, hosts a parenting podcast Teach. Play. Love., and presents to parents and educators in virtual and live formats throughout the year.

After high school, I worked as an Assistant Toddler Teacher at a Montessori-influenced program. The center was situated in an old house on a small hobby farm with chickens, rabbits, goats, and even a few llamas. We did art experiences in a converted school bus and movement activities in an old garage.

The co-teachers in the room, Ms. Connie and Ms. Bonnie, expertly modeled following children’s questions and explorations as catalysts for learning. Each day had the familiarity of a routine with some planned experiences, as well as spontaneous learning based on what the children were most interested in.

Ms. Bonnie and Ms. Connie taught through their interactions with children. They welcomed and found delight in children’s constant inquiries. They respected children as capable participants; used positive guidance to foster social skills; and provided materials, time, and space for meaningful learning. Looking back, this was where the origins of my educational philosophy began. These early experiences influenced my contributions to Discovery Driven Learning®.

Discovery Driven Learning is our unique teaching and learning framework in early care and education rooted in learning science. It is based on our respect for children’s innate desire to pursue their interests and inquiries as they make discoveries about themselves and the world around them and research that affirms this is how children learn best.

So, this summer, as you make what will probably be one of the most important decisions for your family – choosing an early care and education provider-- I hope an insight into Discovery Driven Learning will help you make an informed choice.

Discovery Driven Learning is comprised of six components. It includes a robust interdisciplinary curriculum and ongoing developmental assessment process, but it also includes four cornerstones that represent ensure our focus in on all important aspects of an early care and education program.

The four cornerstones of the framework are:

Nurturing and Responsive Relationships

The Discovery Driven Learning cornerstones were designed with a specific order in mind. The very first is nurturing and responsive relationships. Responsive and nurturing relationships are a nonnegotiable at Bright Horizons because we know that they’re absolutely critical for happy childhoods, strong brain development, and effective early development and learning. Of everything we do, this is the most important.

We often treat education or learning as more important than care, but one cannot exist without the other. In fact, children –and adults – are unable to learn without a sense of physical and psychological safety. Responsive and nurturing relationships provide that safety.

We know that children’s brains grow faster from birth to age 5 than at any other time in their lives. Kindergarten. During this period, children’s brains are building neural pathways, connections in the brain that are directly linked to language, learning, and memory. And we know that relationships and connections strengthen these neural pathways.  This is just one of the reasons Responsive and Nurturing Relationships is such an important part of the Bright Horizons approach.

Joyful, Playful and Inclusive Communities

Joyful, Playful, and Inclusive Communities is a mouthful of words, but they all matter so much. Not only are they important, but we believe each child has a right to them.

Fostering joyful, playful, and inclusive communities requires commitment and intentionality from educators and caregivers. This is why visiting classrooms is my hands-down, no-contest, don’t-even-have-to-think-about-it favorite. There is no other place like a Discovery Driven Learning classroom: the respectfully designed spaces, the beautiful materials, the teachers as facilitators of discovery, the curiosities and inquiries of children, the delight, the laughter. Discovery Driven Learning classrooms are places of wonder. They are joyful, playful, and inclusive communities.

Proven Instructional Method

When many think of teaching, they think of the ‘what’ — the lesson plans, the materials, or the curriculum. But we know that real teaching is about how teachers intentionally behave to support children’s development. Teachers matter more than materials, lesson plans, or curriculum.

Our Proven Instructional Method is a set of instructional practices that teachers use when working with children in a Discovery Driven Learning classroom. These practices are not reflective of a stereotypical vision of the teacher at the front of the class or the teacher as the provider of answers and wisdom. Instead, informed by evidence-based research, we have identified the most influential instructional practices that foster healthy whole-child development, equipping children with the skills and dispositions they need to reach their full potential.

Learner-Centered Environments

The spaces we live, work, and learn in have a profound impact on our experience. They can demonstrate respect and inclusion; they can inspire and motivate; they can offer places to pause and moments of wonder and beauty; they can energize, and they can offer comfort, and, of course, they can do the opposite.

In a learner-centered environment, we put the young child at the center of our choices.

One of my favorite things to do is to go into a classroom and sit on the floor. I put my hand or a piece of paper above my eyes so I can’t see above my direct line of sight, and then I evaluate the room from that viewpoint. This is the best way to determine if the room is designed for the adults or the child.

Then, I check to see if a child’s learning is visible in a way that is meaningful to them. This might be natural materials and loose parts, inviting colors and textures, soft lighting options, or décor that is meaningful, respectful, and calming.

The best evidence is the children themselves – it brings me so much joy to see them engage, feel, manipulate, choose, be messy, explore, and discover.

Discovery Driven Learning classrooms are beautiful, inclusive, functional environments.

Child at the Center

Discovery Driven Learning puts the child first, ensuring their sense of wonder, natural curiosity, rich imaginations, and drive to discover are at the heart of all we do. We do what is best for children, it is as simple as that. And we know, as our parent partners, you do too.

That’s what brings us together – the purpose of giving children what they need to have a joyful childhood, to build foundational skills for life, and most importantly –for a lifelong love of learning and to realize their full potential. Discovery Driven Learning offers something truly special and unique for children, families, and teachers and we’re eager for you and your family to be a part of it.

Here’s to curiosity, discovery, and learning.