Welcome!
I am honored you are considering Hummingbird playgroup for your child. I offer a rich program based on learning through arts, crafts and movement. My primary passion is guiding children towards how to live in healthy social relationships and community! At Hummingbird, we learn skills for life.
I prepare the children for higher/ intellectual learning by giving them the activities they need for the development of their fine and gross motor skills, brain development, vestibular development and proprioception.
This program is for families who are interested to discover how to introduce healthy rhythms, activities and outdoor time at home, as well as learn how to reduce reduce screen time, and ideally eliminate screen time at home!
Here at Hummingbird, we are outside rain, snow or shine in full weather gear every day for at least 2 hours, and we do a myriad of movements and activities to develop fine and gross motor skills - all of which enhance and progress healthy brain development and all in the name of fun!
Nutrition, rhythmical daily routine, reducing screen time, warmth and lots of movement are of crucial importance in early childhood and shape the myelination (cognitive development )
Here are some of the foundations of Hummingbird Haven:
Wonder:
Wonder is the first step on this journey of early childhood! Filling ourselves with wonder for the simplest things in nature, animals, and each other will develop an interest to learn for a lifetime! See it, smell it, hold it, and observe it is all and everything that is needed in early childhood! Too many concepts cloud the ability in all of us for objective perceptions, let alone young children. Often we think we need to tell children the name of something to ‘teach’ them. The most important thing we can teach our children at this age is how to see, look, and observe nature and the world around them.
Reducing Screen Time and Media:
Some of the effects of screen time (even a “little bit” - 2 hours a day ) are:
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Delayed speech and ‘milestone’ development
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Aggressive behavior, outbursts, dis-regulation
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Short attention span, going from one activity to the other, inability to settle in to play
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Lethargic, apathetic, disengaged or unreasonably defiant
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Later in life can develop ‘addictive’ personality
The young Childs brain is still developing and they need movement and specialized / therapeutic activities to aid neurodevelopment. Myelination helps provide the foundation for brain connectivity and encourages cognitive and behavioral functioning. Of course, this translates to a well adapted and emotionally regulated child.
Rhythm is a huge part of a healthy and harmonious life at home and school. Having nap times and bedtimes at the same time every day, and after the same activity for example, allows the child to settle in to a routine and thereby will help make nap time and bedtimes more harmonious. A bedtime routine with bath, followed by a story, quiet candle with prayers or gratitudes allows your child to transition easily from a busy day, to a night of sleep. Early bedtime is imperative to a happy productive day at school.
There are many ways to employ rhythm, these are just a few examples. If you are inspired, from what we learn together, you may find you want to add activities (or in some cases take away) to the rhythm you have created at home. Rhythm is so important to establish at home to develop confidence and security in young children.
Loving Authority is a value here that we want our families here to be aligned with. Children under the age of 7 need a loving and warm authority to guide and direct them.
When children are little, and are being asked too many questions about what they want, or what they want to do, when they want to do it, they are given too much ‘authority’ over the smallest to the largest decisions (from what to eat for breakfast, what school they want to attend, to where they sleep, etc) children can become confused, clingy, anxious and in some cases disrespectful. Because they are being asked so many questions by their adult role model, it can lead children to question that adults authority, rather than rest in a solid confidence and trust.
Many well intended parents end up confusing their child. “Why is Mommy asking me, doesn’t she know whats best?” If you are noticing a lack of respect, unmanageable behavior, separation anxiety or in general an anxious or nervous child, you may want to try exercising clear statements (“let’s play", “time to put your coat on”, “follow me”) and offer healthy clear boundaries with firm parameters. Your child will thank you for it! Firm boundaries hold them in a loving embrace.
Healthy Diet
Protein and fat are an important part of children’s diet. Please, no candy or heavily sugared treats or chocolate in their lunches! I ask that the children have a source of protein and fat in their breakfast to prepare them for their rigorous outside play time in the morning.
