Little Prints Day Home

08/20/2026

Today was calm. There was connection, creativity, and so much pride in what they created.

One group picked apples and planned something special to cook tomorrow. Others built imaginative creations, explored dramatic play, or followed their own ideas.

Every day is different—different interests, different energy, and different needs. We have the freedom to follow each child’s rhythm and allow learning to unfold naturally.

It was a beautiful, calm day at Little Prints

08/20/2026

❤️

This ❤️

08/10/2026

🍎 Our apples are almost ready!

The children came back today after a week apart. They were so happy to see one another—and surprisingly excited to discover that their “magic apples” are almost ready to eat!

I didn’t want to plan anything before giving them time to reconnect. And just like that, apples became our shared interest.

During lunch, we talked about the life cycle of an apple: how apples grow and everything we can make with them—desserts, juice, muffins, salads, and more.

Then I asked, “How many apples do you think our tree has?”

Some children guessed four or five, while the older children said one hundred—or even thousands! And there we were, naturally exploring mathematical concepts such as counting, quantities, estimation, and large numbers through a meaningful conversation.

The children also suggested growing more apple trees, so this week we might plant some apple seeds and observe the process.

They said they want to play farm—so there we go!

Do I decorate and prepare the setup alone? Never! I bring the decorations and materials, but the children are part of the entire process. We plan, create, decorate, and set everything up together—with them as the protagonists of their own learning.

They imagine.
They ask questions.
They estimate and count.
They make decisions.
They create and build.
They plan together.

Learning doesn’t simply happen for them. It happens with them—with the children at the centre and their ideas in action.

This is what child-led learning looks like.

08/01/2026

07/31/2026

I am officially on vacation… finally! ❤️

I truly love what I do. I can’t imagine another career. But this year reminded me that to keep giving children my best, I also need to rest more often.

Today, we ended our day with one of the most beautiful imaginative, creative, dramatic play experiences. The children came up with the entire idea themselves.

Why?

Because children are born with incredible potential.

They don’t need us to constantly entertain them or tell them what to do. They need freedom. They need calm. They need time. They need an environment where their ideas matter.

At Little Prints Dayhome, my role isn’t to direct their play. If they invite me into their world, I happily follow their lead. I help them respect one another, solve conflicts, and manage big emotions—but I don’t create the game for them.

That’s where the magic happens.

Watching children create, negotiate, imagine, laugh, and lead reminds me why I chose this profession over ten years ago.

Every child deserves a childhood where curiosity is protected, imagination is celebrated, and joy is never rushed.

A childhood that is free to unfold.

I am leaving for vacation physically tired, but with a heart completely full after moments like this.

Thank you to all the wonderful families who trust me with your little ones. ❤️

See you on August 10!

With love,

Mariela
Little Prints Dayhome

07/31/2026

To a child, it’s magic.

To an educator, it’s one of the richest forms of learning.

When children gather flowers, herbs, leaves, water, soil, and other natural treasures to create “potions,” they are developing so much more than imagination.

- Language – They describe, explain, ask questions, tell stories, and expand their vocabulary through meaningful conversations.

- Sensory development – Rich textures, natural scents, temperatures, and colors provide valuable sensory experiences that support brain development.

- Creativity and flexible thinking – There is no single “right” way to make a potion. Children experiment, make predictions, test ideas, and solve problems through play.

- Social-emotional development – They negotiate, cooperate, share materials, and build friendships while creating together.

- Connection with nature – Flowers, leaves, seeds, herbs, and pinecones become invitations to observe, wonder, and develop respect for the natural world.

Research shows that open-ended, imaginative play supports language development, executive functioning, creativity, emotional regulation, and problem-solving—the very foundations of lifelong learning.

Sometimes the most meaningful learning doesn’t happen at a desk.

Sometimes it happens around a bowl of muddy flower potions, surrounded by laughter, friendship, curiosity, and wonder.

I believe childhood should be filled with nature, imagination, meaningful relationships, and the freedom to learn through play.

07/24/2026

North Edmonton Dayhome
Our lovely Day Home will have few openings coming up.
Send me a message for more info ❤️

07/22/2026

This is what childhood looks like at Little Prints Dayhome.

People often ask me what our days look like.

The truth is… they rarely look the same.

Today, one child decided to build a house. Another imagined a backpack and spent the morning bringing it to life. One explored colours and painted freely, while others chose to recreate the caterpillars we’ve been carefully observing in our backyard.

Not because I told them to.

Because they were curious.

Because they had ideas.

Because children are naturally creative when we give them the freedom to explore.

As I looked around the room today, I saw children making decisions, solving problems, sharing materials, asking each other for help, and proudly explaining their creations. Every project was different, yet every child was deeply engaged.

This isn’t a special activity.

This is what happens every day.

I don’t believe children need adults to tell them what their artwork should look like or what they should create.

I believe they need adults who believe in them.

My role isn’t to direct every moment. It is to prepare an inviting environment, provide open-ended materials, observe, encourage, ask meaningful questions, and trust the process.

When we step back, children step forward.

They become confident.
They become independent.
They become creative thinkers.
They learn to collaborate, persevere, and believe that their ideas have value.

Every cardboard box becomes an opportunity.
Every paintbrush becomes a voice.
Every child reminds me just how capable they truly are.

And honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Children don’t need perfect crafts. They need opportunities to create, imagine, and discover who they are.

03/18/2026

⸻

Inclusion starts here — in the early years 💛

Emma can walk and run, but some days her body gets very tired.
Her energy changes, and she needs extra support to stay safe and to recharge.

Today, we welcomed her wheelchair into our dayhome.

With Emma’s permission, we introduced her “cool chair” to the group—
slowly, calmly, and with care.

As a responsible adult, I guided the moment.
I invited the children to help move the furniture and create space.
I explained that everyone might feel curious and want a turn.
And I supported Emma in understanding and preparing for that too.

We made it feel calm.
We made it feel normal.

And from there… something beautiful unfolded.

Emma felt confident.
She proudly showed her friends how her chair works—
how to move around with it,
how to hold the handles,
how the armrests support her,
and even how to sit safely in the back.

She wasn’t just included…
she was leading.

Her friends followed with curiosity and care.
They stayed close, asked questions, and naturally stepped in to help.

When everyone wanted a turn,
they worked together—moving furniture, creating space, supporting each other.

And Emma practiced something big too—
understanding her friends’ curiosity and sharing the experience in her own way.

There was patience.
There was cooperation.
There was joy.

In the outside world, many children—and even adults—don’t always know how to respond when they see a wheelchair.
Sometimes they step back, simply because they don’t understand.

But here, we are changing that.

The children are learning that a wheelchair is just a tool—
something helpful, something normal,
something that helps their friend play, move, and be part of everything.

Because inclusion doesn’t need to be forced when it is lived early.

And as Early Childhood Educators, we are in a powerful position—
we help shape how children see the world,
how they understand differences,
and how they include others.

What starts here doesn’t stay here.

Children bring it home.
Into their families.
Into their communities.

And little by little…
we build a more open, compassionate world.

Thank you, Emma, for trusting us and allowing this opportunity for learning.
And thank you to all the children for respecting turns, safety, and each other.

Today also reminded me that inclusion is a process.

One of Emma’s closest friends felt a bit unsure at first.
He had never seen equipment like this before.

And that matters.

Because at four years old, we are still in time.
Time to show that this is normal.
That this is just a tool.
That his friend is still his friend.

Moments like this are not only supporting Emma—
they are shaping every child to grow into someone who understands, accepts, and includes.