Playing to Learn

We all know kids love to play. But did you know they also learn while they play? We’ve learned that kids at play are already building the foundation for their major life skills, including language and literacy, mathematics, science and technology, and the arts. Playtime experiences are an important way to understand how kids learn, and how we can help them learn more effectively.

Playing to Learn, a national initiative developed by the YMCA of Greater Toronto, is an integral part of child care programs at the Saint John Y. It lets our experienced Early Childhood Educators help your children develop and grow. By using play as a way to teach, our educators gain insight into how your kids learn. They then use that insight to build a dynamic in-class environment.

Our curriculum takes all areas of your child’s development into account, including their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social behaviour. We then adapt the curriculum to meet the specific needs of your child. That way, your child’s interests help shape their learning experience.

But that’s only half the story. The teachers themselves benefit from a unique training program that lets them access the latest educational tools and processes. YMCA Playing to Learn gives our Early Childhood Educators a framework to regularly improve their own professional knowledge. This framework includes formal training and on-site mentoring for all staff that work with children. The YMCA’s commitment to its educators ensures our teachers can always deliver on their own commitments to your children.

YMCA Playing to Learn is already recognized as a leading approach to instilling a strong educational ethic in kids. The curriculum is used by other YMCAs across the country and is regularly cited for its unique and innovative involvement of educators and children in an enriched learning environment.

For more information, please click here for a Playing to Learn brochure.