The Oyster Babies approach to educating young children is based on the Developmental-Interaction Approach contrived by the Bank Street College of Education, a renowned graduate school for early childhood educators, founded by Lucy Sprague Mitchell.

The basic premise of this philosophy is divided into two parts:

1. To recognize that children do go through specific stages of development, during which they reach milestones and acquire certain skills; and,
2. To understand that the interactions, or experiences we have as individuals, effect and shape each stage of our development and how each individual learns.

Therefore, the Oyster Babies curriculum is designed around the individual students, as well as the whole class. The children's personalities, interests and experiences are all collaborated when lessons are being planned.

Young Children Learn Best through Play... Although it may be difficult for parents to break away from the “drill and practice” teaching methods of the past, young children learn more when allowed to move at their own pace in a relaxed, yet, engaging and challenging environment. Children playing blocks in the “block area” of the classroom are actually developing numerous skills, such as, language development, social skills, problem solving, innovation, engineering, mathematics (numbers, colors, shapes), etc.

We Do Teach Reading and Writing... Oyster Babies strives to create a language and print-rich environment in each of our classrooms. We do not instruct the whole class to trace letters, as this is inappropriate for preschoolers; however, the children are exposed to reading and writing all day, every day. Through storytelling, dictation, experience charts, writing in journals, songs, circle time, and, many other activities, we foster a love for reading and writing.