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Gesell Institute

School of Education Gesell Institute for Early Childhood Learning

Gesell Institute

Gesell Institute for Early Childhood Learning

4K and Preschool

Welcome to Gesell Institute where believe in the power of play and natural learning experiences to help young children gain knowledge and understanding. In our program at UW-Stevens Point, we offer 3-year-old preschool in the morning and 4-year-old kindergarten in the afternoon through the Stevens Point Area Public School District.

School of Education Stevens Point Area Public School District
Gesell Institute

3-Year-Old Preschool

2024-25

Monday and Tuesday: 8:40-11:40 a.m.
Wednesday and Thursday: 8:40-11:40 a.m.
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Gesell Institute

4K Program

2024-25

Monday-Thursday
12:30-3:40 p.m.
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Gesell Institute

Goals

Based upon the theories and principles of Erikson and Piaget, six goals have been established.
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Gesell 4K and Preschool

History and Philosophy

The Gesell Institute bears the name of Arnold Gesell, noted pioneer in the study of child development.
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Meet Your Teachers

Email Gesell
Angela Jennings

Angela Jennings

  • 4K/ECSE Teacher – Gesell Institute 4K/Preschool
715-346-2655
View profile
Lexie Weiner

Lexie Weiner

  • PK/ECSE Teacher – Gesell Institute 4K/Preschool
715-346-2655
View profile
Sarah Beaulieu

Sarah Beaulieu

  • Assistant Professor – School of Education
  • Gesell Institute Liaison
View profile
Gesell 4K and Preschool Teachers

Location

Located at UW-Stevens Point

Room 124 College of Professional Studies Building

1901 Fourth Avenue

Stevens Point, WI 54481

Classroom Phone: 715-346-2655

District Phone: 715-345-5456

Maps & Directions
Gesell Institute
2024-25

3-Year-old Preschool

Monday and Tuesday: 8:40-11:40 a.m.
Wednesday and Thursday: 8:40-11:40 a.m.

Registration for 3-year-old Preschool is through the Stevens Point Area Public School District. Complete forms and return to Bliss Educational Services Center. Enrollment is $600/year.

Registration Forms
Gesell Institute
2024-25

4K Program

Monday-Thursday: 12:30-3:40 p.m.

Registration for Four Year Old Kindergarten (4K) is through the Stevens Point Area Public School District. Register online or visit Bliss Educational Services Center.

Registration

4K Guiding Principles

“To provide equal access to quality early childhood learning experiences for all children.”

For collaborative community based early childhood programs to be successful, we believe …

  • Quality education occurs in safe facilitative environments
  • Young children learn best in play-based classrooms with developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum (e.g. The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards)
  • In teaching to the whole child (cognitive, physical, social, emotional)
  • Literacy is at the core of quality instructional programming
  • That teachers must respect the individuality of each child by appreciating their unique style and rate of learning
  • Early childhood classrooms should be inclusive with early identification and intervention for children with special needs
  • Parent/Community involvement is essential for successful programs
  • Early learning environments are best when supporting consistent care while minimizing transitions
  • Diversity within children and families builds a stronger learning community
  • Early education is strengthened through offering comprehensive services such as family support and education, resource & referral, on-going assessment, and transportation

Admission Policies

The Stevens Point Area Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, arrest or conviction record, membership in the military reserve, religion, political beliefs or affiliations, citizenship, use or non-use of lawful products off school premises during non-working hours or any other factor prohibited by law. Discrimination on the basis of age, sex or other requirements constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification necessary to the proper and efficient operation and administration of the school district. The director of Student Services is the district’s compliance officer. If you have concerns, please call 715-345-5454.

History

The Gesell Name

The Gesell Institute bears the name of Arnold Gesell (1880-1961), noted pioneer in the study of child development. Gesell was a native of Alma, Wis., and graduated from the Stevens Point Normal School in 1899. He later earned doctorates in both psychology and medicine. Gesell founded The Yale Clinic of Child Development. The Gesell Institute has been in operation at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, since 1972. The Gesell Institute exists as a vital component in the School of Education at UW-Stevens Point. Each year approximately 50 undergraduate and graduate students receive laboratory experiences working with young children and their parents within this facility.
Gesell 4K Graduation

Program Philosophy

The program is developmentally based, utilizing several principles set forth by Arnold Gesell.

  • All children proceed through the same sequence of development, but all vary in rates of development.
  • There is an inner timetable which determines the child’s rate of development. Trying to teach activities ahead of that timetable will at best result in only minor, temporary growth.
  • A favorable environment helps to insure the realization of a child’s potential.
  • Each child is unique in temperament and growth style. The culture should try to adjust to each child’s uniqueness.

Other theories upon which the program draws include those of Erik Erikson, Lev Vygotsky, and Jean Piaget. These theories provide us with a set of developmental expectations which allow us to plan appropriate activities and develop behavioral guidelines for children

Program Goals

Goals for Gesell Students

Based upon the theories and principles of Erikson and Piaget, six goals have been established. Activities for all children are directed toward meeting these goals:

  1. To provide children with opportunities for social interaction with same age peers.
  2. To assure that children have a good start in the development of a positive self-concept.
  3. To assist children in the formation of positive attitudes toward school and learning.
  4. To provide the children with a wide variety of activities and experiences which will build the firm foundations for later academic learning.
    1. Conceptual development
    2. Language development
    3. Listening and following directions
    4. Thinking and decision making
    5. Independence and responsibility
  5. To provide children with opportunities to practice large and small motor skills.
  6. To encourage development of creativity

Goals for UWSP Students
  1. To provide a facility in which education students and related majors may observe the development process in young children.
  2. To provide opportunities for students in teacher preparation programs to observe a master teacher and then apply principles discussed in teaching method classes to real life situations.
  3. To provide a quality program for children 3-5 years of age.
  4. To provide university students, in various fields of study, direct experience working with children ages 3-5 years.
  5. To provide opportunities for students in teacher preparation programs to observe a master teacher and then apply principles discussed in teaching method classes to real life situations.
  6. To give UWSP students opportunities to interact with parents and to observe parent-child interactions.
  7. University students in the Gesell classroom will implement developmentally appropriate activities and encourage positive socialization between Gesell students.

Rose and Don Petersen Hands-on Learning Lab

Students at the Gesell Institute now have a space where they can learn about the importance of food from growing their own garden to preparing meals in a kitchen.

Education is made fun when taught through foods. The Rose and Don Petersen Hands-On Learning Lab promotes positive growth through activities such as:

  • writing and following recipes
  • measuring ingredients
  • exploring the science of growing foods
  • creating food-related artwork 
  • experiencing new foods
  • learning about healthy eating and the farm-to-school movement

Rose ’57 and Don Petersen were instrumental in the redesign of the Gesell Institute and creating the Rose and Don Petersen Hands-on Learning Lab. Learn more about Rose’s legacy or find out how you can make a gift to support the Gesell program.

Gesell Institute