May 14, 2018
Dear KidsOutAndAbout.com readers:
If you have a child aged 3 to 13 years old, you need to know about The Child's Element. The Child's Element is a unique nature immersion program founded and directed by Sara Lauran.
Highly-qualified teachers from The Child's Element will guide your child's individual development while they're having the time of their lives exploring the world around them and their own imagination. Children build forts, hike mountains, play in the dirt, all while learning so much more than they realize!
Why Outside?
Of course we all think that it's a great idea to get kids outside, but it isn’t just about playing outside. Outdoor play supports Lauran's approach to guiding each child’s development.
Being outside eliminates the distractions and overwhelming stimuli that have become a part of many children's lives. Outside, children can find a balance and take a breath. At the same time, nature's never boring! Different settings and the ever-changing diversity of the natural world provide plenty to stimulate children's love of learning, creativity, imagination, and willingness to take (appropriate) risks. Playing with others, children learn social and emotional skills, stress coping skills, and self- awareness while they gain physical resilience.
Respect for Child's Play
What's really special about The Child's Element isn't what they teach, but how they encourage children to learn.
Lauran believes that children need time to explore their imaginations freely and to think for themselves instead of being directed by an adult. Every day, children play, explore, and collaborate together. They're able to follow their curiosity, exult in their own discoveries, and experience trial and error without fear of failure. Teachers approach children with gentleness and encouragement. Grown-ups meet children at their level, make eye contact, and gently structure children's learning with supportive materials and questions. They offer children the opportunity to make mistakes and learn the process of repair without punishment, but with guidance and understanding. That way every child is left feeling confident to keep trying.
Skills For a Lifetime
The Child's Element curriculum supports essential skills like problem solving, critical thinking, and the ability to follow simple instructions and take personal initiative. It also fosters children's development of their sense of self, emotional resilience, perseverance, and desire to learn. Through play with each other, children learn to take turns, respect others’ opinions, negotiate rules, and work together toward a share goal.
These skills set your child up for lifelong learning success.
The Details
Along with its wonderful pre-school program during the school year in Millcreek, the The Child's Element offers Summer Nature Programs. Here are the details:
Summer Nature Program based in Cotton Wood Heights
Early Years Pre-School Program in based in Mill Creek
They've also got special Saturday Explorations on selected Saturdays from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm throughout the year! Email to suggest a Saturday or to sign up on one of their already scheduled days!
These programs fills up, so don't miss the opportunity to expose your child to a loving and learning adventure this summer! For more information, visit www.thechildselement.org, and for more information or to enroll, email contact@thechildselment.org.
Best,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
