While the new year has just begun, for some parents, it is time to start thinking about selecting a school for their child’s learning journey.
St. Anthony’s School has opened registration, and Christ the Redeemer’s Kindergarten programs are open to all students, both Catholic and non-Catholic, and focus on active learning, skill development, and relationships.
The St. Anthony’s kindergarten program offers outdoor experiences through play-based learning, a focus on fine motor skills and connections, fosters kindness and compassion through face-to-face relations, and guarantees Grade 1 placement, and beyond.
Kindergarten teacher Robert Rowland has 11 years of experience teaching kindergarten and believes in the St. Anthony’s program.
“We have a really good play-based program, we aren’t all about paper and pencils and table work, we are out playing and learning the way kids naturally do,” he said. “With a lot of our activities we are incorporating our letter sounds and math all through play.”
He says many kindergarten programs say they are play-based, however, he says he tries to infuse play into everything they do. This helps the child engage in active learning.
“Obviously there’s a focus on academics, and there is a curriculum, but we treat kids holistically. We focus on every aspect of the child; the emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual,” he said. “We are not just here to put knowledge in their head, we want them to grow as individuals in their own way that works for them.”
Rowland explains COVID has put a strain on students, and throughout the elementary program, they brainstormed on ways to support mental health and make the students more comfortable. Simple changes like lighting and sound machines have made a difference in the classrooms.
“I love the school has kind of done that, that each level has its own initiative to help the kids during this emotional time,” he said.
St. Anthony’s offers a two full days per week program, or a full time, 5 days a week program.
“With the full day, my students get to explore a broader range of enriching activities with other kinder classmates. As an early childhood educator, I am blown away at the developmental differences the full-day program has had with all my students. I feel full-day kindergarten is such a blessing and needs to be fully embraced for the welfare of our future leaders,” said Rowland.
To register, go to www.stanthonys.redeemer.ab.ca
