Approaches to Learning (ATL)

The ATL domain assesses areas recognized as important for young children’s school readiness and success. The Approaches to Learning skills include engagement, attention and persistence, curiosity, interest and initiative, problem solving, and planning.

Meet Emery Bright, Ambassador for Approaches to Learning!

When Emery Bright received the news that she was the Ambassador for the Approach to Learning DRDP domain, she squealed with delight! This was her big moment to share this fun, amazing, fantastic, supersonic story about the assessment tool PACCC was using in their whole-child approach to early education and care.

Emery Bright took a deep breath, walked out on stage, stood in the spotlight, and well…let’s just say Emery was very excited to share the Approach to Learning story!

“Hi! I’m Emery Bright and I’m here to tell you all about Approaches to Learning, or ATL for short!”

The crowd settled in, the teachers beamed with pride, and the parents leaned in. Emery’s smile grew wider as she took another deep breath, squared her shoulders and gave her very first keynote for the City of Palo Alto!

“Are you ready for this fun, amazing, fantastic, supersonic story? Because that’s a little clue about what ATL is – school readiness and preparing for success. The DRDP program is an early education assessment tool. ‘Assessment’ is the biggest word I know! In fact, it might be the biggest word I’ve ever heard in my entire 3-year-old life! But we’re in Schooltime Storyland right now, so everything is possible and there’s never anything that’s impossible inside Storyland! Now, let’s get started. I have so much to tell you!”

Emery peered out into the crowd. Someone had a question. Uh-oh! She hadn’t prepared for questions. She leaned in, careful to keep her footing at the edge of the stage.

“What? Is my last name ‘Bright’ because of my bright red hair? Oh…I don’t know! I will ask the artist and get back to you. I am curious about how I got my red hair, too – and guess what? Curiosity is one of my main characteristics! ‘Characteristic’ is the biggest word I’ve ever heard of in my entire 3-year-old life…since the word ‘assessment.’"

“There is so much to share with you – so pay attention, please!”

Emery giggled. “Would you believe that paying attention is another one of my skills? I need to plan this out, or we’re going to have a problem getting all this information out of Storyland and into the world. Wait. Problem solving is…you guessed it – it’s another one of my characteristics! I’m a curious, problem-solving planner, taking the initiative and persisting until I’ve figured it all out!

“Phew! I am ready to play! Is it recess yet? Anybody else ready for recess?”

The crowd cheered. Everyone is always ready for recess, thought Emery.

“This is all very exciting,” exclaimed Emery, taking a sip from her juice box. “I wasn’t always a three-year ‘oldie, but goodie,’” she continued. “Once, I was a wee little infant, getting dropped off at PACCC for the first time in my little newborn, toddler-adjacent life. My mommy was an exhausted new mommy, heading back to work and she was so happy when she found the PACCC infant-toddler center! Mommy wanted a place where I could learn, play, and grow, and as you can see, that’s exactly what’s happening."

All the mommies nodded their heads in agreement. This made Emery’s smile grow even wider, if that was even possible.

“Mommy and the PACCC teachers say I’m going to get older and that one day, I will be in the third grade! That’s so old! Before I know it, I’ll be in college! The way I understand it is, Approach to Learning is part of a whole-child approach to early education and care. Everything I’ve learned from the first day as an infant to now, to TK and Kindergarten, and all the way to the third grade will help me prepare for what’s next."

“What IS next?” Emery squealed. “I can’t wait to discover what’s next… at home, at school, and on the playground of my big, little life! Thank you!”

Emery took a bow and the crowd cheered. Then just for fun, she yelled, “Recess!” and the crowd went WILD!

The End.

(For now. We have a lot more stories, so stay tuned!)

Come learn, play and grow with us at PACCC!