Our Approach to Learning
At Wellheart, we are guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. We believe children are active participants in their learning, constructing knowledge through meaningful experiences.
Guiding Principles
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Child as an Explorer – Students follow their interests with educators as guides.
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Environment as the "Third Teacher" – Inspiring classrooms promote curiosity and interaction.
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Collaboration and Communication – Learning thrives through teamwork and shared ideas.
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Documentation – Teachers track learning progress through photos, videos, and reflections.
Place-Based Learning
Some children learn best in settings beyond the traditional classroom—at home, in nature, or out in the community.
Our place-based option supports this with flexible, personalized experiences rooted in the environments where they thrive most.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Learning begins with questions, not answers. Students explore real-world ideas through observation, investigation, and reflection—developing critical thinking, creativity, and a love of discovery along the way.
Mixed-Age Classrooms
Children learn in multi-age groups that support collaboration, mentorship, and personalized growth. Mixed-age settings allow students to progress at their own pace while building meaningful relationships across developmental stages.
Emergent Curriculum
Teachers co-create the curriculum in response to students’ interests, experiences, and wonderings. Learning is dynamic and meaningful, shaped by what matters most to the children and the world around them.
Our Comprehensive Curriculum
Wellheart cultivates an approach that considers the whole child and all of their cognitive, physical, emotional, and developmental needs across the ages, and integrates subject matter within real life contexts.
We thoughtfully selected high-quality, research-backed curricula that align with Common Core Standards (CCS) while also reflecting our core values: inquiry-driven learning, teacher-led exploration, constructivist approaches, deep questioning, and creativity. Each program we adopt supports our commitment to nurturing curious, capable, and compassionate learners.
Mathematics
Students engage in collaborative, hands-on problem-solving through the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, promoting deep thinking, meaningful struggle, and real-world application.
Literacy
A joyful and structured approach supports every learner through a blend of PRIDE Reading, Handwriting Without Tears, CKLA, and UFLI Foundations, building strong readers and writers.
Science
Curiosity comes alive through student-led investigations and active discovery using the OpenSciEd and Investigative Science curricula, fostering critical thinking and scientific literacy.
Social-Emotional Learning
Through the MindUp program, students develop self-awareness, resilience, and emotional regulation, supporting well-being and a positive learning environment.
Cultural & Experiential Learning
Students explore diverse cultures and global perspectives through inquiry-driven projects, immersive simulations, and experiences grounded in the TCi curriculum.
