The Foundations of Early Learning

Accrued research suggests early education interventions have strong effects on children's cognitive outcomes, social skills and school progression.

A recentarticlepublished in Teachers College Record (Camilli, et., al) conducted a meta-analytical study of 123 comparative early childhood interventions. The study found “significant effects for children who attend a preschool program prior to entering kindergarten.”

Specifically, the aspects of treatment that correlate positively with gains include “teacher-directed instruction and small group instruction,” both of which are core features of AppleTree’s instructional model.

At AppleTree, teachers work hard to ensure that every student reaches his or her potential through targeted, differentiated small-group instruction. This component of the day is typically a thematic extension of whole-group, teacher directed lessons and activities, and complimentary to the child-initiated and teacher-mediated “centers” activities that occur later in the day.