Our Philosophy
At the Salmo Children’s Centre we believe that children learn through play and social interaction, and that opportunities for learning come from everyday experiences. Each experience is an opportunity to learn and expand the children’s knowledge. The teachers take opportunities to observe the children, noting their interests. Then, they choose activities that will expand on those interests. Songs, games and stories often happen spontaneously, when the mood hits. A curriculum that is full of learning is possible by taking advantage of each interaction, and each routine, and by allowing enough time for the child to play, to practice skills, to build friendships, and to concentrate on their interests and questions.
We would like to acknowledge Margie Carter and Deb Curtis who wrote the following passage and published it in their book, “Guardians of Childhood.” It is a wonderful description of what we envision for our centre.
A child-centered curriculum is about creating spaces for preserving childhood. It involves slowing down and paying attention to all of the possibilities for beauty, curiosity, delight and a sense of community, in the classroom.
The environment sets the stage by creating an atmosphere and opportunity for engagement, rather than structuring the classroom with rigid rules that make needs invisible.
The space and the adults must be flexible to work as a guardian of childhood, one must be an improvisational artist, responding to needs, rearranging space, creating new ways for discovery and relationships.
A child-centered curriculum is about creating spaces for preserving childhood. It involves slowing down and paying attention to all of the possibilities for beauty, curiosity, delight and a sense of community, in the classroom.
The environment sets the stage by creating an atmosphere and opportunity for engagement, rather than structuring the classroom with rigid rules that make needs invisible.
The space and the adults must be flexible to work as a guardian of childhood, one must be an improvisational artist, responding to needs, rearranging space, creating new ways for discovery and relationships.