West Virginia Early Learning Academy

08/14/2026

Way to go DK!
If you need quality aftercare, give me them a call 304-345-KIDS

07/02/2026

06/10/2026

05/04/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing families for overflowing our teachers and staff with incredible gifts and delicious food every day. This week has been unforgettable, and we feel truly appreciated!

🍎Teacher Appreciation Week 2026! 🍎

05/04/2026

Summer Program
Call 304-558-KIDS

04/10/2026

If you are a parent or a childcare teacher, THIS REEL IS FANTASTIC TO WATCH!There is a lot to learn from it! While we adults often enjoy crafts, they are not developmentally appropriate until kindergarten. It's important to do your research before assuming that crafts are great activities for early childhood!
Let’s look at the difference between process art and product art. Process art emphasizes the creative journey, exploration, and experimentation. In contrast, product-based art focuses on achieving a specific, predetermined final result. Process art is open-ended, allowing for various interpretations, which fosters creativity and skill development. On the other hand, product art is usually guided by instructions to create a uniform, often "perfect" finished piece. For example, when a child glues eyes or a nose onto an animal (even when the child determines the placement), this is still considered teacher-directed product art.
Thoughts:
-Process Over Product: The focus is on the child's experience, sensory exploration, and creative journey, rather than producing a perfect, identical finished product for display.
-Encourages Individual Creativity: Structured crafts often result in "cookie-cutter" projects where every child's work looks the same. -Open-ended art allows children to make their own choices, solve problems, and express their individuality.
-Reduces Frustration and Shame: When crafts are too difficult, adult-led, or have a "right way" to do them, children may feel that their best effort isn't good enough, leading to frustration or feelings of failure.
-Promotes True Development: While people think crafts teach fine motor skills, process art actually provides better, sustained practice in strengthening hands and creativity without the pressure of a specific outcome.
-Time and Resource Management: Traditional crafts require significant prep time (cutting, organizing) and cleanup, which can often outweigh the actual learning value of the activity.
-Reduces "Teacher-Driven" Work: Children often know when an adult has done the "hard part" of a craft, which can lessen their pride in the final product.

04/07/2026

Join us for an exciting summer adventure! Our summer program is packed with fun and learning. Don’t miss out—call us today to secure your spot! Dial 304-558-KIDS (5437) and let the summer fun begin!