The Children’s Program at Nova Vita provides a nurturing and safe environment where children can engage in a variety of activities designed to stimulate their cognitive, language, physical, emotional and social abilities. It is research based, trauma informed, and includes current best practices in the field of early childhood education.
When a mom and her children come to shelter, A Child and Youth Worker and Early Childhood Educator do an intake with mom and then with each child separately. They will review with mom any concerns she may have (maybe her son experienced a lot of trauma, or their daughter has social anxiety so shelter living may be scary – these are just examples) and the children can also voice their concerns. They find out what the child is interested in. The workers can work with mom and kids to work on those issues with the child individually or in the afterschool program.
One recent activity The Children’s Program includes the Literacy Wall, which is a fun, interactive way to teach literacy to children.
October’s Literacy Wall features “Tuckers Spooky Halloween” by Leslie McGuirk. This story follows Tuckers journey to find a Halloween costume that makes him feel just right, while experimenting with a variety of imaginary roles.
The Children’s Program engages in various forms of literacy activities allowing our resident children to explore social an emotional roles, expand their vocabulary, create problem solving opportunities and discover their own likes and dislikes. Dramatic play is a vital component to early childhood development.
Past Literacy Wall’s have been:
Did you know…?
- 45 preschoolers were supported through our STEP program (Success, Treatment, and Education for Pre-schoolers)
- 23 Children actively participated in our after school program
- 27 children who witnessed abuse attended group programming
- Children each get a birthday party when their birthday occurs while in shelter – presents and a cake with their name on it.
