UIS Cox Children's Center, Springfield

The Cox Center is dedicated to reflecting state-of-the-art practices in working with children, families, and other adults. As theorist suggest (Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson), children learn through their individual experiences with the world. Young children are active and curious participants in the construction of their knowledge. Teachers challenge children to make predictions, to explore, to discover, to challenge, to represent and to reorganize their ways of thinking. Positive development of self-image is important and is a priority in all aspects of program planning. Teachers provide opportunities for learning in an environment of respect and trust between and among all participants, young and old. In building upon trusting, respectful relationships, teachers learn the needs of individual children and plan for the successful fulfillment of those needs.