In many early childhood programs, the climate lately has been towards more education and skills training.
However, young children also need plenty of time to play, to explore their world, and to learn social
skills. We
offer this for your child, by providing a balance between structured and unstructured activities and by
recognizing that all children are born with a desire to explore, discover, and learn. The most effective
means
of accomplishing this is through their play, because we believe that it is through play, that children learn
best. Play is critical to the healthy growth and development of children. Children develop socially,
emotionally, cognitively, and physically through play. Children learn through play, because they are engaged
in
what they are doing. When children have fun with games, they become more interested in learning and their
minds
become more open to new thoughts and ideas. As children play, they learn to solve problems, to get along
with
others and take turns, negotiate, and to develop the fine and gross motor skills needed to grow and learn.
Books and story-time, Legos, circle-time, tumbling exercises, music and dancing, play food, interactive
stuffed
animals, cars/trucks/planes, arts and crafts, puzzles, flash cards, animals/dinosaurs, trains, balls, dolls
and
Barbies, various learning toys, musical instruments, various games, Mr. Potato Head, blocks, beads and
string,
song games, play dough, coloring, sing along story books, painting, board games, puppets, and singing
sliding, jumping, running, balls, racing, catch, bubbles, follow the leader, ride-on toys, wagons, various
games, painting, exploring nature/weather, soccer, and, etc. As you know, children play hard and will get
some
bumps and bruises from time to time. We do our best to limit the number of times this occurs, with constant
supervision and watchful eyes. Due to the safe environment/toys we have surrounded ourselves with, we hope
to
prevent any injuries before they can happen. During the summer months (June, July and August) we allow for
more
outdoor activities and creative art projects. Weather permitting, we play outdoors every day.
Each day we provide three nutritious and well- balanced meals. We provide morning snack at 10:00 am,
Homemade
lunch at noon with yogurt or milk and snack at 3:30 pm. Water is offered throughout the day. The meals and
snacks for each week constantly vary in order to ensure the children receive a well-balanced diet. The
children
are offered the food, but they will not be forced to eat.