At the Becky Gates Children’s Center, we believe children learn best through active participatory play, which is how children construct their knowledge and aligns with HighScope. Active learning is at the core of adult-child interactions, the learning environment, daily routines, and assessment/observation. Through active learning the child uses all of their senses, have the opportunities to set their own goals, and select their own materials, activities, and play partners. Adults support children’s current level of thinking and challenge them to advance to the next stage by talking about what they are doing, by joining in their play, and by helping them learn to solve problems that arise. Children thrive with positive, authentic relationships in a supportive environment. A supportive environment is one where control is shared between adults and the children, children’s strengths are the focus, where we use encouragement instead of praise, and adopt a problem-solving approach to social conflict.