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What to Expect
at a Wild Nook Class
We Get Messy!
We understand that the idea of messy play might seem daunting, but rest assured, we manage the mess to suit the activities at hand. While some children may get a bit more involved, that’s perfectly okay! We always have water and clean-up supplies ready to ensure a smooth transition at the end of each class.
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Messy play is a vital part of the learning process for all ages, offering incredible benefits for your child’s development. The more engaged they are, the more they learn. Here’s how messy play positively impacts your child:
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Hand-Eye Coordination: Enhances their ability to coordinate movements with what they see.
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Problem Solving: Encourages creative thinking and finding solutions.
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Brain Development: Stimulates cognitive growth through sensory exploration.
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Fine Motor Skills: Boosts dexterity and control through hands-on activities.
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Imagination: Fosters creativity and imaginative play.
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We Encourage Risky Play
Risky play like climbing, balancing, jumping, and sliding may sound intimidating, but it’s a valuable part of childhood development that offers numerous benefits. It involves activities that challenge children in ways that are exciting, slightly risky, but still safe. Here’s how risky play positively impacts your child:
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Boosts Confidence and Resilience: By taking on challenges and overcoming obstacles, children build self-confidence and learn to bounce back from failures.
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Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: Risky play encourages kids to assess risks, make decisions, and solve problems creatively.
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Improves Physical Skills: Activities like climbing, balancing, and exploring help develop strength, coordination, and motor skills.
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Encourages Independence: Children learn to trust their abilities and become more self-reliant through managing risks and navigating challenges.
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Fosters Social Skills: Playing in challenging environments helps kids learn to cooperate, negotiate, and communicate with peers.
By embracing risky play, we support your child’s growth, resilience, and overall well-being.
We Facilitate Play
What is play?
At Wild Nook, we view play as a multifaceted experience that goes beyond mere fun. While enjoyment is a key aspect, play encompasses several important elements:
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Developmental Function: Play is essential for children's growth and learning. It supports the development of physical skills, cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional regulation.
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Creative Expression: Play often involves imaginative and creative activities such as role-playing, storytelling, and artistic endeavors. The emphasis is on exploration and self-expression.
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Process-Oriented: We focus on the journey rather than the end result. In process-oriented play, the value is found in the act of experimenting, discovering, and engaging with the activity itself.
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Intrinsic Motivation: Play is driven by the joy and satisfaction derived from the activity, rather than by external rewards or specific outcomes.
Explorers, Guides,
and Teachers
Explorers: Children ages 18 months to 8 years. Our Explorers are the heart of our learning experience. Once we introduce a topic and set the stage for play, it’s the Explorers who drive the learning through their engagement and curiosity.
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Guides: Supportive figures such as parents, caregivers, grandparents, and other loved ones who participate alongside the Explorers. Guides play a crucial role in encouraging and supporting the Explorers as they navigate their learning journey.
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Teacher: The facilitator of play, responsible for designing and setting up experiences that center on learning. The Teacher creates an environment where Explorers can thrive and engage meaningfully with the content.
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