At three years old, a child’s imagination is beginning to flourish! If your little one is not talking much yet, don’t worry. It won’t be long before they start! In just a few months, you’ll start to catch glimpses of the fascinating world of thoughts and questions unfolding in their mind.
Early Childhood: The Age of “Why?”
- “Why is the sky blue?”
- “Why can’t dogs talk?”
- “Why do we have to go to bed?”
While keeping up with these endless questions can be a challenge, they’re a clear sign that your child is observing, analyzing, and growing curious about the world around them! This shows not only their cognitive growth, but growth in language, social & emotional development and, of course, IMAGINATION!
Imagination Drives Learning
At Kinderberry Hill, our classrooms are designed to foster the “whys” and endless amounts of curiosity of young children. Our childcare teachers expertly engage with these thoughtful questions, inviting our clever toddlers and preschool-aged children to explore answers together with phrases like…
- “I’m not sure. How could we find out?”
- “That’s a good question. What do you think?”
- “Hmmm . . . how could we test your idea?”
- “Let’s research! I’ve got some books that might help us.”
Kinderberry Hill: Where Curiosity Meets Discovery
At Kinderberry Hill, our environments are filled with real-life, unique, and even obscure items designed to spark curiosity and foster critical thinking in busy 3- and 4-year-old minds. By placing an old rotary telephone in the dramatic play area, an abacus in the math center, or blueprints in the block area, we encourage children to engage their curiosity and imagination as they explore new, fascinating items. These discoveries prompt endless “why” and “what’s that?” questions, which teachers skillfully support, guiding children to examine and study the objects and draw their own conclusions.
This approach is key to creating an environment that is not only challenging and engaging but also educational, ensuring that young learners’ imaginations are constantly developing. Imagination plays a pivotal role at this age! It helps children build critical thinking skills, navigate social interactions, explore new ideas, develop socio-emotional skills, solve problems, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
About Kinderberry Hill
Kinderberry Hill Child Development Center is a Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning program offering care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. We offer child-led curriculum, year-round outdoor classrooms, and
more, ensuring that your child will have the very best start. All Kinderberry Hill schools are now enrolling in all age groups, with full- and part-time scheduling available. Schedule a tour at one of our seven Minneapolis-St. Paul childcare centers today!
