Child Development

José Martí
Child Development Center

El mundo no nos fue legado por nuestros padres nos fue prestado por nuestros hijos.
The world was not left to us by our parents it was lent to us by our children.
African Proverb

Department Description:

Jose Martí Child Development Center (JMCDC) is a bilingual, multicultural, early childhood educational center, serving the Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley communities.

History:

El Centro de la Raza named it Child Development Center after José Martí, an organizer, educator, and author of children's stories who led the Cuban War of Independence against Spain in the late 1800's. He believed, as we do, that our future lies in our children, and that our future is secure only if they are adequately educated.

The center was completely renovated in 1988 to establish what is now a national model. It reflects creative efforts in design and construction, with complete accessibility for the physically disabled, as well as cultural murals, and bright colors and spaces. Our four classrooms, El Agua (Water), El Sol (Sun), El Arcoiris (Rainbow), and El Viento (Wind), are joined in a common circle room where the words of a modern Cuban song honoring Jose Martí proclaim:

All the children of the world, let us make a circle, and in a thousand languages, sing: we want to grow up in peace.

The central focus of JMCDC's entrance is a carpet of a map of the world. Its message to our children is that they are an integral part of the world, and citizens of a planet that must be cared for and loved.

JMCDC features:

An educational environment based on beliefs of Jose Martí that seek to:

Enhance the physical, emotional, social and intellectual potential of our children
Build self-awareness, self-esteem and cultural pride
Involve families in efforts to build stronger communities of diversity

A bilingual and multicultural approach to early childhood education:

Teachers are bilingual and children learn to speak both English and Spanish
Communication is stressed in both languages among students, parents, community members and staff

An emphasis on organizational projects as an essential part of education:

Everyday we have music, dance, stories, and other activities that involve each child and family.
Curriculum integrates day-to-day celebrations, holidays, festivals, events and visitors in the classroom
Children learn though diverse cultural experiences

A focus on parental and community participation:

Parents create toys for use in the classroom, raise funds, coordinate cultural events, staff exhibits, spend time with students and teachers, and act as role models
We encourage and depend on parents, community volunteers and representatives to be engaged in all aspects of our center

Key Activities Include:

Affordable early child care for working parents

Our program opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
We offer pre-school and toddler programs
Parents may apply for child care subsidy through various programs: Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services, and JTPA.