WE STRIVE TO SEE THE WORLD FROM A KIDS-EYE-VIEW
Bellwoods Playschool uses a child-centred, socially conscious pedagogy to engage young children in social and artistic thought and action. Using what the city has to offer, we empower our students with the knowledge to be socially and environmentally responsible citizens while they develop into explorers of their urban landscape.

WE THINK OF THE CITY AS OUR CLASSROOM
A valuable aspect of the Bellwoods Playschool program is to empower children as navigators of their city. We journey on regular excursions, by foot and by public transportation, to art galleries, museums and cultural events, as well as markets, parks and city landmarks.

WE KNOW ITS TAKES A VILLAGE

Our Playschool runs on a model that links a range of artists together to engage and inspire children. We like to bring in different perspectives and actively pursue a diverse teaching staff. As such, professional educators and artists trade chalkboards for personal anecdotes and textbooks for real life experiences. Together, they create an atmosphere that is at once intellectually stimulating and deeply personalized.


Our Community

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Celebrations!


Our Arctic  & Inuit studies were put on hold for our Black History and Chinese New Year celebrations. We had a Dim Sum party at Bright Pearl, made dumplings and got to dance around in a real dragon costume. We were also taken into other worlds by Toronto storyteller, Bernice Hune.

We started learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and how he fought for equal rights between Black people and White people in America. We also started learning about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Diana Braithwaite's great-great grandmother escaped through the Underground Railroad and told us stories through her blues music (lucky us, there was an ENORMOUS snow pile just outside). We heard some GREAT stories and songs from Cameroon's Njacko Backo and learn about different Carribean and African percussion instruments from Trinidad's Muhtadi.

Lastly, guided by a guest teacher, the boys had an outdoor survival day. They pitched a tent in Trinity Bellwoods, made hot chocolate over a portable stove and ate homemade granola bars. 


The Boys singing with Njacko Backo



Njacko Backo from Bellwoods Playschool on Vimeo.


The Boys playing percussions with Muhtadi


Untitled from Bellwoods Playschool on Vimeo.

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