Month: March 2024

By Teacher Ravisara Kindergarten represents an important developmental milestone for your child as they transition from being a very young child into being a school-aged one. It is their first big step in their formal education. The knowledge and skills your child learns in kindergarten will serve them well for their future. The crucial part of this process is to find the right program to prepare them for academic, emotional, physical & social success in the future.  Different Curriculums & Teaching Approaches:  Montessori Curriculum: Developed by Dr, Maria Montessory in the early 20th century, this approach focuses on promoting independence, self-discipline, and hands-on learning. The Montessori classrooms are usually equipped with specially designed materials that encourage children to explore and learn at their own pace. The curriculum emphasises practical life skills, sensorial activities, mathematics, language, and cultural subjects. Montessori preschools often have mixed-age classrooms, allowing older children to mentor younger ones.  Reggio Emilia Curriculum: This approach originated in Italy and is known for their child-centred philosophy. This curriculum views children as active participants in their learning process, valuing their thoughts, ideas, and creativity. The classrooms are filled with natural materials, mirrors, and open-ended activities to stimulate curiosity and exploration. It gives importance to art, group projects, and collaboration amongst students. It encourages teachers to display children’s work to create a rich environment for learning and self-expression.  Play-Based Approach: This curriculum recognizes that young children learn best through play and exploration, and encourages creativity, social interaction, and problem-solving skills. Play-based pedagogy is proven to support academic skills in young learners. The environment is usually carefully designed to stimulate children’s curiosity and imagination, setting up the classroom with signs to encourage drama, construction, sensory, art & writing.  Waldorf Curriculum: Developed by Rudolf Steiner, takes a holistic approach to the education system. This curriculum focuses on nurturing a child’s intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Waldorf classrooms are more home-like, with an emphasis on imaginative play and storytelling.  British Curriculum: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), from the British National Curriculum is designed to provide a structured and holistic approach to early childhood education for children aged 0 to 5. The EYFS places a strong emphasis on creating a safe and stimulating environment where young children can develop holistically.  Project Approach Approach: Unlike traditional teaching methods, this curriculum places children at the centre of their own learning journey. It encourages them to explore, inquire, and investigate, all while actively engaging in real-world projects.   Choosing the right curriculum and teaching approach for your child is a significant decision that requires a lot of research and consideration. The curriculum sets the educational vision for kindergarten and will also allow you to differentiate your learning styles and what works best for you. The best curriculum for your child will depend on your educational philosophy and vision, and the kind of learning style you would like your child to adapt to. Ultimately, the success of any curriculum lies in its implementation and the effectiveness of the training received by the teachers. After all, it is their dedication, effort & expertise that will bring the curriculum and teaching to life and make a meaningful impact on your students’ education. 

By Teacher Shannon Animals alone can provide many benefits to student’s social and emotional development that after knowing about them you may find them hard to ignore. For starters “Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise and improve your overall health. For example, people with dogs tend to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease” (1).  There are also many studies that show the brain chemicals serotonin and oxytocin are increased when we are around animals as well as the stress chemical cortisol being lowered which can help bring students out of a stress response. This is one reason why dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits have all been known to be used in animal therapy. These animals can provide companionship without even needing to talk. For a child to be responsive to body language, the wants, and needs in an animal can further help them develop interpersonal skills with their peers.  Not just being around animals but taking care of another living being is a valuable life skill. Animals require attention, food, water, bathing, and exercise. They are always there and can create a sense of responsibility and empathy in a child regardless of how the child is feeling that day. Some animals require living outside and can help your child connect with nature and the natural world around them. Other animals such as a dog that you may keep in your house, still require outdoor time in order to get exercise. This allows your family an opportunity to have a built in walk everyday and can provide many benefits to your cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health.  Animals can also provide many learning opportunities for students, your child can learn about what foods an animal should eat, different animal habitats, good hygiene for animals, food that comes from animals such as eggs and honey, etc.  A few ways to bring animals into your child’s life in case you are unable to support a full time pet may include… I hope you will take this information into consideration and you and your whole family get to enjoy some time with furry friends.  Resources

by Nancy Sivilai, Toddler 1 Class By toddler age 2, your child’s sleep pattern needs will include 11 to 13 hours of sleep daily including naps.  Understanding why napping matters and how to create a good sleep routine for your child’s sleep needs matters. The larger part of sleeping is the nighttime sleep which includes the first 11 hours.  While the naptime sleep (3 hrs.) will be taking place in the afternoon.   Most toddlers have one naptime.  Always remember  that it is more important for your child to  get a solid night’s rest than to nap.  That being said, if it happens then compensate by making bedtime earlier.   As mentioned,  toddler need about 13 hours of rest.  Why are naps and sleep important?  Science and child development experts provide us  the reason why toddlers benefit from naps and good sleep.  During the early years, rapid brain development is happening and this is the cause for  little ones to feel tired and sleepy.  The younger the more sleep needed.  Think of babies they sleep most of the day and through the night.  It would be safe to say that rest is a must for healthy brain development and growth.   Other benefits from resting are linked to better emotional regulation.  We all can agree that being well-rested removes stressors and makes us happier people.  Children who are overtired are fighting the stress hormone cortisol which leads to tantrums, tears, becoming anxious, or frustration.  On the other hand, children who get proper rest have an overall better mood, do better at learning,  and are happier in various situations.   There is much you can do to help meet your toddler’s sleep matters.  I have listed  8 ways to help your toddler .    Where sleep is concerned we are aware, that darkness might be a little scary for your toddler.  However, you are also teaching your child to be comfortable  through a consistent routine. Make your bedtime/naptime  routines with your toddler fun and memorial.  As you keep your consistency your child will benefit with better mood, better learning and positive energy.