Empowering Minds Globally

🌟 A Proud Milestone in Early Childhood Education Leadership 🌟

I am thrilled, excited, honored, humbled, and grateful to share a big milestone in my journey in the world of education. I am now part of HighScope’s Advisory Council—the first time it has been launched to bring together practitioners and advocates of HighScope from across the world, including Greece, the United States, Indonesia, and me, representing India. Through this platform, I offer a window into early childhood care and education in India, lending a voice to explore ways to support children with the best and most effective practices, strategies, and frameworks that benefit teachers, parents, and schools alike.

What distinguishes HighScope is Active Learning and PDR (Plan-Do-Review) and how they relate to executive function. These are two primary components of the HighScope curriculum that set it apart from any other approach and serve as lifelong learning skills.

HighScope Educational Research Foundation is celebrating 55 years of its profound contributions to research in infants, toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten—with its implementation extending to some K-12 settings as well.

When I began studying different educational philosophies, I wanted to find an authentic, research-based institute that continues to study present data and upgrades its curriculum with time. Among all the approaches I explored, only one stood out—HighScope.

My journey with HighScope and Active Learning began in 2014 and took an incredible turn during my work with Footprints, where I had the opportunity to design, implement, and spread awareness across India, educating people on HighScope’s Active Learning approach and how children learn—impacting over 100+ schools at the time with core tea

I would love to share this milestone with you and also invite you to explore how Active Learning and its various frameworks create a shift in classrooms—where children lead the learning, have a voice, experience shared control, and engage in meaningful adult-child interactions. Most importantly, these strategies help identify learning needs effectively while ensuring a holistic, horizontal approach to growth and development across eight domains:

• Approaches to Learning
• Social-Emotional Development
• Cognitive Development (Mathematics, Social Science, Science & Technology for Preschool)
• Creative Arts and more.

When adults struggle to understand where learning is heading and children navigate their own space independently, HighScope guides them in understanding the children’s language of learning and development—ensuring that adults can truly support and scaffold their growth.

From being an educator who once read about HighScope online and designed lesson plans based on its curriculum, to traveling to Michigan, USA, to earn my HighScope Certification, and eventually becoming India’s only Certified HighScope Trainer with an endorsement in Preschool Educational Philosophy—it has been a journey of deep learning and commitment.

And now, as an Advisory Council Member, this merit brings a sense of fulfillment like no other. 

I look forward to expanding this journey through workshops, discussions, and sessions with schools that are interested and committed to children’s well-being.

Thank you for reading my experience. As I move forward in my advocacy and commitment, I hope to see you alongside me on this journey.

What This Means for Early Childhood Education in India

Joining this council strengthens my mission to:

• Empower educators with innovative strategies for child development.
• Support parents in nurturing their child’s growth effectively.
• Elevate the importance of inquiry-based and experiential learning approaches in classrooms.

If you’re searching for a child specialist, a child development expert, or a HighScope trainer in India, my work has always centered on creating transformative learning experiences.

Looking Ahead

In 2025, I look forward to collaborating with HighScope and global education leaders on initiatives that empower teachers, promote active learning, and make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Together, we aim to advance early childhood education practices worldwide.

Gratitude and Commitment

To the HighScope leadership, mentors, and colleagues—thank you for this incredible opportunity. To the parents, teachers, and students I’ve worked with—you inspire me to strive for excellence every day. This is not just my journey, but ours.

Stay tuned for updates on this transformative journey in 2025. Together, let’s inspire growth, spark joy, and create a brighter future for our children!

Shruti Nagar Dave
Author of The Wrong ABCs of Preschool 
Early Childhood Education Specialist | School Improvement Advisor | HighScope Certified Trainer & Member Advisory Council | Teacher Development Coach | School Leadership and Professional Development Facilitator | Culturally Responsive Teaching
Awardee: GlobalMindEd (USA), Karamveer Chakra, iRex iCongo, Quality Mark Women Award

 Website: https://shrutinagardaveedu.com/
 Podcast: Listen on YouTube
 Email: shrutinagardave@gmail.com
 Contact: +91 84678 44455