Our PPP staff is knowledgeable of current early childhood practices and standards, Hawaiian values, language, traditions and cultural teachings. They bi-lingual curriculum promotes Hawaiian values such as Malama Pono; Kuleana; Aloha; Lokahi. Staff plan monthly activities for young children based on these values and set up learning centers to support hands-on learning and encourage parent/child interactions. As children and families engage in meaningful learning and play activities they build strong relationships with each other, peers and others. which prepares for later learning.
A primary value to PPP programs is that parents gain knowledge about basic understandings of child development at monthly parent meetings. They also participate with other families in monthly field trips.
A Parent Participation Program in the Hawaiian Language
At specific sites PPP curriculum is implemented in Hawaiian. At these sites, dedicated staff is fluent in both English and Hawaiian. Parents are encouraged to learn the language and speak it with keiki. The national Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning has stated:
The cumulative evidence from research conducted over the last three decades at sites around the world demonstrates conclusively that cognitive, social, personal, and economic benefits accrue to the individual who has an opportunity to develop a high degree of bilingual proficiency when compared with a mono lingual counterpart.
