My child’s first year /
My Child's First Year
Enrolling your child in a preschool can be profoundly beneficial for you as a parent. It provides you with valuable time to pursue your professional and personal endeavors, all while knowing that your child is in a secure and nurturing environment. The preschool community fosters connections with other parents, oAering a network of support and shared experiences. Observing your child’s growth, social interactions, and learning milestones is deeply rewarding, aAirming that they are receiving a strong foundation for future educational success. The structured routine of preschool not only aids in your daily planning but also brings a sense of stability and peace of mind, knowing your child is thriving in a caring setting.
In an infant classroom, the primary objectives are to create a secure, nurturing, and stimulating environment that holistically supports each child’s development. This includes fostering physical growth through activities designed to enhance both fine and gross motor skills, and promoting social and emotional development by building strong, trusting relationships. Cognitive growth is encouraged through thoughtfully designed, age-appropriate experiences that engage and inspire young minds. The classroom is dedicated to being responsive to each child’s unique needs and interests, ensuring that every child feels valued and understood. Additionally, the preschool strives to create a culturally and linguistically inclusive environment, respecting and celebrating the diverse backgrounds of all children and their families.
Letting your child go to preschool can be an emotional journey, filled with both apprehension and excitement. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit anxious as you watch your little one take this big step, but it’s also a time of incredible growth and joy. In their first year, they’ll make friends, learn to navigate new environments, and start to understand the world in fascinating ways. The first few years are crucial for brain development, with their brains forming over a million neural connections every second. This period is foundational for their future learning and development. While it might be hard to let go, knowing that your child is in a loving, stimulating environment where they can thrive and grow can bring immense comfort and pride. You’re giving them the best start possible, and that’s something to celebrate!
We are RIE
In the first year at L&L, our teachers apply the RIE (Resources for Infant Educators) philosophy to a classroom, the focus is on creating a respectful and nurturing environment that fosters independence and confidence in young children. Teachers prioritize observing and understanding each child’s unique needs and developmental pace, designing the classroom to be safe and engaging with open-ended materials that encourage exploration and creativity. Lesson plans incorporate activities that promote self-directed play and problem-solving, such as setting up sensory materials like sand and water for children to explore at their own pace, or group activities where children collaborate on building structures with blocks. Throughout these activities, teachers facilitate rather than direct play, asking open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and language development, while respecting each child’s choices and encouraging their natural curiosity and creativity.
Gross motor development
An infant classroom can significantly enhance gross motor development by offering a thoughtfully designed environment that prioritizes safety and engagement. Soft play areas equipped with mats, tunnels, and climbing structures encourage infants to crawl, roll, and climb, fostering essential physical skills. Activities such as tummy time are incorporated to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, while toys that promote reaching, grasping, and pulling aid in developing coordination and strength. By providing a nurturing and stimulating setting, we ensure that infants have ample opportunities for active play and movement, laying a strong foundation for their future physical development. Our dedicated educators are committed to supporting each child’s growth with care and professionalism, creating a space where every infant can thrive.