Our Programs
Educational Philosophy:
We believe that education is a four-way process involving the child, the teacher, the parents and the school. Our aim is to create a child-centred environment and to provide a wide variety of enjoyable experiences for the children. A good balance between basic and necessary communicative skills, arts, sciences and physical education is stressed which, we believe, permits participants to reach their greatest potential. A positive self-image is fostered which helps the children to become independent, self-directed, curious, critical and responsible members of society.
Every child is provided with opportunities to learn and play in a supportive atmosphere. A wide range of materials and learning experiences is provided along with enrichment activities such as Music, Art, Drama, Cooking or Spanish. These experiences are designed to stretch and challenge the children mentally, physically and emotionally: however, children are not hurried into activities for which they are not ready. Healthy, emotional development is also stressed so that children can learn to recognize, accept and express emotions and to give, share and receive attention. A typical month's program calendar is included here for reference.
Enrichment Classes/Free Play:
For one half-hour each day, the children have an Enrichment Class of either Music, Art, Drama, Cooking or Spanish. During this time, the children are following the directions of the teacher. They will stay with the teacher, listen, co-operate with their group, and at the same time have fun! It is an important time for learning pre-kindergarten skills as well as extending learning opportunities for children already attending kindergarten.
During the remainder of time, the children are free to choose activities throughout the classroom. It is a time when the children learn to play co-operatively, take turns, problem solve, explore the science area, create masterpieces in the art centre, master cutting skills, role-play in the living centre...and make lots of friends!
Music:
Children learn the elements of music through movement, singing, listening and playing. A variety of traditional songs, games, rhymes and instruments are presented each week using a method of teaching developed by Donna Wood (Royal Conservatory of Music). With nursery age children, the emphasis is on finger plays, rhymes, songs and simple games. Kindergarten children learn songs, more complex games and the beginning of reading music through ti's and ta's. All children explore dynamics (degrees of sound), rhythm, tempo, rests and beats.
Art:
Art for preschoolers centers around the process not the product. These classes give the children the opportunity to experiment with a variety of materials and textures. Program plans for art are open ended and designed to set the children up for success...whether they would be 2 or 5 years old. One main activity is introduced each week which the children are asked to try. The children then decide to continue the activity or choose another art activity from the art shelves. Children are encouraged to use their imagination, to develop their creativity, and share ideas and materials. Please check out our art gallery for more displays of children's art.
Drama: A Recipe
Equipment:
- Dress-up clothes
- A variety of props
- A theme
- Books
- Masks
- Fun
- Puppets
Method:
- Choose an assortment of the above
- Place in a classroom
- Add some children
- Always put in the fun!
- Watch them for about 25 minutes
Result:
- A group of happy children, who have imagined, role-played, pretended, been creative and had fun with friends.
- A laughing teacher with an assortment of funny tales to tell parents and teachers!
Cooking:
With the assistance of the teacher and each other, the children learn to follow favourite familiar recipes and recipes representing traditions from a variety of cultures and celebrations. The children do everything except put the food into the oven! Measuring, stirring, folding, whipping, cracking eggs (the favourite part!), pastry making and even some simple slicing. At the end of Baking Day the children have a sample of their work to take home to eat and share with mum or dad ...plus it's nearly always edible!
Spanish:
The children learn basic words in Spanish through songs, art, games and visual aides. Colouring sheets may be used in this class to help the children relate to the theme and to give parents an idea of what words are currently being taught.
Interest Table:
This table is set up to encourage exploration by the children in the area of science or special interests, while fostering cognitive development. It provides the children with hands on learning and is changed every two weeks. Themes that are introduced may include science, people, or celebrations as a means of learning about our world and cultures.