Introduction to Early Childhood Education

At Maple Bear, we believe every child deserves the best possible start in life. Early childhood, especially the years from birth to six, is a time of rapid development, with experiences during this period laying the groundwork for a child’s future learning and development.

Our curriculum is designed to support each child in reaching their full potential by providing a foundation for successful progress through school and life. We set high standards to ensure each child is fully prepared for elementary school.

Importance of Early Childhood Education

The period from birth to age five is critical for brain development, with significant growth and the acquisition of foundational skills. During the first 1000 days, the child’s sensory and emotional systems develop, while the next 1000 days support advanced cognitive and social skills, like decision-making and planning. Early childhood is also the time for acquiring essential cultural tools, including language and numeracy.

The Role of Play in Learning

Play is an essential part of Maple Bear’s early childhood curriculum, as it promotes language, thinking, and emotional development. Especially during the early years, play supports brain development and nurtures a sense of wonder and creativity. At Maple Bear, we create an environment rich in play-based activities to maximize each child’s developmental potential.

The Maple Bear Approach

Our curriculum is modeled on the highly successful Canadian early childhood education system and is based on a child-centered approach that emphasizes the comprehensive development of each child: physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Maple Bear promotes an immersive, billingaul learning environment and is rooted in the Canadian Language Immersion model, integrating primary and secondary languages as needed. In our inclusive and supportive environment, children feel safe to explore and learn through positive self-expression and risk-taking, fostering independence and a strong self-image.

Our Guiding Principles

There are three fundamental aspects of the Maple Bear approach to Early Childhood Education, and they are:

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3 Core Components of the Maple Bear Program

1. English Language Arts

At Maple Bear, Language Arts is foundational to our curriculum, developing skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and representing. Children are encouraged to listen attentively, speak fluently, and develop a love for reading, which is essential for lifelong learning. Writing is fostered through a gradual process, from scribbling to constructing sentences. Additionally, students are taught to critically engage with visual media, enhancing their ability to communicate through both words and images. This well-rounded approach builds confidence and prepares children for future academic success.

By the end of Senior Kindergarten children will be able to communicate effectively in English by listening and speaking, will have a good understanding of alphabetical symbols, will be able to read basic text in English, will be able to use phonic strategies to approach new words, will be capable of using writing strategies appropriate for beginners, and finally, will be able to use and respond to media

2. Mathematics

In Mathematics, the Maple Bear program provides children with many opportunities to develop and strengthen their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, and calculating simple addition and subtraction problems. Children will explore and learn about shape, space, measurement, patterning, and data management.

Our preschool math program builds foundational skills through play-based learning. Children explore counting, simple addition and subtraction, patterns, shapes, and basic graphing while developing problem-solving abilities and mathematical language. This approach fosters curiosity and prepares young learners for future success.

3. Science and Technology

The Maple Bear Science program has been designed to take into consideration the developmental stages of preschool children. At this young age children require many experiences that are essential for enquiry-based learning.

Our preschool science program sparks curiosity through hands-on exploration of nature, materials, and patterns in the environment. Children observe life cycles, experiment with technology collaboratively, and discover how everyday objects are designed for human use. This fosters a deep understanding of the world around them.

4. Social Studies

In Social Studies, children will be guided to make sense of the world around them and their community through opportunities to explore, observe, and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Children will develop a sense of identity, family traditions, and cultural awareness, fostering sensitivity to differences and similarities within families, communities, and nature.

Social Emotional Development

During early childhood, social and emotional development is essential for building traits such as sharing, empathy, respect, and responsibility. Loving, positive relationships with adults help children feel valued, safe, and secure, encouraging them to explore and communicate freely. In this supportive environment, children develop cognitively, socially, and physically. Peer interaction also becomes important, as children often express a desire to engage with others by sharing objects. Maple Bear teachers actively model positive social behaviors, helping children learn through every interaction.

Language Development

Encouraging language development in young children involves providing rich and varied experiences to help them understand and express themselves. This includes reading picture books, telling stories, showing pictures, and letting them handle books to foster early interest in reading. At Maple Bear, language learning happens naturally as children hear and use language in context, without correction, but with positive modeling. Developing a love for books and talking about the world around them helps children gain pre-reading skills and nurtures a lifelong appreciation for reading.

Fine Motor Development

Fine motor development is the gradual coordination of small muscles in the hands and fingers. Rather than directly teaching these skills, Maple Bear educators focus on creating engaging, hands-on experiences that allow children to practice these movements naturally. By interacting with a range of objects throughout the day in fun, exploratory ways, children develop these skills at their own pace and build dexterity through enjoyable, self-directed activities.

Gross Motor Development

Gross motor development involves strengthening the body’s large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso. Children naturally progress through these skills – walking, running, and balancing – at their own pace. At Maple Bear, they are encouraged to explore movement in a safe, engaging, and well-supervised environment. Activities include running, jumping, climbing, crawling, pushing, pulling, dancing, balancing, and stretching, offering a variety of experiences that support natural growth and build confidence

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development in early childhood builds foundational thinking skills that help children understand how the world works. Early learners act as "little scientists," exploring, experimenting, and beginning to grasp cause-and-effect relationships. At Maple Bear, teachers encourage cognitive growth through sensory exploration, problem-solving, and interactive activities. Children engage their senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) to discover their environment, learn about object permanence, and explore size, shape, and spatial relationships through games and puzzles. They also practice simple math concepts like counting, more and less, and use early math symbols. Everyday routines introduce time concepts like "soon" and "later," supporting a holistic foundation for abstract thinking.

Arts and Creativity Development

Early learners at Maple Bear engage in diverse art activities, such as painting, clay modeling, weaving, drawing, and using materials like crayons, markers, and glue sticks to explore creativity. Art activities foster fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and self-expression, helping children feel valued and appreciated for their creations. By experimenting with various materials and techniques, they build confidence, discover their artistic preferences, and learn about art forms and artists through books and media. This hands-on approach nurtures both artistic appreciation and fine motor control.

Dramatic Play Development

Dramatic play is essential for Early Years development, as it helps children understand their world and supports cognitive growth. Through pretend play, children gain:

These interactions help children process experiences and develop key skills in a natural, engaging way.

Music and Movement Development

Children naturally enjoy music and singing, and these activities are key to language development. At Maple Bear, we support this by incorporating songs that are fun, interactive, and include movement. Music helps children internalize the sounds, rhythm, and intonation of English in an enjoyable way, enhancing their language skills. Additionally, music offers a wonderful introduction to cultural learning, as children experience the traditions, stories, and values reflected in songs.

Why Choose Maple Bear Preschool Program for your child?

With Maple Bear, your child will gain the skills needed to thrive in school and beyond, ensuring a bright future full of opportunities.

Our child-centered approach, inspired by the highly successful Canadian educational model, emphasizes not only academic growth but also emotional, social, and physical development. At Maple Bear, children engage in hands-on learning through play, language development, creative expression, and problem-solving, all within a supportive environment that encourages exploration and curiosity. Our experienced teachers foster a love for reading, build strong communication skills, and guide children in developing confidence, respect, and a positive self-image.

At Maple Bear, we are committed to providing a nurturing, enriching, and safe learning environment where children are supported in every aspect of their development. Through our integrated curriculum, children build a strong foundation for future learning and personal growth.

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