West Coast Early Learning Centre
14016 32 AVE V4P2J2 Surrey, BC, Canada

I have had the opportunity to hear @dr.vanessalapointe speak at several events. One of my all time favs at a conference. This will be so good and you can do it from your home in your pjs if you want! Go to childcareoptions.ca to register. @childcareoptions

Her lunch box note inspired a reply to her family. printing with purpose #letthechildrenplay #southsurreywhiterock

We were all excited to see if B had a new lunchbox note! And he did. B’s mama often makes us laugh at drop off, riding her imaginary horse or rowing her imaginary boat across the street to the parking lot. When we read her note the whole group burst out into giggles. ... The giggles faded to a deep concentration as B worked to write back to his mama. Many of the children looked on quietly as he asked me how to write his message. There were some other children who became interested in putting their own names on their art and some who didn’t care about the letters at all yet. And that is okay too. #letthechildrenplay #outdoorpreschool #southsurreywhiterock

Children will let you know when they’re ready to learn to read and write. They will show an interest. Tracing letters on a worksheet because you have to does not support deep, meaningful learning. Lately this child has been writing his name anywhere and everywhere. With paint on paper, with mud on his friend’s muddy buddy, in the sand with a stick. Today he had a note in his lunch box from his mama ... Would you like to write her a note back? Yes! That was a purposeful reason to try to print. It was hard work and he really wanted to do it, not because he had to but because he wanted to. All of the fine motor activities we have done to strengthen fingers, all the big paintings, the little drawings. When it comes to development, trust the process. Children need to play to build the foundation for further learning. #letthechildrenplay #outdoorpreschool #southsurreywhiterock

I have an idea. I need one of those big trees from the construction area. #loosepartsplay #letthechildrenplay #letthemcreate #outdoorpreschool #1000hoursoutside #southsurreywhiterock

Hey! Look at our pumpkin patch! This invitation to play sparked a lot of wondering and creativity. Some pumpkins were decorated, some were explored a little bit deeper! #letthechildrenplay #outdoorpreschool #playoutside #southsurreybc

This was too interesting not to share from @learning.wild The importance of play. Real play. Where children are free to decide when, where, how, who. Not decided or directed by an adult. We love observing children playing and then providing materials to support their play. Not materials provided with an expectation of what they will do with them, just things we think may be interesting to the children. It’s so amazing to watch what they come up with when they’re left alone to try their ideas. Not to mention, isn’t amazing to think how their brains are growing! #letthechildrenplay #playislearning #southsurreybc

Have you ever set out materials for children with an idea in mind? Then once the children start using the materials, you think, hmm... that wasn’t my intention? We had materials set out to create Fall wreaths to take home. The children were curious about the hole punches to make our nature glitter. Preschoolers are often excited to make something to take home. ... One child explored with the liquid glue. Smearing it all over a dinosaur. Another child noticed and asked him what he was doing. My dinosaur is throwing up, he replied. They both laughed. Can I play with you? she asked him. Yes! he was thrilled to have someone join him. They played together, slathering glue on dinosaurs. At times the glue was throw up, scary stuff, and sunscreen. The important part of this wasn’t creating a Fall wreath. These children were able to express their creativity, work together and develop friendships. Dinosaurs wash, children wash. Let the children play. #letthechildrenplay #letthemcreate #letthemgetmessy #naturepreschool #outdoorpreschool #southsurreybc See more

While out collecting beautiful leaves, we found some muddy puddles. Then one of the children discovered a slimy friend. And then a friend for her slimy friend! The children worked together to make the slugs comfortable, complete with a moss bed and leaf blankets. #naturepreschool #playoutside #southsurreybc

Happy Thanksgiving! Give your little helpers a job in the kitchen this weekend. It might be messy but it’s memories. The sense of pride they feel by helping their grown ups is worth the cranberry sauce on the floor. #letthembelittle #letthemgetmessy

Costumes, dance party and pumpkin slime! Happy Halloween