Child’s Play: Where Concordia Kids Thrive
By Concordia Connection Staff Writer
Laura Allen’s week begins with a single idea – a spark to ignite the children’s imaginations.
As Director of the Concordia Child Care Centre, Allen and her staff observe the children in their care to find out what interests them. “When our children are interested in something,” she explains, “they participate and truly learn.”
Through immersive learning, science, language, math, sensory and dramatic play, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive learning converge.
“A great example of the emergent curriculum is when one of our children noticed bubbles in the fish tank. We started researching why this happened. We used our tablet to research, watching videos and reading articles. Through this, we learnt that the bubbles were a signal that our fish was happy!”
“I love allowing our children to see something from start to finish. So, we might grow plants or bake something from scratch,” says Allen. “We’re teaching our children to be curious, and they thrive on this.”
The Concordia Child Care Centre staff cares for 8 infants and 16 preschoolers. The parents are actively involved through the Parent Advisory Council and a new app called Hi-Mama, where they can share photos, stories, artwork, and ideas with the staff.
“We love to take our children on adventures around our Centre so they can experience the world through all five senses,” Allen says. We’re about to reintroduce intergenerational programming, where we spend time with Concordia Place residents doing activities. The children and the residents benefit from seeing each other’s joy.”
Learning at the Centre is emergent based, ranging from dramatic play to multisensory learning to storytelling. Why not try it at home? Find out what your child is interested in and be expansive. Include all the senses, involve a field trip, and make learning an experience!
Benefits of Child Care:
Socialization and interaction
Connection and Communication
Consistency and Routine
Autonomy and Independence
The Concordia Child Care Centre offers an engaging curriculum and immersive learning in a safe and stimulating environment. It has been providing a high level of quality childcare and early education for the past 15 years.
The Importance of Immersive Play for Preschool Children
Immersive play is a cornerstone of early childhood development, offering preschool children a rich tapestry of experiences that are crucial for their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Unlike structured activities, immersive play encourages children to engage deeply with their environment, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and resilience.
This type of play involves all the senses and allows children to explore their imaginations, leading to a profound understanding of the world around them. Through immersive play, children develop essential life skills such as cooperation, communication, and adaptability, which lay a strong foundation for their future learning and personal development. By diving into imaginative worlds and scenarios, preschoolers gain the confidence and curiosity needed to navigate and make sense of their surroundings, making immersive play an invaluable aspect of early childhood education.
