July 2024
In the Infant Program, we’ve started our summer with a few new faces. These children have had a very short time to get to know each other, and they’ve been working on it every day. At this age, relationship building is crucial to positive development with others. Even though one may think the infants aren’t communicating with each other, they have found ways other than speaking to build friendships–not only with their peers, but with their educators and the environment.
Given the beautiful weather, we’ve been going on lots of walks. While we walk, we prompt the children to tap into their senses, asking them what they see, hear, and smell. During mealtimes, educators eat with the children, promoting a home-like environment and modeling how to use utensils. This is also when we ask about their day, encouraging them to reflect on past events. Furthermore, we’ve found different ways to expose them to art, like with colour and cornstarch to make chalk paint for them to utilize in their outdoor environment. The materials in the space are chosen with consideration of the children that occupy the room. This isn’t just a place for children, it’s the children’s place.
We intend to continue working with the infants in our program, and encouraging them to build relationships all around them. We’re so excited to grow with them–the children aren’t the only ones learning, they teach us something new every day!
Megan Ahtila, RECE
Keara Fiset, RECE, OCT
