There are many schools of thought regarding how to educate and nurture young children. (Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, etc.) When you look at the philosophies, there are many similarities between them because there are certain “truths” that must be a part of each philosophy — such as children need a safe environment. Taking what rings true from the various philosophies, adding experience, practicality and love, a new, hybrid philosophy is created — BellaVita.

When basic needs are met, children can relax into their environment and learn. Basic needs include: physically and emotionally safe environment, a sense of belonging, adequate and nutritious food and water in regular intervals, and comfort in the elements (e.g. Sunhats in summer or mittens in winter). Basic needs should not be underestimated; they are the foundation to everything else. If this foundation is weak, the higher levels of human potential will not be attained to their fullest.

When people are able to connect new information to things that they already know or that are important to them, the learning is more internalized and remembered. For example, when a child is learning to write letters, they do not start with random words, they start with something meaningful that they’ve heard thousands of times — their own name.

Using specific praise for a child’s efforts, documenting work with pictures or journals, and dictating a child’s spoken word are some of the many ways we can send them the message that what they do and say is important. Through documentation, verbal review and dialogue, children are able to review their work progress and plan for future endeavors. This process results in the creation of real, meaningful self-esteem.