Our Approach to Education
Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is a large part of a child’s day when attending our centre. The benefits of outdoor play are numerous and even possibly endless as there is still more to study on the subject. Some top reasons for children to get outdoors in any weather include:
Ensures that children get enough sunlight — and that’s good for their bodies and brains. The brain tunes its “inner clock” using light cues, so going outdoors can help children maintain healthy sleep rhythms.
Children are free to develop their athletic abilities – to run fast, jump far, and climb. But when children play outside, they usually have more freedom to move around. They can do things that aren’t typically possible indoors – run at top speed, climb tall structures, swing from their arms.
Connecting with nature may also lower a child’s risk of behaviour concerns. There is good evidence that people who feel a strong connection with nature are happier and better-adjusted. Children that have a regular connection with nature are less likely to suffer from emotional difficulties, and more likely to show kindness toward others. It may reduce a child’s risk of developing certain behaviour concerns, such as hyperactivity and attention deficits.
Positive nature experiences teach children to respect and protect the environment. People who report positive experiences with nature are more likely to behave in ways that protect the environment, and we can see the effect in children as well as adults: Children who spend more time in nature express more appreciation for wildlife, and more support for conservation
Children get more vigorous exercise when they’re outdoors.
Outdoor play offers young children special opportunities to learn new words and concepts. It’s much easier to learn what squish means if you get to feel mud squishing through your fingers. You’re more likely to understand the concept of melting if you conduct your own experiments with ice cubes in the sun! Going outdoors is an opportunity for children to widen their sensory experiences, and gain an intuitive understanding of how things work.
Cooperative outdoor play can help children learn social skills. The kids who spend time outdoors, on average are more cooperative and socially expressive – better able to verbalize their desires, and enter into play with others
Outdoor play may encourage kids to take calculated risks and become more confident in their abilities. When adults enable children to climb and leap and take chances and children master these challenges, they feel exhilarated and empowered and confident.
What are schemas?
A Schema is a thread of thought that is demonstrated by repeated actions and patterns in children’s play. Play is a reflection of deeper, internal, and specifically directed thoughts. Children explore their schemas through every day play
Transporting
Interest in moving objects or themselves from one place to another. This may be evident by children filling up bags.
Transforming
An interest in combing and changing materials. This may be shown through mixing water and sand together
Trajectory
An interest in lines which may be shown through a child’s need to run up and down, drop items from heights and throw objects.
Rotation and Circulation
Experiments with things that turn like wheels and balls, Explores curved lines and circles.
Enveloping
An interest in hiding or covering objects and themselves.
Enclosing
An interest in creating enclosures around themselves or objects.
Sound
Children explore what makes sounds and how to make different sounds. This may be through banging objects together, yelling in tubes, or making animal sounds.
Vertical
Children explore vertical space by building towers, dropping objects from heights, and scribbling up and down.
Horizontal
Children explore horizontal space by rolling balls, running laps, tunnels, building roads, and scribbling side by side.
Light
Children love exploring the world through darkness and light with flashlights, blinds, shadows, and light tables.
Connecting and Disconnecting
An interest in fastening and joining things together and taking then apart.
Positioning
An interest in sorting and placing items specifically.
Orientation
An interest in viewing the world different ways.
School Connections
Treasure Keepers is located inside Arborgate School. This creates many opportunities for partnering together in our learning environments. We are able to enjoy shared spaces such as using the school gym, library, and green spaces. We also expand our shared resources and professional development when we work together. The children at the centre enjoy invites to presentations and concerts and get to see their siblings and other familiar daycare friends perform at the Spring and Winter concerts. Upcoming Kindergarten children are able to visit the school and classrooms to prepare for a successful and smooth transition into school. The school is just one way our centre works towards building a connected community.
Our Program Values
Some type of intro here to tell people the general overview of these values.
Loose Parts
Loose parts are natural, or synthetic found, bought, or upcycled materials—acorns, hardware, stones, aluminum foil, fabric scraps, for example—that children can move, manipulate, control, and change within their play. Loose parts are alluring and beautiful. Loose Parts provide inspiration and information about the ways everyday materials can support open-ended learning, enhance play, and empower children. With loose parts, the possibilities are endless.
Messy Play
Encourages curiosity, imagination, and exploration. Messy play is typically a social activity so naturally it will foster communication and language development. High concentration levels are needed while engaging in messy play, from exploring objects and engaging all of their senses to thinking through their discoveries and trying to communicate them. Hands-on play also offers many physical benefits, allowing your child to develop an awareness of their body and personal space whilst strengthening their muscle control. Children are losing the ability to be able to amuse themselves. With messy play, we can teach them that you can make your own entertainment! In an unrestricted play environment where there is no right or wrong way to do things, this is the perfect situation to allow your child to play how they want to.
Risky Play
Risky play is, play that incorporates safe risks relative to a child’s age, size, motor skills, and comfort level—is important to a child’s development. Risky play is not about doing something dangerous, but about moving past uncertainty to try something exciting. Risky play is different for every child, depending on their age and comfort level. For example, risky play for a toddler might mean balancing on one foot on the ground, while risky play for a preschool age child might be climbing up on step stool to reach for a toy. Children know their limits; they will not intentionally put themselves in harm’s way.