Valley Daycare pulls its curriculum and philosophies from many educational approaches, including Montessori, Reggie Emilia, High Scope, and Waldorf.
NEW COLOR
One unique aspect of Waldorf education is the thoughtful choice of classroom colors. We have chosen to paint the walls light red for our infant to preschool classrooms, emphasizing nurturing and enriching environments for young children. This decision is rooted in Waldorf philosophy. But why light red? Let's delve into the reasoning behind this choice and how it benefits our little ones.
Colors have a profound impact on our emotions and behavior, and this is especially true for young children. According to color psychology, different hues can influence mood, cognitive development, and physical well-being. Light red is known for its warm and inviting properties, making it an ideal choice for environments where young children spend a lot of time.
Light red creates a sense of coziness and security. Feeling safe and nurtured is essential for the healthy development of infants and young children. The gentle hue of light red helps to foster a comforting atmosphere, making children feel at home in their learning environment. Light red strikes a balance by providing gentle stimulation without overwhelming the senses. It helps to create a harmonious environment conducive to focused learning and play. Light red is associated with feelings of love and affection. We aim to promote emotional balance and a sense of belonging by surrounding children with this color. This is particularly important for infants to preschoolers, who are just beginning to navigate their emotions and social interactions. Light red encourages children to explore their creative potential with its warm and inviting tone. Whether it's through art, imaginative play, or storytelling, the color fosters an environment where creativity can flourish.
CLASSROOM UPGRADES
In addition to our colorful makeover, we are excited to announce some significant upgrades to our classrooms that will further enrich our children's learning experience. We are swapping out one of the current hand-washing sinks in each classroom for deeper dishwashing sinks and installing butcher block food prep areas. We have also purchased new classroom place settings, cutlery, and food prep materials. These upgrades are designed to promote essential life skills such as dishwashing, food preparation, and table manners - integral parts of the Montessori approach to education.
By installing dishwashing sinks, we provide children with the opportunity to learn about responsibility and cleanliness. Washing dishes and prepping meals are practical life skills that helps children develop their fine motor and understand the importance of contributing to their community.
*Shout out to Rustic Elegance for creating and donating beautiful live edge butcher block tops for our classrooms! Pictures to come! *
NEW PLAY SPACES
Did you know that ten laps around our driveway equals 1 mile?
Thanks to giant stencils from Cornell Cooperative Extension Grants and Fit and Fun Playscapes, we're transforming the paved sections of Valley Daycare into a vibrant activity trail. This kaleidoscope of play activities will help kids increase their physical activity levels, improve self-regulation, and boost mental health. These colorful relay prints will invite our little walkers to tiptoe, sprint, hop, and tightrope, helping them practice their balance and improve cognition. Get ready for a journey filled with fun and adventure right on our driveway!
FRESHENING UP
Following the High Scope method, we are ensuring all of our classrooms include pretend play areas, block areas, manipulatives, sensory areas, and calming areas to provide a safe, hygienic, and optimized learning environment.
These spaces will emphasize decor inspired by Reggio Emilia's philosophies. The organization of the physical environment is crucial in Reggio Emilia's Early Childhood programs and is often referred to as the child's 'Third teacher.' Highlights of Reggio Emilia's classrooms include indoor plants, mirrors, artwork and photographs, and natural materials.
Join Us in Building a Brighter Future
As we embark on this exciting journey to refresh our classrooms with the perfect hue of light red, enhance our facilities to support life skills, and prepare for the new school year, we invite you to participate in this transformation. Your support and contributions will help us create an environment that reflects the warmth, love, and creativity at the heart of Valley Daycare. Let's paint a brighter future for our children, one light red wall, and one life skill at a time!
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Donations can be made by cash, check, or Venmo. Make sure to include your color choice vote in the memo section. Â
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