We provide integrated support for children and their families, to create a safe environment for growth, connection, and effectiveness.
Methodology
Montessori in a Nutshell
“Montessori education is a holistic approach to raising children developed by Dr. Maria Montessori through decades of observing children around the world. She created “prepared environments” for each age group based on common tendencies and developmental progressions. She created not only materials to convey academic concepts but also a prescription for what we call the “human environment.” Instead of a traditional teacher-student relationship, Montessori guides are meant to “link” the children to their environment via individual lessons given to children at their own pace. The child then pursues the learning process pro-actively, exploring topics and materials independently after their introduction by the guide.
Montessori believed that the best way for a child to fulfill his or her potential was through age-appropriate independence. Independence builds confidence in the child as he learns through his own successes and failures. But a Montessori environment is not a free-for-all. Just as the real world has limitations, so too are there limitations for the child in the Montessori environment. As children get older and learn how to make appropriate choices, they are given more and more freedoms.
Above all, the Montessori philosophy is meant to be an “aid to life,” a methodology to help each child fulfill their unique potential, discovering and developing their personal contributions to the world. Maria Montessori believed that this sense of purpose and self-actualization would lead to inner peace, and by extension a more peaceful world for our children.” – Hiatt Farms Montessori
Social Thinking in a Nutshell
“The Social Thinking Methodology is designed to help individuals age 4 through adult with solid language and learning abilities. While our deeper work is for individuals with social learning challenges who may have autism spectrum levels 1 and 2, ADHD, social communication disorders, social anxiety, twice exceptionalism, or no diagnosis, a subset of our work is being adopted into mainstream classrooms around the world to improve social-emotional learning for all.”
“Our strategies are taught by a wide variety of people we call “interventionists”, including educators, clinicians, families, caregivers, college students, etc. Professionals who use our work include speech-language pathologists, special and general education teachers, social workers, counselors, clinical and school psychologists, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, school administrators, paraprofessionals, marriage and family therapists, and medical professionals, to name a few….”
“Social thinking is the process by which we interpret the thoughts, beliefs, intentions, emotions, knowledge and actions of another person along with the context of the situation to understand that person’s experience. If we are engaging or sharing space with another person, we use this information to determine how to respond to affect the thoughts that person has about us to achieve our social goals (such as being friendly to maintain a friendship, acting generous to impress a date, and seeming unfriendly to deflect attention when walking alone late at night, etc.). Social thinking is our meaning maker - it allows us to interpret the deeper meaning behind what others do in the world, and (if the situation calls for it) prompts us with how to respond. A person’s social thinking ability has a considerable effect on his or her relationships and success in school and at work. It affects the person’s social skills, perspective taking, self-awareness, self-regulation, critical thinking, social problem solving, play skills, reading comprehension, written expression, ability to learn and work in a group, organizational skills, etc.” - SocialThinking.com
Equine Facilitated Learning in a Nutshell
“The equine is a sentient being, partner and co-facilitator in the equine facilitated relationship and process. The term “equine” is meant to include horses, donkeys and mules, as all of these animals have gifts to offer in the field of equine facilitated wellness. Equines have their own perceptions and emotions, and can also attune themselves to the presence and feelings of others. Through their remarkable sensitivity, perceptiveness, and intuition equines are able to offer valuable feedback and information to clients. It is crucial that they are able to express themselves spontaneously and freely through their actions and reactions when working with clients.
In order to support their equine partners in this field, it is incumbent upon human facilitators to be aware of the impact that this work may have on equines, and safeguard their physical, mental and emotional well-being at all times. They must ensure that their equine partners are treated respectfully and ethically, both within and outside of client sessions. Human partners need to understand that their equine partners are completely dependent upon their stewardship, and do their utmost to meet their psychological and physical needs.” - equinefacilitatedwellness.org
““People will never forget how you made them feel.””
Local
Consultation Office Space provided by Collaborative Wellness in Ladner - www.collaborativewellnessladner.com
Equine Facilitated Learning Space provided by Four Seasons Equestrian Facility
Equine Facilitated Learning Space & Horses provided by Sunnyvale Miniatures - www.sunnyvaleminiatures.com
Branding & Website Support - www.whitecanvasdesign.ca
Photo of Jana - www.eranjayne.com