The experience allows children to explore their imaginations now while forming their minds for the future.
The Guadalupano Family Center of Chicago Commons located in a converted church building provides high-quality child development services to Pilsen families.
"We prepare children for life long experiences," said Esmeralda Arroyo, director for the Guadalupano Family Center. "We get them ready for kindergarten and in all areas of development. We support working families low income families."
Parents are very much a part of the teaching program and often visit to explore with their children. Jesus Ovideo and his son Matias have fun in the reading corner.
"The teachers are well equipped to support the children emotionally as well as academically," Jesus Ovideo said.
This center is more than just learning your ABC's and learning math. This is about allowing your child to explore to engage that child and allow them to learn life's lessons.
The program bases learning, both formal and play, on children's true interests. They nurture curiosity and expose children to many materials, clay, wire, paper, paint, water and all sorts of tools to help them learn and to create.
"We follow the interest of the child and let them explore anywhere in the classroom," said Ann Marie Larmer, Chicago Commons.
The curriculum is based on children's abilities, skills, and motivation. They encourage children to have voices, ideas, and thoughts, and allows them to work in small groups. Play is also an important part of learning.
