Program Specification

The programs that are provided by Parkland Players consist of carefully selected activities which directly assist to develop the children’s emotional, social and physical skills. Parkland Players recognizes that emotional development and social skills are essential for school readiness. As a result, the programs provide activities which involve learning through interaction, and playing with other children.

The educators are equipped to help the children gain an understanding of their feelings through the use of books, board games, puppets, interactive storytelling, and role-play. The children are taught to verbalize their feelings. It is important that the children accept their emotional responses to be legitimate. For instance, if a child decides to hit, the feeling of anger and rage is produced. When the child is told to stop it essential to explain to the child that “it’s ok to feel angry; it’s not okay to hurt others”. At this time the child should be invited to share their feelings verbally.

The educators communicate, understand and empathize with the child by reflecting on their emotions, for instance saying things such as: “You seem upset”. At this time if the child feels comfortable and begins talking about their feelings, the educator will remain quiet and listen intently.

The programs provided also concentrate on organizing activities which help the children gradually develop the physical skills required for their adult lives. Physical development includes both growth as well as the ability to use various muscles and body parts for particular skills. Both Gross (large muscle movements) and Fine (small muscle movements), such as motor skills, contribute to physical development, and the children often learn a set of these skills by a certain age. To develop their large motor skills the children play ball, play sports, play at the playground, play jumping games, play running games, climb, bike ride, and play music. The fine motor skills are developed through art, such as tearing tissue paper, gluing on construction paper, cutting coloring, beading, drawing, writing, and sand table activities.

About our Programs

Parkland Players Programs are offered by a team of professional caregivers. The Center focuses on the relationships that comes from care giving. The primary goal is to provide very young children with a feeling of security. The “caregiver system” encourages the formation of a secure attachment between individual children and a consistent caregiver.

This bonding is the foundation of which further development and learning will then occur. During the course of a day the infants and toddlers will engage in many activities such as free play, art, snack time, circle time, story time, and outdoor time, including a neighbourhood walk. The Group Daycare and Out of School Care Programs are very closely in line with the Reggio Emilia Approach.

You can find out more about each of our programs below by clicking on your selected program.