Our Promise to Play

 “If the child is not learning the way you are teaching, then you must teach in the way the child learns.” – Rita Dunn

 No two Reggio-inspired schools should look the same, as the needs and interests of the children within each school will be different. In our learning center, this is what high quality care is about: getting to know children, looking for their interests, and building on their interests to challenge their thinking. Children in our childcare center receive benefits that last long after they go home at the end of the day.

    Take a moment to think back to when you were a child. What do you remember about playing? Do you remember the types of toys or materials you used to imagine and create? Do you think children today play differently than when you were growing up? At Hopwood Child Care, we take the time to inspire creativity by constantly changing our resources. We make sure to provide interesting play materials. Children need choices of what they would like to play with and they need enough materials so all the children can play. The toys and materials at our center are sensory related, focused on nature, and spark creativity. We encourage imagination by using recyclable items instead of adding all the elements from plastic play toys. The value of play for children is incredibly essential. We provide organized large spaces and time to play. Children need plenty of space to play and plenty of time. The push for academic excellence makes it difficult for many parents to understand why children need to play. According to Fred Rogers, "Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning."