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Inoka J. - Program Director.

Lead Montessori/Reggio/Mixed Media Teacher

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Hello! I am Inoka Jayasinghe, the founder of Creative Minds Children’s House Wonderschool. I was inspired to start my own program as it has always been my dream to design my own space where children can blossom and grow. I obtained my initial AMI Montessori Education in Colombo, Sri Lanka. An AMI Teacher is instilled with significant understanding of the Child’s mind and is equipped with considerable knowledge to nurture and enrich their minds that are constantly curious and ready to grasp new events that unfold in their environment. I have 17 years of experience working with young children and helping them not only foster independent growth but also assist children to learn at their own pace though self-correcting lessons.

Prior to starting Creative Minds Children’s House, I started my career as a Montessori teacher at Shamrock Montessori Center in Kalamazoo, MI. There, I was mentored by the Montessori Director, Mrs. Yolanda Quinn, and have been trained in the Reggio-Emilia education model since August 2018. I was quite enthralled by Reggio Emilia approach; it incited me to wonder how we could collaborate these two educational models together.

Reggio Emilia approach fascinates me primarily as it practices one of the best ways of learning, taking the environment as a third teacher. I have always been a firm believer in practicing this life skill of living close to nature, a boundless place of wonders and marvelous creations that I have always looked to capture its enormous beauty in my paintings as a child growing up. Needless to say, I am still in awe of this infinite canvass as an adult.

Apart from my career as a Montessori teacher, I am a mixed Media Painter driven by an immense passion of nature that took its seeds as a child. I have strived to continue on this delightful journey through my adult life as well. Enabling me to take flight on this path and share the joy with the vivid little minds, I created the ‘Secrets of our Mind’ traveling art project in 2013 at Shamrock Montessori Center, MI where I taught for 15 years. Every year I design a project for children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5. I give them the freedom to choose the colors and guide them through the process. We had our first show in March at the Portage Public Library which opened to raving reviews of our budding painters that had come up with exuberant pieces of work that surpassed expectations. Their wonderful work was recognized each year through a reception and an awards ceremony.

Creating art allows children to work through feelings and emotions in a pragmatic and cognitive manner and referring to a finished piece of artwork helps one understand their feelings in an eloquent manner. Art develops a child’s creative ability further. Rather than being instructed what to do, a child is provided immense freedom to make decisions, a liberating experience for a little mind that paves the way to unleashing so much hidden potential. Art is an experience that requires free thinking, experimentation, and analysis which is all part of creativity. Art also helps children come to terms with themselves and to exert control over their efforts. Through art, they also practice sharing and taking turns, as well as appreciating one another’s efforts. Art fosters positive mental health by allowing a child to show individual uniqueness as well as success and accomplishment, all part of a positive self-concept.

Children’s art is many things to many people. To a parent, art is a display of their child’s imagination. To an educator, it is a teaching tool. To a psychologist, art is a way to understand a child’s mind. To a grandparent, it is a way to feel connected. To a librarian, it is a way to enhance knowledge of a book. To a child, art is a way to have fun, make decisions and express choices.

I am so blessed to work with children on a one-on-one basis and share this beautiful journey with them.

“Secrets of our minds” painting program will be a momentous highlight of my program at Creative Minds Children’s House.

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Nomal S.- Administrative Assistant / Preschool Teacher

Dainna M.- lead Montessori Teacher Trainee

Martha C. - Montessori Teacher Trainee

Meghana V. - Evening Day Care Teacher/Ballet/Creative Dance Teacher

Savini G. - Art Teacher

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Filozofi

At Creative Minds Children’s Home Wonderschool, we believe that children grow, learn, and thrive by exploring the world around them. It is our goal to provide an environment that helps prepare children to thrive in school and the broader world. In our program, children will feel supported as they engage with new ideas and learning. We welcome all multicultural children to the program as we strongly believe that accepting and respecting each other’s cultures allows us to grow more. Having an open mind on all cultures from different parts of the world under one roof gives us an opportunity to learn from each other better.

I hope the information provided will enable you to decide on a quality preschool education for your precious child. A well-organized preschool or Montessori should necessarily offer an accepted curriculum and a developmental program. Creative Minds Children’s house upholds the principles and philosophy of the AMI Montessori Method of Education. This program avails the child with plenty of opportunities to reveal who they are, what they’re capable of, and their strengths and weakness. Children will:

• Acquire independence
• Adapt to society and become a fully functional member of their community
• Grow and develop intellect, concentration and WILL
• Develop an orderly way of thinking
• Be creative, think outside of the box, be colorful

Kote

Creative Minds Children’s Home Wonderschool is located in a welcoming, beautiful single-family home in the Irvine neighborhood.

We’ve designed our care environment with play and learning areas that allow children to explore various developmentally appropriate activities based on their interests. Some of our favorite areas include an art area (for expressing emotions and ideas), block area (for gross motor skills and problem solving), and music and movement area (for physical activity and cultural learning).

Children will have some outdoor time every day in my private yard or outdoor space. Connecting with nature lets children gain deeper knowledge of themselves and the world.

At Creative Minds Children’s Home Wonderschool, I want to provide an environment that supports the cognitive, social, and emotional growth of each child.

Konsènan pwogram nou an

Montessori curriculum

Our curriculum is comprised of five subject areas: Exercises of Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math and Culture.

A child in the AMI Montessori Method of Education acquires “Total Development,” which is concerned about the Development of the “Total Child.” That is to help your child develop physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and psychologically.

Practical life

The term “Practical Life Exercises” refers to the simple daily performed activities (e.g. sweeping, mopping and carrying objects) which the adult carries out in the environment in order to maintain proper conditions.

The essential requirement is to have a carefully prepared environment which provides all these activities where the child can develop in a perfect and orderly manner.

These exercises of practical life are classified into four basic groups according to their external purpose.

Introductory exercises

These are the simplest activities taken from other major areas. These consist of very simple movements (e.g. carrying a chair, a tray or a jug, rolling and unrolling mats, picking up and putting down objects without making a noise).

Exercises of personal care (care of oneself)

These activities will help the child to be able to take care of personal needs like washing hands, combing, etc.

Exercises of care for the environment (care of environment)

These activities provide the child to be able to participate in the maintenance and restoration of the environment and therefore help more in his/her adaptation and orientation to it. These include activities such as sweeping, polishing, watering plants, etc.

Exercises of grace and courtesy (social behavior)

These are very important for an early adaptation to the society to which the child belongs as these help him/her to become aware of and learn the customs and courtesies of his/her group. These include exercises like how to greet people, how to ask for something (e.g. saying “please” and thank you”).

What would the child achieve while and after working with the activities provided in Exercises of practical life?

• The child would gain control in the coordination of his/her movements
• Acquire independence
• Adapt to society and become a fully functional member of his/her society
• Helps in growth and development of his/her intellect, concentration and WILL
• Helps the develop and orderly way of thinking

How can you help your child at home?

• Provide simple activities as early as 18 months (e.g. to hold a cup, to sit on a small chair, to keep a toy in the correct place, at around 2 ½ years to put his dirty clothes in the basket, to place his slippers and shoes in the correct place, to wash a plate and a cup, putting away toys, etc. These activities help in maintaining order, building confidence and thereby promoting self-esteem in a child while acquiring control of his movements and independence. The child also learns to abide by simple instructions.
• Advice to refrain from doing anything that a child can do for himself
• Knowing that your child can think and do things for himself in the absence of parents should be the  greatest satisfaction that a parent could have.

Secrets of our minds art program

https://www.facebook.com/preschoolmind/Video links to the Program.https://www.facebook.com/preschoolmind/videos/482681688759730/https://www.facebook.com/preschoolmind/videos/482666648761234/https://www.facebook.com/preschoolmind/videos/482676965426869/

Admisyon

Join the Creative Minds Children’s Home Wonderschool community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Tour our program

Come see what makes Creative Minds Children’s Home Wonderschool unique. Please schedule a tour or attend an Open House event.

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application at www.wonderschool.com/creative-minds-children-s-home-wonderschool-3279/apply – Please note that we require tours for all prospective families. Please do not submit an application if you have not visited the program.

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation you’ll pay your enrollment fee, fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.