Imagine a group of smiling faces as diverse as the colours in a rainbow. Walnut Creek’s inclusive kindergartens are a place where each child shines with their uniqueness. Learning is not a one size fits all. It’s an experience of discovery and a variety of activities, wrapped in the package of friendship and fun – more help.
Walnut Creek kindergartens are focused on helping every child to feel that they belong. Diversity is not only welcomed, but celebrated. Staff and teachers go the extra mile to foster an atmosphere where diversity is not only accepted, but celebrated. The aim is to create a learning experience that allows every child to excel, no matter what their style of learning or abilities are.
Imagine the joy in a room full of laughter. The air is filled with laughter, playful arguments, and questions. These kindergarten teachers are magicians. They’ll turn math into a game and phonics in to a song. Their creativity would make Picasso seem lazy. They know exactly how to keep children on their feet! They keep children’s minds busy with colorful games and lively stories.
Don’t forget the parents. Walnut Creek does not leave parents on the sidelines. They take off their shoes, and dive right in. Together, teachers and parents waltz through the early years of education as one team. The parents and teachers brainstorm together, chat over coffee and laugh at the antics of the children. In a way, it’s like raising a kid in a village. And there is always space for another child.
These kindergartens are excellent at fostering friendships beyond crayons and paper. Inclusion means that children are brought together by activities which teach them empathy and co-operation. Have you ever seen kindergarteners working on group projects that are a bit chaotic? Like watching little diplomats discuss how to stack the blocks so that nothing falls over. The children learn patience and how to share success. The story is heartwarming and funny at times.
But it is not just fun. The dedication of teachers is evident in all the details. Some say they work like elves in Santa’s Workshop, crafting lesson plans to speak to the learning levels of each child. The teachers use different teaching methods and mix up the lessons. They engage the curious minds of children with everything from arts and science experiments. There are many ways to teach children the ABCs and numbers in their time.
Nature is a big part of this landscape. On sunny days, kids can be seen running around in wide open spaces or getting dirty with gardening. They may also enjoy leaf collection and bug investigation. What about those California rainy days? These educators have created cozy indoor hubs for reading, puzzles and games.
Walnut Creek kindergartens show that education doesn’t only involve numbers and alphabets. The goal is to foster a feeling of belonging, and create compassionate people for tomorrow. Each child who leaves the program has learned much more than just facts. They have made friends and gained an understanding of the diversity of people in this world. Each brush stroke by the little artists brightens the picture and the future.
Next time you pass a Walnut Creek kindergarten, keep in mind that something special happens behind the doors. This is a place that teaches children to not only love to learn, but also to respect and cherish their differences. Let’s salute the doers and dreamers who are making the little corner of the globe a better one, tiny steps at a time.