Educational programs
Jouer C’est Magique is an educational program created by the Ministère de la Famille in which children learn through play. This program is based on the principle that every child is unique: a child’s development is a global and integrated process. Children learn by doing, by manipulating materials in their environment, by exploring and experimenting, and by listening, observing and expressing themselves.
The Jouer C’est Magique program includes five learning elements: direct action, reflection, language, motivation and problem-solving. With a clear schedule and an organized physical environment, the educator guides the children in planning and selecting the activities in which they will participate each day. Children thrive on structure, because it creates a safe environment where they know what to expect.
Daycare classrooms are divided into play areas. Each location favors a particular activity. There are eight types of workshop in the Jouer C’est Magique program:
- Mani-mains (manipulation)
- L’as tu lu, l’as tu vu? (books)
- Mi-fa-soleil (music and movement)
- Méli-Mélo (solitary play)
- Chic Choc (science & sand and/or water table)
- Bric a Bloc (block play)
- Qui suis-je? (dramatic play and make-believe)
- Coco Brico (arts and crafts)
This structure creates a safe and nurturing environment where children can feel confident and secure to learn and acquire a variety of skills. At the end of the day, the day’s activities and notes are listed in the child’s agenda for the parent to read. This allows open communication between parents and the daycare center to ensure that children receive the best care and education.
What’s more, as a complement to the Jouer C’est Magique program, Groupe Merveilles daycare centers also integrate a pre-school educational program for our older children preparing for kindergarten. Every day, they are gradually exposed to concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, alphabets, seasons, months and weekdays. They also slowly learn to print their names and other short words. This is done in both English and French.
At the end of the day, the day’s activities and notes are listed in the child’s agenda for the parent to read. This allows open communication between parents and the daycare center to ensure that children receive the best care and education.