Welcome to Creative Minds!

New Reggio Emilia inspired program blends traditional and non-traditional ways of learning.

Creative Minds combines the emergent curriculum and creative approaches of Reggio Emilia schools of Italy with a strong educational component. Every child is naturally creative, curious, and loves to learn. It is our job as parents and teachers to present opportunities where children can be stimulated and challenged in a positive non-threatening environment, where each can explore his/her imagination and discover his/her own innate style of learning. We offer opportunities for creative learning and thinking outside the box, to set a strong foundation for a life time of curiosity and learning. Our graduating kindergarteners should normally expect to be at a 2nd grade level, in addition to having developed hands-on interest in Science, Music, Drama, Art, Organic Gardening, and Physical Education.

Reggio Emilia Approach: An Exemplary Model for ECE
Hailed as an exemplary model of early childhood education (Newsweek, 1991), the Reggio Emilia approach to education enables children to think outside the box, building on their interests, working in teams to discuss & innovate to solve problems, learning as a community. Unlike Direct Instruction methods that require a child to listen passively, Reggio empowers the Child to be an active learner & participant in the learning process. Children are considered & encouraged as able communicators & capable researchers, innovating & learning, thereby building essential self-motivational skills, forming an effective basis for a lifetime of learning. Unlike Montessori which is very individualistic, Reggio encourages children working in collaborative work groups solving problems as a team, learning from each other to advance cognitive development. Children are encouraged to dialogue, critique, compare, negotiate, hypothesize, & problem solve through group work. Within the Reggio Emilia approach multiple perspectives promote both a sense of group membership & the uniqueness of self. This helps the children learn how to build reciprocal relationships, much like in real life.

We feature:
A dedicated, caring and well educated staff that plans and implements a child centered curriculum:

- Focus on education, creativity, self-help and social competence skills. Project based approach.

- Small class sizes so your child gets the attention he or she needs to thrive. Observation windows.

- Developmentally appropriate curriculum

- Active learning which focuses on all senses

- A strong, highly successful phonetic reading, spelling, writing & penmanship program using the well regarded “Riggs Method”

- Proven “Math Their Way” curriculum; and Science

- Infant/Toddler uses RIE Philosophy/Methods

- Art, Music and Physical Education

- Puppets, theater, & dramatic play

- Large, secure outdoor open/covered play areas, huge sand & river bed loam areas

- Classes on organic gardening

- On site Music Specialist

- Monthly visits/talks by community icons like Fire Fighters, Police, Doctor, Librarian, Accountant, Engineers, etc to raise/create latent interests

- Optional transportation to/from neighborhood schools is available