Kaleidoscope Child-led School

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW6yeg3kUCl/?igsh=cXhsZW9udmRremJ0

Why choose Kaleidoscope?

Everything that happens here is led by children, the methods I use are not only TRULY developmentally appropriate, but also BEST PRACTICE.

The interests of the children comes FIRST.

I do not appease parents, I help you understand why this is best for your child RIGHT NOW.

EVERYTHING is centered around what children NEED ❤️

This moment was a golden opportunity to highlight a lot of best practices in a child-led program. 1) Waiting for an invitation (I didnt capture that part with my camera...but I quoted it for you) 2) Giving children THOUGHTFUL feedback instead of a careless, empty: "good job" 3) Utilizing teamwork instead of doing things for children. 4) Managing a moment where coaching is necessary.

Listen to the Children is my page as well

This is what reading books looks like in my multi-age, child-led school.

I don't call it "story time" because it's not a "time", it's not scheduled.

It is in-the-moment, at the request of a child.

A ritual has evolved and currently we read "song books" first: I Aint Gonna Paint No More", "What a Wonderful World", "Yellow Umbrella" then move on to "How Will We Get to the Beach?". Then we get out our "ice cream lotion" (just some almond-scented lotion the children LOVE and think it smells like ice cream)and read "Ice Cream King". Then, we sometimes continue with "Spooky Old Tree" and "Silly Sally".

It is not mandatory for children to come and sit like a mountain, mermaid or a pretzel. It's not mandatory for them to join in at all, but if they do, they may be laying down, spinning, swinging etc. The only expectation is they may not hurt anyone or anything. Children are encouraged to move if they cannot see. The children have created the rule that if you are in the front you need to sit on your butt (and yes, we say butt here)

It is made very clear that every child BELONGS, with zero pressure to "fit in".

During this session of reading books: there is a child just to the left and behind a bit who is in the midst of his play, listening to the story, not in the pic.

Four of the children in the pic are playing with fidgets or still have in their hand what they are currently playing with, they just hopped in for their favorite part of the book and will return to their play when they choose.

I wish I would have trusted Bev Bos back in 2004, when she said "Children do not need to be sitting still, eyes on you, in order to be listening."

I think of all the miserable circle time routines I drug children through over the years.

No one belonged...I made it clear they all needed to fit in to my expectations.

I wasted so much time micro-managing children. Little did I know none of that was necessary nor good for children.

I want to shout from the mountains: "RELAX!!! Early childhood should NOT be so formal!!!! These are children ❤️❤️❤️"

I want to yell: "TRULY, the only thing that matters and is a MUST in early childhood education/care is CONNECTION, RELATIONSHIPS and BELONGING"

Children are respected at Kaleidoscope.
(Listen to the Children is my page as well)

Children NEED space to simply BE.

In my work as a coach and trainer, I find very few child care centers with adequate COMFORT.

Very few spaces take into consideration how many hours a young child spends there.

Most are set up for extroverts, with little consideration for children who NEED to be left alone.

This child is one who gravitates towards breaks from people. He can only play with others for so long before I find he has escaped for a breather.

There is nothing WRONG with him.
The environment I intentionally create caters towards both introverts and extroverts, active play and quiet play...all at the very same time.

EVERY child belongs here.

This cozy space was made with two shelving units and clear contact paper (that the children played with for a few days, sticking random things to it, before the tissue paper took permanent residence on it...all the work of children)

***NOTE: the sticky roof is going into it's fourth week of play ❤️❤️❤️. Isnt it stunning?

Registration for new families to my programs for children begins March 15!!!

Current and past families can register now!

Do you desire a developmentally appropriate, CHILD-LED opportunity a few days a week for your child?

Would you like your child's needs met so they can be empowered in an emotionally healthy environment rich with open-ended opportunities?

Would you like your child to develop a solid foundatin of life skills?

Children have those opportutunities and so much more at Kaleidoscope Play School.

Will your child be three years old between September 1 and November 1st 2026?

I will be holding interviews/tours for the 2026-2027 school year in February!!!

Message me (Denita) for more information!!!

Kaleidoscope is open Tues./Wed./ Thurs, 8:30-1:00pm (you can decide how long your child is able to stay...I suggest at least 3 hours).

From the archives (cir 2018)

The kitchen at Kaleidoscope is heavily influenced by my Mickey Mouse collection.
The following conversation just happened:

Beckett: "You really like Mickey Mouse don't you, Denita?"
Me: "Yes I do........do you remember why I love Mickey so much?"
Beckett "Because the person that made him never gived up."
Me: "That’s right."
Beckett "I don't give up either."
Me "You are right. You are really really good at not giving up. I notice that all the time in you, and it's wonderful to watch."

Smiles.....hugs....runs off to play, challenge theories and NOT GIVE UP.

At the core of my program are the relationships I have with each child.

That relationship is strengthened through every challenge a child is supported through until they persist on their own.

Hands down, the most important foundation a child can have is the understanding of the power of persistence.

Thanks, Walt