New Wonders uses a non-traditional approach to learning.  We are a play-based, nature-inspired program.  You may ask what that means, so let us explain. 

Play Based Learning:

Play is often seen as a break from learning or a reward for working hard, but in reality, the best learning happens through play! Play is creativity in its purest form.  When children are allowed to interact with the environment around them, they will discover, inquire and create accordingly. 

Play is not only beneficial, but cruicial to each child's growth and development.  It provides opportunities to foster new gowith in fine and gross motor skills, as well as, exectutive functioning skills.  It promotes a healthy lifestyle by allowing them the opportunity  to move their bodies and experience nature.  It also enables the children to develop emotional regulation skills such as sharing, coping mechanisms, and impulse control.  

The staff at New Wonders will set up the classroom and provide learning opportunities each day that will allow the children the freedom to explore and create freely with the provided materials.  The teachers will have real and meaningful conversations with the children.  They will ask them questions and offer suggestions to help them form connections to learning and new ideas.  The teachers will notice when your child is intersted in something and create opportunities to expand their interest and knowledge.  

Nature-Inpired Learning:

For countless generations, outside play has been a defining part of early childhood.  Unfortunately, over the last few decades with the rise in computers, smart phones, and tablets, most children are spending less and less time outside, interacting with nature.  At New Wonders, we desire to reintroduce the children to the magic of the outdoors.  Outdoor, child-centered play is the goal  Real nature play is interacting with nature itself... catching tiny critters, collecting leaves and rocks, digging for buried treasure, hiding among the bushes, and so much more! 

Studies are showing that nature has powerful and positive impacts on children's healthy growth and development.  When children have the opportunity to actively play and engage with the outside world, the following are only a few of the benefits:

               * Supports creativity and problem solving 

               * Enhances cognitive abilites

               * Improves academic performance

               * Increases physical activity

               * Improves social relations

               * Improves self-discipline

               * Reduces stress

               * Gives them the opportunity to take risks, resulting in higher self-esteem

New Wonders will provide opportunities for your child to experience nature in it's purest form.  The children will have experience building, gardening, composting, caring for animals, observing insects, frogs, birds, and other creatures that may make their way into our play space.  The teachers will document their intersts and provide other learning opportunities to expand those interests.