Children learn best when their unique interests and abilities are honored. Ideal Learning is a whole-child approach that places children at the center of their education. Many school districts value this approach. Yet programs that reflect the tenets of Ideal Learning (e.g., Montessori, Tools of the Mind) have not been implemented to scale in Colorado.
Early Milestones researched challenges and opportunities to advance Ideal Learning approaches in early care and learning, evaluated alignment between the Principles of Ideal Learning and state-supported guidance, mapped existing programs in Colorado, and produced a brief to make the case for expanded use of these models. We also led strategic outreach throughout the state to build awareness and understanding of Ideal Learning programs’ potential to support high-quality early learning in Colorado.
In the current phase of our partnership with Trust for Learning, we offered a funding opportunity for publicly funded school-and community-based programs to adopt Ideal Learning approaches. Early Milestones managed the grant application and review processes and will lead research and the sharing of findings throughout the grant period.