Each stage of a child’s learning and development forms the foundation for the next. Learning begins at birth and during the first five years children experience very rapid brain development and acquire more skills and knowledge than in any other period in their lives. Calgary Childcare Centre passionately believes in the importance of investing in these foundational years.
Our program is based on Emergent Curriculum. Emergent curriculum is a way of planning curriculum based on the student's interest and passions. To plan an emergent curriculum requires observation, documentation, creative brainstorming, flexibility and patience. Rather than starting with a lesson plan which requires a "hook" to get the children interested, emergent curriculum starts with the children's interests.
Once teachers see an interest "emerging" they brainstorm ways with the children to learn more about the topic. A common technique to do this is called "Webbing". Webbing is often used because of its playful and flexible nature. A web doesn't show everything that will be learned, it shows the many things that "could" be learned. It is important to use the webbing as a tool to open the teacher to all the learning "possibilities". Webbing is a good way to get the ball rolling. Children choose an idea and brainstorm ways that they could make things happen putting all the activities on a web gives you a road map full of possible journeys.
Emergent curriculum allows children to develop long term projects, deep concentration, and the ability to redirect themselves if they are bored or otherwise not engaged in an activity. This is fundamental to development of the positive associations that will support learning throughout their lifespan.
In addition to it, children are placed in a planned environment too which meets their individual educational and cultural needs. The children are free to follow their own interests within this planned environment, rather than being forced to learn something that is inappropriate to their developmental stage. The result is that children develop in a natural way and are highly motivated. They develop good discipline and master basic skills, and in many cases earlier than in a more traditional system of education.
We use Emergent Curriculum because this is how children learn. They learn by doing and self- directing. They will succeed in the future by learning to love learning. Their delight and spontaneous wonder will always be the 1st priority. The education offers our children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out in to the world as engaged, competent, responsible and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.