At The Giving Garden, the expressive arts (music, dance, paint) play a central role in learning and a unique reciprocal learning relationship exists between teacher and child. Much attention is given to detailed observation and documentation of your child’s learning and the process of learning takes priority over the final product. We believe that every child is competent, curious, creative, and capable. Exploring their curiosities and interests can lead to greater understanding and a greater desire to learn. 

Our teachers act more as facilitators and language providers than anything else.  We accompany children throughout the day exposing them to rich and positive language while presenting them with different learning opportunities using all our environment as a classroom. Each activity is customized to the child’s unique needs and interests. For example, should ocean life become an interest of a student, we find opportunities to reinforce math, problem solving and language skills around this particular subject through play. 

You may notice that our program incorporates elements from the well known Reggio, Waldorf, and Montessori approaches but it is not rigidly defined by any of these.