Developmental Goals
Children are natural researchers and learn about the world by moving through it. When we watch them closely and listen to their ideas, we learn to take children seriously and come to a greater understanding of how they interpret the world around them. Our Educators guide children’s learning by providing them with meaningful experiences that help them to build on what they know.
From Infant and Toddlers to Preschoolers, our programs focus on the development of the whole child in the following key areas:
Language Development
Literacy and language skills are fostered through an exposure to a variety of books, games, conversation, storytelling, music and poetry. Educators encourage and model language for children by listening, repeating words and expanding vocabulary. Language is supported through a print rich environment that includes documentation of the children’s own work.
Social & Emotional Development
Building strong relationships is the most important work we
can do. Educators consciously plan a routine that meets the individual needs of each child in order to help them feel safe and secure. Children develop a strong sense of belonging in the classroom as their thoughts, ideas and images are reflected within it. The environment is filled with “real” things that are familiar to them and when appropriate children take part in a variety of daily routines such as watering plants, setting tables, and tidying, etc. – helping to create a sense
of ownership. |
 |
Physical Development
Physical development is nurtured through just about
every experience a child has in the child care centre.
Gross motor development is fostered through outdoor
play, dancing, running and rhythmic games, dramatic play
and block building, etc. Fine motor skills are developed
through the manipulation of small tools. For infants and
toddlers this means using their hands to explore toys and
materials. As children get older these materials and
opportunities become more complex.
Intellectual Development
Educators support children’s intellectual development
by providing them with a sensory rich environment that
offers many opportunities to explore, experiment with
ideas, problem solve and test theories. Children learn
about concepts such as patterning, quantity, shape, size,
measurement and counting through a variety of ways in
the classroom. Sensory play, block building, dividing and
sharing toys or snack, caring for plants, etc. are only a
few of the variety of ways children use math and science
in their play.
Creative Development
Through drawing, painting, collage, weaving and sculpting etc. children learn to represent their thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways. By sharing experiences throughout the day, children learn to be respectful and appreciative of other people’s work and ideas. Children invent characters, and interpret and represent their own experiences through dramatic play and story telling. Children are exposed to a variety of music and musical instruments and have opportunities to create their own music and dance. |
