Open Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 5:45 PM
Clawson, MI
248-840-6270
| Welcome | Program | Typical Day | Principles | About Us | Contact |
We believe in a respectful approach to raising children. This means recognizing that every child is born competent. In recognition of her competence, we give a child time, space, love and support to be herself. We respect a child’s need to discover the world in her own way and aim to refrain from interfering. We observe a child carefully in order to understand her perspective and meet her unique needs. Respect also includes offering children consistency with clearly defined limits and expectations to develop self-confidence, discipline and cooperation.
We emphasize process over product because every moment
of every day children are forming lifelong attitudes
about work and play. They are not just learning new
skills but also how to learn. When a child learns to
do something on her own, to be inwardly involved, to
experiment, to overcome difficulties then she can
experience the joy and satisfaction of the process
without attachment to the result.
We believe that the best curriculum for the young child is life itself. We engage in daily activities with a pace and rhythm suited to a child’s unfolding abilities so that he can actively participate. We observe him to see what he is doing and try not to interrupt but rather wait or invite him to participate in something new, such as a diaper change. This shows respect for the child’s independence and elicits cooperation.
We recognize that young children unconsciously absorb everything in their environment. Thus, we take loving care of our home and garden so that the children can be surrounded by beauty. We strive to maintain a conscious awareness of our attitudes and actions so that we can exemplify patience, joy and kindness. We also offer predictable routines to aid in the development of healthy habits, clear thinking and cooperation.
We encourage freedom of movement for infants as well
as toddlers. Children are never put into a position
that they cannot get into themselves. Thus, we
refrain from using walkers, swings, bouncy seats or any
contraption that confines or physically supports a
child. Freedom of movement is crucial for the
development of gross and fine motor skills as well as
the development of creativity and problem-solving
skills. Furthermore, it promotes a healthy posture
which will serve the child for life!
We recognize play as the way children learn about the world. When given plenty of uninterrupted playtime a child is able to discover what it is he would like to learn and how he would like to learn it. Playful early childhood experiences provide the foundation for future academic success. When a child experiences throwing a ball or balancing on a teeter-totter his later study of trajectories or levers in physics will be grounded in real life experiences.
We are committed to providing an environmental education for young children. Young children tend to develop an emotional attachment to what is familiar and comfortable to them. If they are to maintain a sense of connectedness to the natural world, they need frequent positive experiences with the outdoors. Each day throughout the year we provide such opportunities for the children. During all activities, we strive to share the child’s inborn sense of wonder at the mystery of the world in which we live.
We value human interaction over experiences with
electronic media. Children learn how to be socially
responsible from their interactions and conversations
with other human beings. Electronic media offers a
one-sided conversation that appeals to the eyes and
ears only. Young children relate to the world using
all of their senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and
hearing. For example, when a child asks to “see”
something she is really asking to manipulate the
object, to touch, smell and taste it, to “see” if it
makes a noise. We support a child’s innate desire to
be an active participant in the world around her
rather than a passive observer.
Caregiving and educational principles based upon the insights of Emmi Pikler, Hungarian Pediatrician; Magda Gerber,founder of Resources for Infant Educarers; Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education; and Lifeways North America.
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