Programs

Open Program

All of the Open Programs reflect the essence of the Open Connections philosophy: a belief in natural learning and the primacy of self-motivation, collaboration, and the creative process. Within certain wide parameters, including respect for the rights of others, young people decide how, and with whom, they spend their day in an Open Program.

They may, for example, choose to build with real tools in the workshop; design a marble rollway; sew a pillow; build with K’NEX®; write a story or poem; create a painting; weigh pebbles on a postage scale; play Chip Trading; take apart an old telephone (or invent a new one); experiment with batteries, bulbs and motors; or explore the world in a hundred other ways. They will also be invited to participate in activities designed to support their “Conceptual Development” (See Furth and Wachs’s Thinking Goes to School), initiating the higher level thinking that allows academics to be truly understood rather than merely memorized. Such activities are offered throughout the day, with particular emphasis on CD-related games/activities happening each morning from 9:30 to 10:30am. While there is always something to do in the Open Program, there is also the opportunity to just “let the land lie fallow” for a while, providing time for one to observe, ponder, and generally wait for inspiration to strike. That kind of freedom permits the growth of true self-motivation and creativity.

In the Open Program, there is great emphasis placed on building collaborative social skills - learning how to create win-win relationships. Facilitators and young people actively participate in developing ways to include others, offer friendly language, and find constructive and mutually satisfying solutions to disagreements.

In addition to the regular staff, the Open Program benefits from the talents of parent resourcers and visiting artists/mentors all of whom come in to share a variety of offerings. Recent examples include organizing an archeological dig, constructing musical instruments, and making
birdhouses.

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