Learning to Flourish was born from a deep passion for creating a nurturing, educationally rich environment where children can truly thrive. Founded by a licensed teacher and former Reading Specialist, with years of experience in early childhood education, our school is the realization of a dream to provide families with more than just childcare. As a mother of three, our founder understands the importance of a safe, supportive space where children can flourish not only academically but emotionally and socially.
Guided by the principles of Positive Psychology, Learning to Flourish is intentionally designed to foster positive emotions, deep engagement, strong relationships, meaning, and accomplishment—elements scientifically proven to enhance well-being. We believe that learning should be joyful and that the journey of education is about more than just academic skills; it’s about helping children discover their unique strengths and potential.
Our commitment to our families is unwavering. Every day, we provide high-quality childcare that supports both the mind and heart, cultivating an environment where children can develop the skills to flourish in every area of life. At Learning to Flourish, we are not just building strong students; we are building resilient, happy, and confident individuals who will carry the art of flourishing with them into the future.
Pathways to Flourishing Curriculum Overview
Early Literacy: Building Strong Foundations
Our Early Literacy program, inspired by the research of Fountas and Pinnell, nurtures children's natural curiosity in a play-based, print-rich environment. High-quality picture books and daily read-alouds ignite a love for reading while building foundational literacy skills. Visual, tactile, and movement-based activities help children master letter identification, formation, and the alphabetic principle in a dynamic and engaging way.
Tot Program: Laying the Foundation for Literacy
Our Tot Program introduces young learners to literacy through daily whole-group instruction. Activities include:
- Poems/Rhymes: Short, rhythmic, and repetitive poems or rhymes specified in the lesson plan to engage children and build early language skills.
- Daily Read-Alouds: Teachers read picture books aloud to nurture a love for stories and introduce concepts of print.
- Hands-On Activities: Students participate in interactive activities for exposure and guided practice of learning targets using engaging materials.
Small group instruction allows teachers to meet the individual needs of students, supporting the development of alphabetic knowledge and early phonics skills in a nurturing environment.
Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten Workshops: Engaging and Interactive Learning
Our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Workshops offer a balanced approach that combines teacher-led instruction with opportunities for hands-on exploration. These workshops are designed to foster both independence and collaboration while building essential skills:
- Focused Whole-Group Instruction: Each session begins with a dynamic, 10-minute teacher-led activity that introduces key skills in a concise and engaging manner.
- Hands-On Exploration: Following the group activity, students delve into interactive, interest-driven activities that reinforce learning and spark curiosity.
Whole-Group Workshop: Building Literacy Together
Our whole-group teaching methods captivate young learners and provide a solid foundation for literacy:
- Interactive Read-Alouds: Teachers bring stories to life by reading aloud and pausing for meaningful discussions that deepen comprehension and encourage critical thinking.
- Shared Reading: Teachers and students read texts together, enhancing language development, phonemic awareness, and engagement through repetition and active participation.
- Interactive Writing: A collaborative strategy where teachers and students write together, sharing the pen. This approach develops phonemic awareness, letter-sound connections, and early writing skills.
To further enhance foundational literacy, the Heggerty Phonological Awareness Curriculum provides structured, engaging activities that develop sound awareness in young learners.
Collaborative Math: Building Understanding Together
Collaborative Math fosters cooperation, co-teaching, and shared responsibility. Teachers gently guide children to recognize patterns and discover relationships in their natural environment. Mathematical learning is enriched through high-quality texts, Number Talks, and engaging math-friendly activities.
The foundation of Cooperative Math emphasizes the importance of early math learning as a collaborative process. By focusing on math concepts from early childhood, we build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and problem-solving skills.
Young learners develop essential skills such as recognizing patterns, making comparisons, and problem-solving. Through manipulatives and engaging activities, children build concrete understandings that evolve into deeper mathematical insights.
Key Strategies:- Active Learning: Using manipulatives, students explore math concepts in hands-on, meaningful ways.
- Picture Books: Engaging stories introduce mathematical concepts in an accessible and enjoyable way, sparking curiosity and discussion.
- Math Talks: Group discussions that enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication.
- Math Journals: A tool for documenting growth and understanding, encouraging reflection and conceptual learning.
- Learning Games: Cooperative activities reinforce skills while promoting teamwork and fun.
- Counting Principles: Developing number sense through consistent counting sequences, understanding one-to-one correspondence, and grasping the total quantity represented by the final number in a count.
- Counting Skills: Applying numbers to compare, measure, and solve everyday problems, forming the basis for advanced learning.
- Measurement: Exploring size, weight, and quantity through standard and informal tools.
- Patterns: Recognizing and creating predictable sequences in objects, sounds, or actions to build problem-solving skills.
- Shapes: Understanding the characteristics of objects, including size, angles, and transformations.
- Spatial Awareness: Learning about relationships between objects and navigating spaces through concepts like near/far, above/below, and left/right.
- Basic Operations: Introducing addition and subtraction to calculate totals and differences in meaningful contexts.
Cooperative Math creates a community where children actively share and model their mathematical thinking. By building on skills over time, we provide young learners with the tools to grow their understanding and confidence in math.
Studio Sessions: Creativity and Exploration
Studio sessions are dynamic spaces where children explore diverse fields like art, music, science, and philosophy through inquiry-based learning inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. These sessions spark curiosity and encourage children to research, analyze, and document their findings while creating meaningful projects.
Key Components:
- Topic Exploration: Guided by the children's interests, themes evolve based on their curiosity and engagement, often lasting several weeks.
- Collaborative Learning: Teachers and children co-create the curriculum, valuing each child's input and fostering a sense of belonging.
- Investigation: Resources like books, artifacts, and digital tools broaden understanding. Guest speakers, field trips, and authentic materials deepen engagement.
- Creation: Units culminate in art-based projects, such as poems, sculptures, or plays, showcasing children's understanding and creativity.
Studio sessions nurture perspective-taking, critical thinking, and the joy of discovery, empowering children to make meaningful contributions to the world.
Community Meetings: Building Connection and Focus
Community Meetings are a daily opportunity to foster connection, share the day's agenda, and build essential life skills like active listening and turn-taking.
Structure:
- Opening: Children sit in assigned spots, fostering focus and attentive listening. Begin by greeting each child by name and reviewing the day's schedule, highlighting special events or changes.
- Rules and Expectations: Reinforce classroom rules and discuss the importance of caring for oneself, others, and shared spaces.
- Gratitude Share: Use prompts like "What made you feel proud recently?" for children to share their responses through quick shares, a gratitude board, or a group list.
Community Meetings create a predictable and inclusive environment that supports emotional growth, collaboration, and daily readiness.
Self-Directed Play: Fostering Independence and Creativity
Self-directed play emphasizes autonomy, allowing children to decide what, how, and with whom they play. This approach nurtures independence, creativity, and self-initiative while fostering problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and social abilities like negotiation and collaboration.
Implementation:
- Fostering Creativity: Provide open-ended materials like drawing supplies, play-doh, or recycled project items to inspire innovation and sustained engagement.
- Balancing Structure and Freedom: Incorporate free-choice periods during the day, empowering children to follow their curiosity and interests.
Self-directed play supports holistic development, allowing children to grow as independent, creative, and socially adept learners.
Yoga and Mindfulness: Inspiring Wellness and Focus
At Learning to Flourish, yoga and mindfulness are key components of our daily routine, designed to promote physical health, emotional balance, and a sense of inner peace. These activities align with our positive education philosophy, helping children develop awareness, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for well-being.
Yoga Highlights:
- Body Awareness: Children explore yoga poses to build a deeper understanding of their body's movements and capabilities.
- Breathing Techniques: Fun, simple exercises like "balloon breathing" teach children to calm and center themselves, supporting emotional regulation.
- Physical Strength & Balance: Yoga strengthens growing bodies and improves balance, encouraging confidence in physical abilities.
- Mind-Body Connection: Through intentional movement and focus, children learn how their physical actions influence their emotions and mindset.
Mindfulness Highlights:
- Self-Awareness: Children practice noticing their thoughts and feelings, fostering emotional intelligence.
- Mindful Breathing: Gentle breathing techniques help children manage stress and develop focus.
- Attentive Listening: Activities like listening to the sound of a bell encourage focus and presence.
- Appreciation of the Moment: Mindfulness activities inspire children to savor experiences and enjoy the here and now.
By weaving yoga and mindfulness into the fabric of our day, we empower children to build strength, focus, and emotional resilience—skills they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Outdoor Learning: Connecting with Nature
At Learning to Flourish, we believe a deep connection to the outdoors is essential for maintaining positive well-being. Our curriculum integrates outdoor exploration into daily activities, linking it with key educational areas such as Early Literacy, Cooperative Math, Studio, Mindfulness, and Yoga.
Implementation Insights:
- Daily Outdoor Exploration: Outdoor activities like nature walks, gardening, and outdoor learning sessions are woven into the daily schedule.
- Integrated Outdoor Learning: Reading under a tree, using natural materials for math practice, or conducting science experiments outdoors.
- Interactive Play: Physical activities like obstacle courses, tag games, and age-appropriate sports foster physical development.
- Conservation and Sustainability: Lessons on reducing waste, conserving energy, and recycling are incorporated into daily activities.
- Gardening and Growth: Hands-on gardening activities allow children to plant seeds, care for plants, and learn about healthy eating and sustainability.
- Seasonal Learning: Weather observation and discussions about seasonal changes help children understand the world around them.
- Scientific Exploration: Hands-on investigations, nature journaling, and sensory exploration encourage curiosity and discovery in the outdoor environment.
By immersing children in outdoor learning, we nurture their love for the environment, respect for nature, and understanding of their role in preserving it for future generations.
