JARDIN D'ÉVEIL - (TOUTE PETITE SECTION)

Basic Principles

As children learn primarily through play, the Jardin d’éveil program is designed for two year olds to stimulate learning through a range of play activities.

The learning experiences offered in the program are based on the fact that each child develops at his/her own pace and has unique needs and interests. Educators create a supportive and motivating environment that provides opportunities for children to express themselves and at the same time, to develop their potential, skills and self-esteem.

Important development occurs during the first years in all areas of human functioning: social, emotional, physical, linguistic and cognitive.

Social and Emotional Development
As they progress through the program, young children learn how to function in a group, to interact with others and to socialize. Educators support these aspects of development in involving children in group activities and in situations that require them to collaborate with each other. As they address the challenges presented by these activities, children develop self-confidence, learn to respect rules and resolve conflicts.

Physical and Motor Development
Young children develop gross motor control through activities such as walking, running, jumping or climbing, and they develop their fine motor skills through activities that include painting and drawing, stringing beads, shredding and cutting along lines.

Language Development
Children learn to understand others and to express themselves through oral communication. They increase their vocabulary and their phonemic awareness from a very early age. The Jardin d’éveil program introduces children to French with a method that takes their language maturity into account: activities include music, songs, stories, dance and drama. As the children are very young, the program emphasizes comprehension more than expression.

Cognitive Development
Children develop their cognitive skills through activities that allow them to classify or sort objects, and to orient themselves in space and time. They also learn to think, reason, deduce, solve problems and understand their environment.