Wise Owl Preschool & Child Care Provides a Play Based Teaching Philosophy Accompanied By Experience Early Learning Curriculum.
We believe we have a responsibility to provide a high quality educational program for children to think creatively so they may succeed in a complex and ever-changing world. Purposeful play is developmentally appropriate and a significant element of any early childhood program. The following emphasizes the importance of play in a child’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
Play is a way of learning for children. During a typical preschool day there will be structured and unstructured periods, enabling children to learn at their own rate. Values that support learning through play include: • Children are viewed as thinkers, reflecting about their world • Purposeful play is when children learn through the process of their efforts • Children gain knowledge by building on a path of ever increasing knowledge • Children are encouraged to make choices and practice individual decision-making
Learning environments support purposeful play by: • Blocks of various sizes and materials • Materials and time for dramatic, imaginative play • Manipulative and table toys • Art materials and tools to explore • Sensory play materials, including sand and water • A library area • Music and movement activities • Cooking experiences • Computer exploration • Outdoor and gross motor play • A quiet area for the child who needs to be alone • Ample and rich language and print • Writing tools and materials Adapted from the Evanston Early Childhood Directors’ Council, POSITION STATEMENT: THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY TO CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS...“Playing to Learn/Learning to Play”
To support our play based program we provide an infant, toddler, & preschool age program. We utilize Experience Early Learning Curriculum, a variety of toys, learning materials, reading, games, outdoor activities, sensory activities, music and so much more. We believe by encouraging a healthy independence of life skills builds a foundation for successful learning from birth through all ages. As educators walking hand in hand with children, we can learn and grow together. As children learn through everyday experiences, we utilize the Experience Early Learning tools to help extend their learning as they explore the classroom, community, and everything in the world that surrounds them. Our program grows with your child from birth through age 5.