This school was named The Wilds to embody the wild at heart feeling of our truest self.

 

As a school that is exchanging conformity to embrace the extraordinary, we are here to let imaginations run wild and free.

We support the whole child and are here to connect their curious mind, loving heart and capable body as people are so much more than what they can do. The Wilds focuses on who we choose to be.

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Structured Emergent Play-Based Program:    The foundation of our program is based in play.  Current research shows that children learn and retain new information best through play;  it allows them to interact with new ideas and add them to their knowledge base through their own experiences. Our program uses play invitations to accomplish learning objectives. This means that our daily activities are purposefully chosen and set up for children to approach them as they wish, in their own timing. Our classroom also reflects the class's interests and builds upon previous topics and learning we have done. When the children let us know they are ready to move on from a topic, we are ready to choose something new! Our teachers fill the classroom with skill building play designed to bring out the creative mind. We say that our play is structured because of the mindful objectives which go in to the classroom preparation- while children are free to play and explore on their own, the teachers are using this environment to develop language, cognition, physical and social skills. 

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Project Work:    We LOVE projects! They are an important part of development and the most fun to do! Projects will be chosen by the class and are anything with multiple steps, which we may work on for multiple days. Teachers will take time to foster ideas and fan the flames of creation. A project could be anything from art to building structures, designing forts, creating the solar system... anything our class says they can make, we are going to make it! Project work is so important as it develops expanding communication, problem-solving, and self expression skills; it also requires the exchanging of information and cooperation. Teachers will oversee creations, allowing children to come and go from it as they please. They will encourage thinking through steps and taking risks as we plan. Projects build a sense of community in the classroom and show off capable off the amazing things we can accomplish together!

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Teacher Led Experiences:     The Wilds teachers have their own wonderful talents and skills to share with our students. Our program includes structured time with teachers for in-depth learning, singing and games, reading and story-telling. This time in the day may be spent in community with our whole class, or perhaps in smaller groups, and offers our students opportunities to practice and build on their skills in a more focused way. Time with teachers is often a great place to work on foundational concepts in sciences, math and language in a low pressure way. As some children love to participate, others prefer to observe- we honor your child's approach either way. Teachers challenge the children by encouraging them to think outside of the box and discover answers themselves. They are always on the look out for teachable moments!

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Process over Product:     We borrow inspiration from the Reggio Emilia perspective and celebrate the joy of the process instead of asking students to accomplish projects in a particular way. When it comes to creation, all ideas are welcome! It is much more meaningful for children to feel, manipulate, and even destroy materials as they become familiar with them and test their own visions rather than someone else's. Allowing them to explore freely is an important way for children to gain understanding of how different materials work, respond and function. For these reasons, artwork coming home will always be 100% made by your child. We treat all creations with respect, and showcase all our artists with pride! 

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Independence:     As advocates for self-empowerment,  we know that children are capable of learning the skills to do things independently!  We are 'yes we can!'  or 'I can't do that YET'  people! Children in our classrooms will be supported and encouraged to try everything for themselves! Our rule here is you try first and then we are happy to help. We support children in their independence by modelling skills, walking them through steps, creating opportunities to try the same things in different context, and giving trying adequate time. This includes the following skills in: self-help, bathrooms, food service, clean up, personal choices, and social interactions. 

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Social Emotional Connections:     This learning foundation is the most important, and at a critical stage for preschool aged children. Studies show that social and emotional regulation is one of the best, if not the best,  indicator for a child's future success across many domains, not just education. Teaching children how to connect to, and understand, their emotions is one of most important jobs in early education. We will work with children to strengthen their ability to self regulate, problem solve, grow tolerance for frustration, and apply flexible thinking around these connections.

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Values:     Being able to identify our personal values is integral to developing our self-image. Values are an abstract concept at this age, but important in raising people who know and connect with who they want to be.  Our program gives language to, examples, and modelling of heart-centered values. This will include concepts such as kindness, gratitude, compassion, helpfulness and concepts of the like. Teachers will choose to highlight values which either reflect a need in our classroom, or naturally correspond with something we are learning about. While this may be quietly present in our program, there is evidence of values being integrated everywhere!

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Lastly, our program is built on FUN!

At the end of the day we are here to share a great time together.

So no matter what we are up to, we are focused on fun first!

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