[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”927.1px” custom_margin=”-30px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_font=”Montserrat|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#164180″ header_5_font_size=”18px” header_5_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
We arrived hand in hand at a magical classroom where Valentina\u2019s curious eyes shone even brighter: a cozy corner full of cushions and books, sensory tables, playdough, educational toys, a space with her photo displayed proudly, and the genuine smiles of Miss Brenda and Miss Mariana.<\/p>\n
I chose Harmony to give continuity to the independence and inquiry we had nurtured in Valentina at home, and because they offer an induction program that would give me great peace of mind\u2014one where I could accompany her in the classroom during the first days of school.<\/p>\n
There we were, she and I, on the first day: me, nervous; her, happily singing in a circle with her new friends and listening attentively to her first story in English. I managed to explain where her things would be and properly introduce her to her teachers, who would be there for her if she needed anything. Everything was adapted to her size, which helped her feel more comfortable. When I told her I was going to leave and would come back for her later, she smiled, said yes, and kept playing. I left feeling calm, certain that she was in a safe, harmonious place\u2014far more stimulating than my suddenly chaotic work-from-home, workaholic environment.<\/p>\n
Today, Valentina is in Kinder 2, and Harmony is her second home. Everyone calls her by her name, we are fully integrated into the community, and that resonates deeply in her sense of security.<\/p>\n
We have lived her school experience alongside her. In addition to the bedtime story we read every night, each week we read together the book she chooses from the library. We\u2019ve already gone through more than 100 titles.<\/p>\n
Beyond learning fine motor skills, language, music, dance, and counting almost to 50, Valentina has developed an awareness of caring for the planet. When we go to the mountains, we collect trash and take it to recycling, and sometimes I catch her in the park picking up cans and bottles. Valentina has also learned that the heart grows bigger when we help others\u2014this winter we donated diapers to families at the Maternal and Children\u2019s Hospital. Understanding her emotions is still a work in progress, but when she feels very angry, she grabs her calm jar\u2014made in the classroom\u2014and we breathe together until we feel at peace.<\/p>\n
We know that a nurturing environment promotes our students\u2019 progress, just as the relationship with their teachers does\u2014teachers who invite interaction and create an atmosphere where students feel safe and respected.<\/p>\n
Musical instruments, sounds, rhythms, tones, easels, paints, brushes, rollers, cubes, ramps, and tunnels inspire learning in our specialized classrooms for music and art, French, and creative movement. Therefore, thinking about design, lighting, ventilation, and appropriate temperature is thinking smart when it comes to early childhood. It\u2019s like the secret ingredient for their academic future!<\/p>\n
\n
\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” text_font_size=”18px” custom_margin=”-18px||24px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Kowanin Silva<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We cooked, danced, and sang together, and we always ended the day by reading a story. I knew that when I took her to school, the first one to cry would be me\u2014but it wasn\u2019t that way\u2026 We arrived hand in hand at a magical classroom where Valentina\u2019s curious eyes shone even brighter: a cozy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":244704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-244705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-early-years"],"yoast_head":"\n