“How Does Learning Happen?” (HDLH)

Foundation # 1 - BELONGING

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

FUN Schools Program Goals
  1. 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.
  2. To provide regular and ongoing communication with parents and guardians is an important component of each day.

  3. 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.
Foundation # 2 - WELL-BEING
Foundation # 3 - ENGAGEMENT
Foundation # 4 EXPRESSION

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
  • 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