Minnieland Academy and George Mason University are conducting research to learn more about the social and emotional development of young children.
Nationally recognized for her research in child development, Dr. Susanne Denham, with a team of graduate students, has conducted several studies in Minnieland Academy’s programs that investigate child behaviors and learnings.
“We are looking at how children learn about emotions, how teachers can help build a child’s emotional development, as well as how certain types of curriculum promote healthy emotions,” said Dr. Denham, who has been a professor at George Mason University since 1985.
Mostly funded by the National Institute of Health, the professor and her team have worked extensively at over twenty Minnieland Academy locations throughout Virginia for various projects.
“In each case, we inform our parents of the study being performed and the option to opt their child in or out of participation,” says said Chuck Leopold, founder of the child care and daycare center in Virginia. “The research aims to learn more about the youth under our supervision, and to discover optimal programs needed to tap into the infinite potential of our children.”
With the information gathered in her explorations, Dr. Denham conducts workshops for teachers to help them advance their skills in promoting social and emotional development for the children in their classes.
Minnieland Academy junior kindergarten instructors have stated that the George Mason University professor’s work has been invaluable in providing the social competency curriculum used in their classes.
“The social-emotional curriculum implemented by Minnieland Academy is one that includes major components endorsed by evidence-based educational and psychological research,” professes Dr. Denham. “I consider the general curriculum to have clear implications for the positive social-emotional development of children, particularly given the encouragement of one-on-one teacher interaction centering on dealing with feelings and conflict resolution in the classroom.”
All graduate students are vetted and must pass extensive background checks before they are permitted to be a part of the study. From there, those students begin their observations of how children interact in a working and playing environment.
Minnieland Academy offers open enrollment year round and can be reached at www.Minnieland.com.
About Minnieland Academy:
For 43 years, Minnieland Academy has been part of the Prince William community. Since the daycare’s inception, it has brought love, care, jobs and an overall better way of life for surrounding families. The child care facility features a dedicated staff that provides a safe and secure environment as well as an enriching educational experience for children.
For information contact:
Gina Dabney, Director of Marketing
703-680-2548, ext 3256
FAX: 703-580-1839
SOURCE: Minnieland Academy
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