Kids' Connection: Our Approach

Of course it's great to be nationally accredited and state-licensed, but to us the greatest thing about what we do is the way we do it. Our innovative child care facility operates based on the inclusion principle. That is, children of all abilities learn and grow in the same classrooms. While at the center, children are taught through hands-on, self-directed activities. This developmental approach to learning increases thinking and reasoning skills, while encouraging a child's independence. Specially trained staff insures a well-rounded educational and social program. Kids' Connection fosters a child's curiosity and need for fun. THE INNOVATIVE REGGIO APPROACH Our approach was pioneered by schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy more than 30 years ago.

The program focuses on children, choice and projects. Children are able to decide the curriculum. The teachers are facilitators in that they give assistance as needed with problem solving, gathering materials, and answering questions. The children learn social development through group activities. Incidental learning is a factor in the Reggio approach. Children learn with colors, numbers, dates, etc., by using them in a hands-on approach. We have seen through experience that children learn more from actually doing activities, rather than reading about them. Through Reggio the children are building boats and castles; not just seeing them in books. The pride which is visiblel in the work they produce, as well as the leadership skills developed through group work is beneficial to the development of well-rounded children; social skills will last a lifetime. We are very pleased to offer such an innovative approach to childcare. The children enjoy making the choices of what and when to learn, and the staffs, in turn, have learned that children have a wide variety of interests which they wish to explore further. It just goes to show that you don't have to study turkeys in November or flowers in May to make an impact on children. They know what they want and enjoy the respect of being able to voice it.