Chartwell Early Learning Framework
Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Success
Enrolling your child at Chartwell Childcare offers more than just exceptional care—it provides a foundation for future success. At Chartwell, our Early Learning framework is designed to support your child’s growth during the most critical developmental years.
Nearly 90% of brain development occurs between the ages of 1 and 5, with over one million neural connections forming every second. These connections lay the groundwork for brain architecture, shaping future learning, behavior, and health. Backed by extensive research, our Early Learning framework is thoughtfully crafted to nurture your child’s potential and set them on a path toward lifelong achievement.
Research indicates that the early years of a child’s life, when the brain is rapidly developing, are a vital window of opportunity to unlock their full potential. During this time, essential academic, social, and cognitive skills are formed, laying the foundation for success in school and life.
"A child can only acquire the words he hears spoken around him. This is not teaching but absorption. The child is, by nature, hungry for words; he loves strange, long words like the names of dinosaurs and constellations. He takes in all these words without understanding their meaning, as his mind is still taking language in by a process of unconscious absorption."
~ Maria Montessori
The Critical Role of Brain Development Between Ages 1–5
Source : Population Health and Early Childhood Development - Dr. Clyde Hertzman
Between ages 1 and 5, the brain undergoes its most rapid and transformative growth. During this period, known as synaptic blooming, children’s brains form thousands of new neural connections, building the foundation for future learning and development. The more experiences and opportunities a child has during these years, the stronger these neural pathways become. After this phase, a process called synaptic pruning occurs, where unused connections are refined or eliminated, making the brain more efficient.
This critical window of brain development focuses on five key areas, known as sensitive periods: Sensory & Motor Skills, Cognitive Growth, Social & Emotional Development, Creativity & Expression, Language & Communication. These areas shape our curriculum framework, ensuring children are exposed to experiences that nurture these essential skills.
The quality and variety of experiences during this time set the stage for lifelong learning, enabling children to build upon a strong foundation as they grow.
Creativity & Expression: Unlocking Imagination and Self-Discovery
Creativity and self-expression thrive between ages 3 to 5, when children’s imaginations peak, and they begin exploring different ways to share their ideas and feelings. This period is essential for helping children discover their unique voice and fostering their ability to think innovatively.
Through activities like drawing, painting, storytelling, music, and dramatic play, children learn to express their thoughts and emotions in ways that words alone cannot capture. Engaging in creative experiences not only builds fine motor skills but also enhances problem-solving abilities, as children experiment with new ideas and bring their imaginations to life.
This stage of development is vital for nurturing confidence, as children see their creations valued and celebrated. When given the tools and freedom to explore, they learn to channel their emotions, communicate ideas, and develop a lifelong appreciation for art and innovation.
Language & Communication: Building Connections Through Words
Language and communication skills see rapid development between ages 1 to 3, with key foundational growth continuing through age 5. During this period, children transition from babbling to forming sentences, expanding their vocabularies at an astonishing pace. These early years are critical for teaching children how to express themselves, understand others, and engage in meaningful conversations.
As children are exposed to spoken words, stories, and songs, their brains form the neural connections needed for language acquisition. Encouraging communication through reading, storytelling, and interactive play helps them grasp not only the structure of language but also its emotional and social nuances.
By age 5, children often display a remarkable ability to understand and use complex sentences, engage in conversations, and begin developing literacy skills. Supporting language growth during this sensitive period lays the foundation for success in reading, writing, and effective communication throughout their lives.
Sensory & Motor Skills: Building the Foundation for Understanding and Interaction
Sensory and motor development begins at birth and reaches a significant peak between ages 2 to 4, when children are most actively exploring their environments and refining their abilities to interact with the world. During these years, children experience rapid growth in coordination and sensory processing, mastering skills like balancing, climbing, grasping, and sorting.
These experiences are critical for brain development, as they create and strengthen neural connections. Activities like sorting objects by texture, playing with musical instruments, or navigating obstacle courses help children integrate sensory information and develop motor control.
Research suggests that sensory-rich play during these peak ages fosters problem-solving, spatial awareness, and self-regulation, building confidence and independence. As children actively engage with their surroundings, they not only enhance their physical abilities but also develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Cognitive Growth: Unlocking Potential Through Early Learning
Cognitive development takes center stage between ages 3 to 5, when children’s brains are rapidly building the capacity to think, reason, and solve problems. During this critical period, children begin to develop memory, attention, and logical thinking skills, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
At these peak ages, children are naturally curious, asking questions, testing ideas, and exploring cause-and-effect relationships. Activities like puzzles, building blocks, storytelling, and pattern recognition games play a vital role in fostering this growth. These experiences strengthen neural pathways, enabling children to process information, draw connections, and adapt to new situations.
Research highlights that structured and exploratory learning during this time enhances cognitive flexibility, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities. By engaging with diverse and challenging tasks, children not only build their intellectual capacity but also gain the confidence to tackle future academic and life challenges. This period of growth is a powerful opportunity to nurture their full potential.
Social & Emotional Development: Building Connections and Confidence
Social and emotional development flourishes between ages 2 to 4, as children begin to form meaningful relationships, understand their own feelings, and recognize emotions in others. These years are pivotal for developing empathy, cooperation, and self-regulation skills that are essential for lifelong social success.
During this time, children learn to share, take turns, and navigate group dynamics through play and structured activities. Interactions with peers and caregivers help them build trust, communicate effectively, and manage emotions like frustration or excitement. Activities like role-playing, group storytelling, and collaborative games strengthen their ability to work with others and handle conflicts constructively.
This stage is also when children start to develop emotional resilience and confidence. With a nurturing environment and supportive guidance, they learn to express themselves in healthy ways and build the social skills that form the foundation for strong friendships and relationships throughout life.
Care is Essential, But Children Deserve More to Truly Thrive
At Chartwell Daycare, we recognize that children need more than just care to reach their full potential—they need an environment that nurtures growth, learning, and exploration at every stage of their development.
Providing children with a stimulating and enriching environment during their early years can create a foundation for lifelong success. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to align with the critical periods of brain development from ages 1–5, emphasizing subjects and activities that meet the unique needs of young learners.
During these formative years, every experience helps solidify the neural connections that shape a child's ability to learn, grow, and achieve throughout their lives.
Chartwell's Baby and Junior Kindergarten programs integrate advanced early learning philosophies, ensuring a curriculum that evolves with the latest research in childhood education.
Our methodology incorporates global best practices in early education, inspired by innovative systems like the French model, where learning begins at age 2, and the Chinese approach, which starts at age 3. Chartwell Daycare brings these proven methods to Canada, establishing itself as a leader in early learning.
At Chartwell, we’re dedicated to more than preparing children for kindergarten—we’re committed to setting the stage for a lifetime of success.
