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Our
Curriculum
At Tender Treasures Children’s Centre we are
committed to a positive learning environment that provides
enriching educational experiences for all children. Our
curriculum is based on developmentally as well age appropriate
curriculum and activities that are geared toward large and small
group activities focused on each child's abilities and needs.
We believe that each child has a unique pattern and timing of
growth and we believe that growth in the areas of cognitive,
social, emotional, physical and creative is a result of positive
attitudes and interactions. Our hands-on approach makes the
learning process enjoyable and in this way children can
experiment, evaluate and discuss their findings. When your
child graduates from our program, it is our goal that he or she
has an easy transition into elementary school.
Our curriculum is guided and in many cases
exceeds the Ontario Ministry of Education Guidelines. Our
curriculum incorporates the
Maria Montessori Philosophy.
Each age group and classroom has a variety of
activities that allow your child to experience the various
stages of development. Daily activities and programs will be
posted outside each classroom for you to see.
The classroom will be divided into learning
centres which lets Tender Treasures Children’s Centre administer
it’s curriculum in a way that allows children to participate in
scheduled activities, or simply engage in play. Group
participation is encouraged but never forced. Each learning
centre plays an important part in programming because they
represent the Montessori approach to learning and include all
curriculum components: language, mathematics, science, art,
music and dramatic arts.
This is a time for coming together and sharing
ideas; a time to develop a sense of the whole group. During
circle time, children spend time reading, singing and learning
about the calendar as well as participating in various
activities related to themes and/or topics of interest.
Children learn to listen to others and how to feel comfortable
about speaking in a group.
Practical Life Exercises promote mind and body
coordination, control and refinement of basic movements, and
develops focus and attention which are important goals of both
the Montessori and High Scope Practices. These exercises in
movement, self-help, care of the environment and grace and
courtesy capture the preschool child’s natural interest and
innate desire to participate in the affairs of the world around
him, transforming these exercises into purposeful activities
which build good habits for exploration and learning which
extends to the home and even to the larger, more conventional
learning environment.
Children learn about the world around them
through the use of all of their senses, which then educate the
intellect. The senses teach children about things they can
touch in their environment, and relationships between them. The
purposes of the sensorial exercises are to enable children to
manipulate, differentiate, order and classify impressions by
touching, listening, seeing, tasting, and smelling. These
exercises help children to form mental images of concrete
objects, paving the way to abstract thinking. Activities
incorporate distinguishing between various shapes, colours,
sizes, weights and smells. All of the sensorial materials are
sequential, building on past experience and competency and the
preparing the child for future learning.
The aim of studying culture is to allow the child
to experience their place in the universe. They begin by
exploring similarities between their culture and others, and
then have appreciation and respect for differences. Cultural
studies are presented to your child through lessons on History,
Geography and Science and as extensions of practical life
activities, sensorial activities, language activities and story
time. Cultural activities help children understand and
categorize the world around them, and encourage them to seek new
information and facts.
Language development begins with the presentation and classification
of the vocabulary within the child's own surroundings. Phonics
is used to teach the basic language skills. Montessori
preschool graduates are able to read and write with confidence
before entering elementary school.
The Mathematics Program provides an excellent
foundation and understanding of mathematical concepts, beginning
with concrete materials and moving towards the abstract. The
Montessori mathematical materials used offer concrete and visual
impressions of numbers and beyond into Arithmetic, Algebra and
Geometry. Children are introduced to the concept of quantity
and symbols for the numbers 1-100 and learn the four functions
of arithmetic addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
French is part of our curriculum and is
introduced in an informal, conversational manner to younger
students, developing communicative skills of listening and
speaking. The older children are exposed to a higher level of
communicative skills of reading and writing. Theme-related
songs and stories also form part of the French Program.
Our Health and Wellness program has three main
objectives. The first is to provide nutritional meals and
snacks according to the Canadian Food Guide. Your child will
learn the basic food groups and how to achieve a well balance
diet. Our second objective is to teach your child about daily hygiene/grooming rituals
such as brushing teeth and hair. The last objective is to
provide your child with the opportunity to participate in a
daily physical fitness routine and other gym related activities.
Drama Centre is a play area where children are
given an opportunity to use their imagination. Tender Treasures
Children’s Centre allows children to explore everyday real and
found materials. This area offers a variety of materials which
can be items that we find at home or around our community such
as items relating to a doctor's office, grocery store, hair
dressing salon, school bus, etc. This classroom setting helps
children develop their creative side, language, communication
and social skills, decision making and negotiation skills among
a group. The Everyday Life/Drama
Centre equipment for each room will be rotated on a monthly
basis so children have time to enjoy a sense of make believe
under different settings.
Children of all ages can experiment with their
five senses and enjoy different activities that include water,
sand and all kinds of other materials that have an abundance of
texture, smell and appearance. Children have the opportunity to
directly explore cause and effect relationships. This area is
excellent in promoting creativity and imagination whether
enjoyed individually or in small groups.
Our Computer Program will give children an
opportunity to learn computer skills and participate with a
variety of educational computer programs that are
age-appropriate. The computers will be used to enhance the
curriculum that is being offered to your child. Every computer
will be equipped security safeguards.
Music is a time for children to enjoy listening
to a variety of different musical rhythms, and dancing or moving
to the sound of music. A special music teacher comes in once a
week to spend time teaching the children new songs as well as
exploring a variety of musical instruments. This special
activity promotes a child's enhancement in music, encourages
children to be exposed to and appreciate different types of
music as well as make them aware of how music is played and
created.
We believe in both child-directed and
teacher-directed activities. Children have the opportunity to
use the arts and crafts shelf at all times during free play
time. Children are encouraged to create their own art with a
large variety of arts and crafts materials. A number of
activities are supervised by a teacher because some activities
are designed for a specific theme or topic. This gives teachers
an opportunity to educate children about different themes
programmed for that day or week.
Children are offered many types of storybooks,
magazines and audio listening equipment. Children can relax in
a soft area surround by soft chairs, mats and pillows. Children
may sign out their favorite book and share their experiences
with their family members. A rotation of the books takes place
allowing children to get a large variety of themes, topics and
interest.
Here children learn to develop gross and fine
motor skills allowing them to experiment with space, size and
shape concepts. This is an opportunity to create, design and
form either individually or in a group setting.
This area helps develop decision making skills,
social skills, language skills and independence. Puzzles
enhance children's logic skills in making proper decisions and
accomplish goals. Rotation of toys is mandatory so that
children get a large variety and always have interesting toys
that capture their attention.
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