Having a combined Montessori and Early Childhood Education background has revealed to me how these two methods align beautifully for infants and toddlers. In the Early Childhood Program, we learn about a Swiss psychologist, Jean Piaget, who identified different stages of mental growth of children. Children’s main concern in the early years is to learn about physical objects and gain motor control, which they do through experimenting with their senses. Piaget’s method is most often called “hands-on” learning.

 

Montessori's and Piaget’s methods are very similar for children under the age of three, emphasizing the development of motor skills using manipulative or "hands-on" activities and lessons. These methods give children the freedom of choice and movement and are appropriate for a child’s short attention span. This is why the learning activities of my program combine these two methods. They are designed to stimulate creativity and exploration in a playful manner.

 

However, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I make sure your child learns the way he/she is more comfortable learning. I also love and implement some of the Regio Amelia philosophy.  But again, I am loyal to your child, not a philosophy!.

 

My program offers a play-based emergent curriculum. This means that children's natural curiosity is fostered and used to inspire the development of learning activities. I allow learning to take place by letting children choose activities that match their own interests and ideas.

 

I pay close attention to children’s passion, interest, and excitement which makes them feel included and builds self-esteem. This, in turn, fosters mutual goodwill and the development of meaningful relationships with adults and peers.

 

Moreover, I build on children’s learning through carefully planned play-based activities and experiences based on close observations of their play and information provided by parents and primary caregivers.

 

My program also provides fun activities that promotes a lifelong habit of physical activity through the implementations of obstacle courses, music, and dancing.

 

Furthermore, recent research argues that children who are exposed to different languages are better at communicating, more empathetic toward others, and experience less difficulties learning other languages later in life. Since my first language is Spanish, the children in my program will be exposed to it from time to time, through songs and basic vocabulary exposure. I strongly believe this will be beneficial to them.

 

I also believe that children learn best when they are happy and motivated. Therefore, my curriculum nurtures children's natural talents and interests, which enriches the development of their cognitive, social-emotional, physical and language skills.

 

I use the ELECT model as well as How Does Learning Happens? (Ontario's recently developed pedagogy) to observe children and plan a developmentally and age-appropriate curriculum.

 

Outdoor play is also very important and it is part of our daily routine, so children will spend at least an hour in the morning and afternoon, daily and year-round, which will expose them to different weather conditions.

 

 

Why choose Love Seedlings?

Because I’m passionate about my job! I love guiding children into this reality and I invest 100% of my energy in maximizing their learning of fundamental skills.

 

In the spring, we get caterpillars delivered for our lesson called “Butterfly Life Cycle”. Children get to experience their daily transformation, a wonderful process of life. Once developed, the butterflies are released. 

 

In addition, the kids go outside every single day, rain or shine - unless there is a thunderstorm.  I do ask for rain suits and proper gear so the children can enjoy themselves outside.

 

I believe that encouraging a child to go outside in all types of weather builds resilience.  

 

Also, I use a daycare app called Brightwheel which I update throughout the day with photos and other information for parents' peace of mind.

 

One last thing in case you are still deciding; I usually get someone to help me as soon as I have 5 children enrolled. I’m hoping to keep on doing that.

 

 

Resources for Parents

 

A lot of research has been done on the significance of play for young children and the benefits of exposing children to different languages. Below are some resources you may find helpful if you'd like more information.
 

• Play, Its the Way Young Children Learn, Action Alliance for Children

      (Click here)

 

• CMEC Statement on Play-Based Learning, Council of Ministers of Education (Click here)

 

• Why Play?, Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (Click here)

 

• Play Counts: Enjoy Mathematics with your Child, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Click here)

   

• The benefits of exposing younger children to multiple languages (Click here)

 

• Why exposing your children to another language is one of the best things you can do. (Click here)

 

• Studies Suggest Multilingual Exposure Boosts Children's Communication Skills (Click here)