How Does Learning Happen

(HDLH)

Every child has a sense of belonging when he or she is connected to others and contributes to their world

FUN Schools Program Goals

  • To cultivate a warm, caring and inclusive environment for all. Being aware of the physical and emotional state of children and being responsive in a sensitive way. To build relationships and connections to create a sense of belonging among and between children, adults, and the world around them.
  • To provide regular and ongoing communication with parents and guardians is an important component of each day.
  • We view the community as a valuable resource and our educators plan learning opportunities to engage the community in our programs. We seek out opportunities to share our knowledge and to learn from others in the community.

Every child is developing a sense of self, health, and well-being

FUN School’s Program Goals

  • The health, safety, nutritional needs and well being of children are very important and we know are foundational to children’s ability to learn. We have rigorous policies in place around health and safety practices and these are reviewed by all educators and staff on a regular basis
  • Each child will experience indoor, and two hours of outdoor play (weather permitting) daily, as well as a time to rest and sleep if needed, quiet and active times, always being mindful of each child’s needs and parental direction.

Every child is an active and engaged learner who explores the world with body, mind, and senses

FUN School’s Program Goals

  • Our play and inquiry based programs provide optimal conditions to engage and encourage each child’s natural curiosity; Our educators make purposeful additions to the learning environment by engaging, observing and learning with the children through questions, curiosities and theories they may have
  • To foster learning by engaging with and observing children to make additions to the environment which coincide with their inquiry
  • To engage each child by providing an inclusive learning environment in which they are able to participate to the best of their abilities
  • FUN School requires all staff members to complete eight hours of professional development as members of the Raising the Bar in Peel Program. We also encourage educators to engage in discussion about pedagogy and practice and to take time for critical reflection
  • Strategies are documented and reviewed for impact on the children and their families

Every child is a capable communicator who expresses himself or herself in many ways.

FUN School’s Program Goals

  • To support children’s ability to self-regulate by encouraging them to communicate and interact in a positive way

Purpose/Goals of Activities and Centres

01

    Circle/Story or Music Group Time

      • Develops language and listening skills
      • Enhances attention span
      • Helps children learn social skills and consideration for others in a controlled setting
      • Children learn not to interrupt
      • Children share thoughts, feelings and experiences
      • Develops visual awareness and discrimination
      • Develops auditory awareness and discrimination
      • Develops rhythm, rhyme and musical appreciation through use of instruments
      • Develops pre-reading skills
      • Develops ability to learn new concepts in a group setting

      02

        COGNITIVE
        ACTIVITIES

          • Develops eye-hand co-ordination
          • Develops classification of colours, shapes, sizes, etc.
          • Develops attention span
          • Provides ability to work on and complete an activity
          • Develops fine muscle development and co-ordination including pincer grasp
          • Develops perceptual skills, pre-reading skills through classification, matching skills, etc.
          • Teaches concepts including: largest to smallest, longest to shortest, wide to narrow, over, under, around, behind, etc.

          03

            CREATIVE
            ACTIVITIES

                • Enhances attention span
                • Develops fine motor skills and eye/hand coordination
                • Encourages freedom of expression, creativity and imagination
                • Develops pre-math skills

                04

                  CONSTRUCTION
                  TOYS

                        • Helps develop fine motor skills
                        • Enhances creativity and imagination
                        • Can be individual quiet play or a social time
                        • Develops problem-solving skills

                        05

                          LARGE/GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES

                                • Develops child’s large muscles
                                • Encourages controlled body movement
                                • Develops the ability to maintain balance and coordination
                                • Learns to co-ordinate the body in space
                                • Develops socialization and allows the child emotional expression
                                • Learns sharing and taking turns

                                06

                                  DRAMA CENTRE

                                        • Promotes socialization
                                        • Allows for role playing and co-operation
                                        • Helps children release frustration in a constructive manner
                                        • Learns to co-ordinate the body in space
                                        • Develops language
                                        • Encourages imagination and creativity

                                        07

                                          SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

                                                • Develops sensory perception
                                                • Develops classification skills
                                                • Teaches weight, measurement and volume
                                                • Teaches the concept of sinking and floating
                                                • Teaches about the life of insects and animals
                                                • Allows for experimentation with plants
                                                • Teaches about the earth around us
                                                • Encourages discussions about weather and seasons
                                                • Provides cooking experiments

                                                08

                                                  BLOCK CENTRE

                                                        • Promotes social interaction
                                                        • Enhances fine and gross motor skills
                                                        • Helps develop balance
                                                        • Allows children to develop creativity
                                                        • Develops pre-math skills through problem solving
                                                        • Centre can be quiet or active play
                                                        • Suitable for all ages