What Skills Will My Child Gain at First Steps PEC?

Updated

First Steps PEC is an educational program for young children that describes its goal as helping each child "take their first steps toward a lifelong love of learning." According to the program, a child leaving First Steps PEC will have "the sense of independence and responsibility necessary for a successful continuing education." The skills it emphasizes are social learning, self-esteem, emotional maturity, and enthusiasm for learning, alongside strengthening Armenian identity, language, heritage, and culture. This answer is for parents evaluating whether the program's stated outcomes match what they want for their child before enrolling.

The Skills First Steps PEC Says Children Develop

The program's own description groups its intended outcomes into a few areas:

  • Independence and responsibility — described as what a child will have "upon leaving us," framed as preparation for continuing education.
  • Social learning — the program states it emphasizes "the importance of social learning."
  • Self-esteem and emotional maturity — developed, in its words, "in a loving environment."
  • A lifelong love and enthusiasm for learning — the overall stated mission of the program.
  • Armenian identity, language, heritage, and culture — strengthened alongside the above.

Independence and responsibility

This is the outcome the program ties most directly to a child's next step: it says a departing child will have "the sense of independence and responsibility necessary for a successful continuing education." In practice, that framing suggests the program positions itself as preparation for whatever schooling comes next rather than as an end point in itself.

Social and emotional development

First Steps PEC states that it emphasizes social learning and the development of self-esteem and emotional maturity, and it describes this happening "in a loving environment." It also states a belief that "a happy childhood lays the foundation for a fulfilling life," which is the reasoning behind prioritizing emotional development rather than academics alone.

A lasting enthusiasm for learning

The program's stated mission is to help children "take their first steps toward a lifelong love and enthusiasm of learning." This is an attitude-level outcome rather than a specific skill, so it is best read as the program's overall orientation.

Armenian language, heritage, and culture

The program states that it works to strengthen children's "Armenian identity, language, heritage, and culture" at the same time as their general learning. For families for whom this matters, it is a stated part of the program rather than an add-on.

How the Program Describes Its Approach

First Steps PEC says it offers "an educational program designed for each child's personal learning style, developmental level, and interests," and that it is "[c]onsistent with National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC)" in focusing on "the skills and knowledge that will serve your child over a lifetime."

Two practical points follow from that description:

  • The program presents itself as individualized rather than one-size-fits-all, so what a specific child gains will depend on that child's level and interests.
  • It aligns its focus with NAEYC, a national early childhood education association, rather than with a specific academic curriculum.

Parent Participation

The program states that it believes "learning begins at home" and that it encourages parents' participation in its programs. If you want a role in shaping what your child takes away, the program's stated model expects you to be involved rather than to hand off learning entirely.

What to Check Before You Decide

The page describes intended outcomes, not measured results, so treat the list above as the program's goals rather than guarantees. To judge fit for your child, you can:

  1. Take the virtual tour the site offers, to see the environment and daily setup.
  2. Ask how individualization works in practice — for example, how a child's "personal learning style, developmental level, and interests" shape what they actually do day to day.
  3. Ask what "independence and responsibility" looks like at your child's age — the outcome is stated for children leaving the program, so it helps to know what the progression looks like earlier.
  4. Ask how Armenian language and culture are woven into the schedule if that is a priority for your family.
  5. Check the academic calendar for dates and events, including minimum days, so you can plan around the program's schedule.

The site also lists upcoming events such as the Great California Shakeout, Armenian Cultural Week, a staff seminar (a minimum day), an Armenian Cultural Breakfast, Pumpkin Patch Week, and a Halloween Parade Party — useful for seeing how cultural and community activities appear on the calendar.