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Language & Literature

Communication and Language are closely linked to the other areas of the child’s development and is central to his/her ability to communicate in relationships and understand ideas and concepts which can then be ordered, explored and refined.

An infant develops communication skills at a very young age. Even though young infants do not understand or produce words, they are learning that when they produce a noise, they get a response. Therefore, they are learning that the purpose of their attempts to make sounds results in their needs being met. Subsequent communication that develops includes gesture, facial expression, and body movement as well as verbal and receptive language abilities.

Toddlers expand their communication and language by using babbling or jargon talk. First words begin to emerge. Talking to the toddler about the world around him/her by naming and describing everything is very important. This is a critical time for language development. It is known that children learn to understand language much earlier than they can actually speak. Even though a child cannot talk to you about what they are experiencing, their rapidly developing minds are absorbing information like a sponge. At the beginning of 2 years of age, many children have about 200 words in their repertoire, and towards the end of the second year, typically have attained about 1000 words, which will be expressed through 2, 3, possibly 4 word sentences.

By the time a child is pre-school age, many children can use language to communicate what they need to say to both adults and other children. This enables them to develop social relationships and understand that communication is mutual give and take. Three year olds typically have more than 1200 words in their vocabulary, even though they still understand more than they can speak. They can answer questions and tell about experiences in their lives. They’re increasing competence with language enables them to develop friendships with other children and relate more effectively with adults. Between the ages of 4-6 years, children continue to develop skills in this area, leading to the ability to start to put words to print.

Creative Art Experience

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.

Science & Technology

Science is a magical thing. Our preschool science activities are sure to be a big hit with little learners and perfect for encouraging budding scientists. Preschoolers & Toddlers are curious and inquisitive little learners which means they are always game for a great science experiment! It is best enjoyed when it is child-led and hands-on, which is pretty essential when working with preschoolers! Preschoolers love to be involved, even in the simplest ways. Incorporating science activities from a young age helps children learn that failure is part of the process and it’s perfectly ok. When you do get it right, especially after many tries, it is all the more incredible! We sure hope these preschool science activities help your preschoolers learn to love science and all the magic that lies within.

Sensory Experience

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.

Mathematics & Numeracy

Mathematics plays a major role in a child’s development and helps children makes sense of the world around them. Children between the age of one to five years old are beginning to explore patterns and shapes, compare sizes and count objects. When it comes to preschool children, they use a variety of methods to problem-solve and talk about their findings. Math play is evident in pretend play, block play, literacy play, outdoor play and science play.

Blocks & Compilations

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.

Imaginative & Preferred Play

Children learn to be social beings from birth. We respond to their social cues; when the infant smiles, coos, babbles or gurgles, the adult responds back, which encourages the infant to repeat the action. When a child has a secure, loving, responsive environment at home and the child care centre, they feel safe and develop the ability to express feelings. This helps develop self-esteem and self-confidence. This self-confidence helps children develop positive relationships with their peers, and fosters understanding about our diverse, multicultural society.

Healthy emotional, personal and social development is critical to the well-being of all children, and cannot be over-emphasized. For young children, bonding and attachment to the parent or primary caregiver is the critical foundation upon which other skills are built.

Cognitive & Fine Motor

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.

Outdoor & Fitness Activities

Children love moving and movement, and being physically active is an important part of everyday life. Finding ways every day for children to use large and small muscles allows them to gain increasing control over their bodies. Physical activity promotes children’s mental and emotional health as well as their physical well-being. Outdoor play offers young children special opportunities to learn by experiences. So going outdoors is an opportunity for kids to widen their sensory experiences, and gain an intuitive, “embodied” understanding of how things work. Not to mention, Physical activity also helps your child keep a healthy body weight.

Group Activities

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.

Self Care, Health & Wellness

Promote your child’s mental health on a daily basis. Safeguarding an emotional or behavioural disorder that gets in the way of children living their best life and reaching their full potential is a daunting task. Healthy routines build coping skills and mindsets that promote resiliency as children develop. Think of these positive, early habits as “food” for the soul; they can help prevent a more serious mental health condition from developing. Children crave structure and a successful routine contributes to the flow and well being of the entire childcare centre. Routines give children a sense of security and predictability limits anxiety, making transitions throughout the day easier. Regular daily routines that emphasize consistent arrival times, meal time, nap time, play time and pickup time will provide the structure they need to understand and predict their specific world. One of the overlooked elements is building in “slow down” time. And regular, built in time during the day allows children to learn how to make mindful choices. Even the youngest of children can integrate mindfulness into their “slow down” time with activities like story time, quiet play and circle time routines that can help wire their brain for success.

Nutritious Meals

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.