Children play with a purpose. They tend to know exactly what skills they need to work on, and choose activities that help them hone those skills. Therefore, children at Open Minds are given choices whenever possible in what they do. Children become gradually more self-sufficient as they learn new skills. Whenever a child is able to do something for herself, she is given that chance, whether it be putting on a coat, wiping up a spill, or gathering the supplies she needs for a project. Our goal at Open Minds is to create independent, happy children who enjoy school, each other, and learning, and who have the skills needed for success in life and in the school years ahead.