Irving Park Early Learning Center
Preschool in Chicago, IL 60618
3021 W Montrose Ave # 23
Chicago, IL 60618
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Welcome to Irving Park Early Learning Center’s Home on the Web!
Caring, quality childcare for all young children. We believe the foundation for learning is best laid by creating a balance between structured learning experience and free play chosen by the child.
Structured learning takes place primarily in a group of children with similar age and developmental needs, where the child learns to participate within a social unity other than his or her family. For most, this will be their first experience of being treated as an equal in a group of peers.
Social skills that will be laid down in this setting will be needed throughout life: self respect for others, learning how to share and take turns, how to cooperate with others, and when and how to be assertive.
- Child Ages:
- 1 year - 5 years
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- 06:30 - 18:00
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One of the most important things a child can do is PLAY. Play is the essential joy of childhood and is also the way children learn about themselves, their environment and the people around them. As they play, children learn to solve problems, get along with peers and control their bodies as they enrich their creativity and develop leadership skills. When children play with a broad variety of age appropriate toys, the experiences help them to develop to their fullest potential.
Children bring boundless energy and imagination to their play with toys and are constantly developing new and creative ways to play. Because there are so many different kinds of toys and novel ways to play with them, children learn that the world is a diverse place with unlimited possibilities. Toys thus have an exciting role in helping children to become mature, confident and imaginative adults.
Play is essential to a childs development and is the way that youngsters learn the skills they will need for a happy and capable adulthood. According to child development specialist Mary Sinker, the following are just some of the ways children learn through play:
Physical skills are developed through movement as a child learns to reach, grasp, crawl, run, climb and balance. Dexterity develops as he or she handles objects in play.
Language develops as a child plays and interacts with others. Beginning with cooing games with a parent and evolving to sophisticated levels such as telling stories and jokes, the ability to use language increases as the child plays.
Social skills grow as the child plays. Learning to cooperate, negotiate, take turns and play by the rules are all important skills learned in early games. It is through imaginative play that the child begins to learn some of the roles and rules of society.
Understanding how the world works develops as a result of problem solving with toys. What fits here? How big is that? Is this color the same as that color? How can I balance these? A child moves on to higher levels of thought as he or she plays in a stimulating environment.
Emotional well being develops through positive play experiences. When children feel successful and capable as they play, they acquire important ingredients for emotional health. Sharing play experiences also forges strong bonds between parent and child throughout childhood.
