OUR APPROACH
Lafayette Kids' Cottage provides a nurturing, safe, healthy, and fun learning environment for children from 2.9 years to 10 years of age with programs that meet their individual needs during each stage of development. We recognize that all children are unique. LKC offers both standard and creative approaches to learning, play, and development. This program variety assists children in realizing their full potential, and helps them establish a foundation for a lifetime of successful learning.
Preschool Program (2.9-5 years)
Our Preschool Program provides intellectually stimulating activities that focus on gross motor and fine motor skills that are not only fun, but academically rich. This “purposeful” play teaches children the basics, without them realizing they are being taught.
We use many aspects of the "Tools of the Mind" curriculum at the Lafayette Kids Cottage Preschool. The children "learn how to learn" by focusing on spoken language, written language, concentration, executive function, and self-regulation through planning their day and playing with others in a prepared and intellectually stimulating environment.
For example, children begin their day by writing their names and drawing a simple "Plan for the Day" at a table with other students (this is often one of their favorite things to do). By thinking about, discussing, and drawing what they want to do that day, children rapidly develop the ability to write, draw, focus, plan, communicate, and read. These abilities are increased by remembering that children learn best when they are doing what they love, lead, and construct themselves. Within a few months, many 3 and most 4 year olds are writing their names, reading basic words, and playing well with children of all ages (and entertaining themselves at home for hours!). A major advantage of this approach is that creativity, behavior, natural curiosity, communication, confidence, and motivation are positively impacted. Motivated brains work more effectively. Motivated children learn more. There are many similarities to Piaget and Montessori, but Vygotsky's "Tools of the Mind" gives a higher priority to spoken and written language, and stresses that instructors actively support (or "scaffold") the learning process within each child's dynamic zone of development, from assisted performance through independent performance.
After-School Program (5-10 years)
Our After-School program is designed to give kids a safe and nurturing place to come to after school gets out where they can hang out with friends, get homework help, and enjoy extracurricular activities such as dance, theater, music, gardening, etc.
Preschool Program (2.9-5 years)
Our Preschool Program provides intellectually stimulating activities that focus on gross motor and fine motor skills that are not only fun, but academically rich. This “purposeful” play teaches children the basics, without them realizing they are being taught.
We use many aspects of the "Tools of the Mind" curriculum at the Lafayette Kids Cottage Preschool. The children "learn how to learn" by focusing on spoken language, written language, concentration, executive function, and self-regulation through planning their day and playing with others in a prepared and intellectually stimulating environment.
For example, children begin their day by writing their names and drawing a simple "Plan for the Day" at a table with other students (this is often one of their favorite things to do). By thinking about, discussing, and drawing what they want to do that day, children rapidly develop the ability to write, draw, focus, plan, communicate, and read. These abilities are increased by remembering that children learn best when they are doing what they love, lead, and construct themselves. Within a few months, many 3 and most 4 year olds are writing their names, reading basic words, and playing well with children of all ages (and entertaining themselves at home for hours!). A major advantage of this approach is that creativity, behavior, natural curiosity, communication, confidence, and motivation are positively impacted. Motivated brains work more effectively. Motivated children learn more. There are many similarities to Piaget and Montessori, but Vygotsky's "Tools of the Mind" gives a higher priority to spoken and written language, and stresses that instructors actively support (or "scaffold") the learning process within each child's dynamic zone of development, from assisted performance through independent performance.
After-School Program (5-10 years)
Our After-School program is designed to give kids a safe and nurturing place to come to after school gets out where they can hang out with friends, get homework help, and enjoy extracurricular activities such as dance, theater, music, gardening, etc.
