As parents, we aim to nurture our children in a well-rounded, holistic manner. We dedicate considerable time to investigating high-quality preschool programs, to provide our children with the most advantageous opportunities. You can get lost in a sea of questions, top of mind, how to choose the right preschool? It is crucial to be mindful during this exploration, as it is easy to become fixated on specific educational approaches or ideologies that may require our children to conform to a particular philosophy, potentially overlooking their unique interests, needs, and abilities. Early education in Calgary certainly has options, but how do you choose the best option for your child?

The LRM Approach (left brain, right brain, movement) offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to child development. By exposing children to a variety of learning experiences, teaching methods, and opportunities for executive function development, children are set up for success in all areas of their lives. The combination of left brain, right brain, and movement curriculum provides a well-rounded early education that caters to the diverse needs and strengths of each child.  Every student is unique in the way they learn and respond to different experiences, so why not expose them to as many rich experiences as we can during their formative years? The LRM approach develops fluid intelligence in young learners, focussing on how to learn, not what to learn.

The Left Brain curriculum builds logic, reasoning, analytical skills and critical thinking. There are opportunities for sequencing, working on practical life skills, to discover order and the natural progression of things. With unique hands-on materials, concrete concepts are being molded. Science, geography, math and literacy are all developed in the left brain. Children build independence and have choice in the work they do. They become self-motivated in this learning environment. Students practice valuable life skills such as cleaning up after themselves, respecting materials, preparing food, washing dishes, fastening and manipulating (and even folding) clothing. Grace and courtesy is a big part of the left brain curriculum, guiding children to learn respect, kindness and responsibility.

In this activity, the child is transferring acorns from one bowl to another. This activity can be done with almost any small object. The concept of transferring from left to right supports early literacy development, as children will also learn to read from left to right.

Many early learning and childcare programs and preschools in Calgary adopt the Right Brain philosophy. The learning environment is considered the third teacher and constantly changes to reflect the students’ interests. In the Right Brain, students build creativity through self-expression. There are opportunities to build, to transform, to create and continuously change. The inspiration for the topics that are explored comes directly from the children. Early learners, like any of us, are more inclined to participate if they are interested in the ideas being explored. Educators guide students with open-ended questions to help them discover what they want to learn, and co-learn alongside their students as they test theories and research ideas.  The children are encouraged to plan, work, explore and learn together through projects and other collaborative experiences. Early literacy and numeracy are incorporated into the program, inspired by the interests of the students. They discover these concepts in ways that are meaningful to them.

 Here you see a child writing on an envelope. Students have been learning about the postal system, creating and delivering mail! The children felt motivated to write when they learned what is written on envelopes before they go into the mailbox. The interest came from a walk in the community when the mailbox was spotted. “What is this for?” is the basis for inquiry and discovery!

The Movement philosophy is the glue that holds the LRM Approach together. Brain development is most optimal when children are moving their bodies. Movement stimulates the brain and builds stronger and more plentiful neural pathways so that the child can develop both sides of the brain. This program encompasses much more than simply moving the body. Children develop their bodies and their brains by learning to match their energy to what the activity calls for. Self-regulation is developed through mindfulness and peace time. Children learn the value of doing a warm up to prepare their body and a cool down to teach their body the value of rest. In movement, children learn about self-care, health and hygiene, nutrition and taking safe risks. 

Throwing, kicking, rolling and bouncing a ball activate different pathways in the brain and use different muscles and systems in the body. Children also develop flexible thinking when they use a material in more than one way! There are so many creative ideas to encourage movement that you can do using objects that you already have at home. Walk on a line using painter’s tape on the carpet for an easy visual and an even easier cleanup! Lay on your back and place a toy on your tummy- practice deep breaths and watch the toy go up and down. Teaching children to regulate their bodies to suit the activity (high energy and low energy) builds their impulse control and emotional regulation.

Could you choose just 1 of these curriculums to best fit your child? Or after reading about each one, do you want it all? By being exposed to all of these curriculums, children will find their niche. Some children are very expressive and thrive in a Right Brain environment that offers dramatic play, but need the logic of the left brain to understand the role of money in their play restaurant. Others may be most comfortable in the structure of the left brain environment but need a creative outlet. For my child, she needed movement to help her focus in the other environments. Once she felt physically regulated, she could tackle any task and even challenge herself to initiate and complete tasks independently.

The benefits of the LRM approach are not just regarding curriculum exposure. By transitioning between multiple environments, children are shown that in life, things change. Fluid intelligence. By transitioning students to different environments and activities, we are wiring their brains to be flexible. Later in life when something unexpected comes along, their brain will be equipped with the tools they need to embrace change, to adapt and make peace with what they may not always have control over. They are exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. Students are presented material in different ways in the hopes that they will make a connection. 

The LRM approach works best when parents get involved! Educators and parents work together to give each child the most meaningful learning experiences possible. The concepts that are taught in the program are retained when they are reinforced at home. This is another point to consider on your hunt for the best preschool in Calgary. Find a program that you can learn from too!

Parents & teachers are partners in raising the next generation of citizens.

– Trisha Skinner, Fueling Brains Instructional Coach