My son, Erik, at Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, AB - 6 years old
Philosophy
The educational philosophy that Monkey Tree is most connected with is the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education. The Reggio Approach is child-led, using their exploration and discovery of the environment (indoors and outdoors), art and learning materials, and their peers. Children discover HOW to think, not WHAT to think.
Nature matters to children!
- The seasons, the weather, the trees, the flowers.
- Birds, animals, streams, prairies, mountains, and the ocean.
- Children use all their senses to make ‘sense’ of their immediate world.
- Children are true constructors of their knowledge. BUT if they are never, rarely, or sometimes given the opportunity to explore and discover, the windows of opportunity slowly begin to close.
The early years are the most critical time for children’s development. You might have heard of ‘hard wiring’ in the brain. Brain development in very young children is rapid and the exposure to certain activities has imperative timing. Outdoor exploration and play is beneficial to children's development of their whole body and spirit.
Goals
Monkey Tree focuses on the development of the whole child.
Each individual child is provided with the highest quality care with the emphasis on building a positive and healthy self-concept. This is done through focusing on opportunities that meet their needs and maximizes growth physically, socially, intellectually, creatively, and emotionally.
Recording and Reflecting
Documentation of children’s learning and experiences adds yet another unique dimension to this program. Through photographs, dialogue, voice and video recordings, artwork, and displays of their work, children are able to reflect upon their process. This type of recording and reflection fosters a healthy perspective for a child’s emotional journey. This in turn encourages socialization, problem solving, and building theories. Children will develop a positive attitude toward learning, self-concept, self-control, and a sense of worth and belonging. Through documenting, a sense of pride, accomplishment, and value is immediately attached to your child’s work.
Activities and Focus
- Group discussions with songs and stories, as well as individual opportunities to share meaningful experiences with the group
- Safety in nature
- Nature walks
- Familiarity with the four directions
- Nature awareness games and activities
- Plant and animal awareness
- Seasons, food, and cultural awareness
- Sensory awareness
- Nature skills
Giving Back
During the 2016/2017 school year, Monkey Tree donated $20 every month during the school year to a different local charity by choice of our families. Sometimes our families donated as well! Thank you!
September 2016 MARS, and one our families generously matched it! ($40 total) Mountaineer Avian Rescue Society
October 2016 Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society, and one of our families generously matched it! ($40 total)
November 2016 Comox Branch of the SPCA, and one of our families generously matched it! ($40 total)
December 2016, Monkey Tree donated $20 the Safehaven Refugee Sponsorship Group. This group is sponsoring a 7 member Syrian family, who are in Turkey right now. They will be here in the Comox Valley, hopefully in 2017.
January 2017, Strathcona Wilderness Institute, and one of families generously donated $20, and another family generously donated $10 ($50 total)
February 2017 Cumberland Community Forest Society ($20)
March 2017 Comox Valley Naturalists Society, and one of our families generously matched it! ($40 total)
April 2017 Comox Valley Child Development Association ($20)
May 2017 YANA ($20)
June 2017 Comox Valley Project Watershed Society ($25)
AMAZING CONTRIBUTIONS THIS SCHOOL YEAR 2016/2017 Totaling $315