Connect with UNB
Children’s play is rich in stories – important for literacy learning. Through play children express, represent, and interpret their feelings, ideas, and questions through speaking, listening, reading, writing, dancing, singing, drawing, moving, building and construction. All these forms of literate play help us to navigate and explore the unique interests and curiosities of each learner. Our pedagogical strategies include listening, discussing and investigating children’s interests, passions, questions and experiences.
A wide range of texts, such as picture books, poems, songs, maps, signs, recipes, graphs, and charts are introduced to the children both indoors and out. Educators document learning individual, small group and whole class learning experiences to share with families.
We venture outside in all weather. Weather-proof or durable waterproof seasonal wear makes children’s participation in the outdoors possible and enjoyable.
In 2013, our Centre was awarded funding from the TD Bank giving us the opportunity to purchase yellow waterproof splash pants to go over children’s clothing.
We track the weather forecast to support parent planning for outdoor play. In the outdoors educators involve your child in dramatic play, music, storytelling, art, the study of plants, mapping activities, animals and insects.
We have completed the first phase of our playground renovations, thanks to the collective work of our 2012-2013 & 2014-2015 parent advisory committee, educators, Early Childhood Centre, the Dean’s office, and community organization, businesses and families. There will be additional opportunities for family involvement in upcoming phases as we complete this project.
We grow vegetables and flowers in our garden and harvest vegetables for our snacks! When we are outdoors, we monitor the children and the weather closely. Unlike most playgrounds around schools where winds will affect the temperature adversely, we have a brick wall on three sides of the south-facing playground, which provides some shelter from the wind.