Curriculum

Artistic and creative development refers to the ability of young children to express ideas and feelings, and use their imagination and creativity to interact with the environment. Children should be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of creative activities such as art, drama, music, and dance, for example. These opportunities provide children with a variety of materials and techniques to investigate creatively. The emphasis should be on the process rather than the product. This contributes to developing a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Artistic and Creative development is closely linked to other areas of development, as it increases understanding of language, enhances knowledge and understanding of the world, develops fine and gross motor skills and the acquisition of social skills.

From birth through to early childhood, children use their senses to explore and try to make sense of the world around them. They do this by touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, moving and hearing. Children learn best and retain the most information when they engage their senses. Many of our favourite memories are associated with one or more of our senses. When your nostrils and eardrums are stimulated with familiar smells and sounds respectively, your brain triggers a flashback memory to those special times. Providing opportunities for children to actively use their senses as they explore their world through ‘sensory play’ is crucial to brain development – it helps to build nerve connections in the brain’s pathways. This leads to a child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks and supports cognitive growth, language development, gross motor skills, social interaction and problem solving skills.

Building blocks and construction toys are a staple in our childcare facilities. Constructive play are plentiful, and will provide young children with a venue for creative thought, problem-solving, honing their motor skills, and fostering strong social development. Here are some of the major skills that are learned by introducing block play at a young age: Gross and Fine Motor Skills, Spatial Reasoning, Hand-Eye Coordination, Problem Solving Skills and Beginning Math and Science Skills. Block toys provide understanding of how pieces fit together and encourages comprehension of differing directions, shapes, and spaces. The trial-anderror nature of building blocks and other construction toys allows children to determine the best possible method with which to create their structure. As they erect their design and run into structural inadequacies, they will develop the ability to identify what is creating the problem in their structure, why it does not work, and how to modify their method, which in turn fosters the art of critical thinking.

The early years are a time of rapid physical growth and development as children learn to use and control their bodies to become aware of what they can do. Children develop physical skills through opportunities to interact actively with their environment. Increasing competence enables children to develop their self- confidence and self-esteem. Physical development includes the areas of both gross motor and fine motor skills. Gross Motor development refers to the use of large muscles, such as crawling, walking, running, balancing, etc. Fine motor refers to the development of the small muscles in the hands and fingers, such as colouring, cutting, manipulation, eye-hand coordination, etc. Physical activities can also provide opportunities to promote social skills such as sharing and taking turns.

Developing knowledge and understanding of the world is closely linked to all other aspects of a child’s development. From their earliest days, children try to make sense of their world. Interactions with their environment and people in it enables children to develop in this area. Children need a wide variety of experiences to develop optimally. This should include technology, sensory materials, books, educational toys and exposure to the world both indoors and outdoors. This encourages development of the senses, problem solving, matching, counting, categorization, and role playing. Play provides opportunities to think creatively, engage with others, and regulate impulses.

Kids have to eat everyday, so what easier way to integrate good self-care into their day than by serving them healthy foods. What kids eat has a profound impact on their mood, attention and brain development. One simple strategy to get children excited about healthy foods is to offer them pick a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables. Do cooking activities and aiming to eat a rainbow of fresh foods daily, this can contribute immensely to both their physical and mental well being. We pride ourselves on the healthy and nutritious food we serve to the children. We serve both hot meals and snacks, and all our menus meet the standards set out in Canada Food Guide for nutritious healthy diet for infants, toddlers and preschoolers’. All meals are prepared on site at the daycare. See a sample of our menus here.