We strive to meet children’s developmental needs in a variety of ways:
Physical Needs
Providing regular opportunity for physical activity, both indoors and outdoors
Providing daily opportunities to spend time in the fresh air (weather permitting)
Ensuring that children are well fed and hydrated, by establishing consistent lunch and snack routines and providing nutritious snacks
Allowing children to nap or rest as needed, and providing a safe, quiet and comfortable napping environment
Ensuring that children are appropriately dressed at all times, for indoor and outdoor play
Helping children develop gross motor skills via activities such as dance, music, gym, yoga, martial arts, and outdoor play
Helping children develop fine motor skills through writing activities, arts and crafts, games, sensory play, and Montessori activity centres focused on practical life skills and sensorial development
Social Needs
Allowing children to form close friendships within their peer group, and interact with children of other ages during mixed age activities
Allowing children experience “safe” conflicts, so that they can learn empathy, self control and problem solving skills
Supporting children in learning to take turns, share, cooperate, and compromise in social interactions with peers
Modeling kindness, politeness and respect
Noticing, encouraging and reinforcing positive social behavior in children
Helping children develop an appreciation for cultural diversity through holiday celebrations and cultural activities
Intellectual Needs
Providing a variety of age appropriate and stimulating toys, games, puzzles, books and activities
Helping children develop literacy and numeracy skills through evidence-based academic programs and Montessori activity centres focused on math and language skills acquisition
Exposing children to science, music, chess, the arts, and a foreign language
Providing opportunities for self-directed work and play, taking into account the unique abilities and interests of the child
Providing opportunities for children to develop a strong command of the English language via story telling, poetry recitation, circle time activities, clear instruction and developmentally appropriate conversations
Creative Needs
Allowing children to express themselves through dance, art, music, drama, imaginative play, and sensory play
Fostering creative analytical thinking and creative problem solving through Bright Minds mathematics and the Alterman Chess curriculum
Providing opportunities to explore art making through a variety of media, such as paints, crayons, construction paper, pipe cleaners, clay, play dough, sand, molds, string, wooden sticks, etc.
Providing opportunities to engage in imaginative play though props, costumes, and dramatic play centres
Helping children develop a sense of pride in their work by displaying their creations in the Centre
Offering and respecting children’s choices, so that they can express their individual preferences
Emotional Needs
Providing a secure, safe and consistent environment
Fostering warm, positive and supportive relationships between staff and children
Being emotionally and physically available to assist children throughout the day
Being attentive to children’s unique needs, temperaments, abilities and interests
Responding promptly and effectively to children’s communication attempts
Helping children identify and express their feelings in healthy ways
Setting and maintaining a positive tone throughout the day
Responding to children’s distress, emotional outbursts, and misbehaviour in a manner that is comforting, respectful and encourages the development of self-regulation
Noticing, encouraging and praising the unique strengths, interests and progress of each child, to foster a positive self-image and appreciation for diversity