Posted from the Calgary Herald – February 18, 2010

“If you make a bird craft, we leave them open-ended art materials, and they create the bird themselves,” Mattatall says.

“We’re here to set up an environment to encourage the kids to go play in different centres, where they can learn about real-life challenges they can face.”

In addition to its preschool program, Joso’s is a day care, drop-in child care centre and public-access indoor playground.

“We’re here to prepare them for the next step in life, which would be kindergarten, which is definitely a more structured area.

“With our preschool, we run a structured program, but we also allow a chance for free choice and free play,” says Mattatall.

Joso’s staff members ask children open-ended questions to help them come to their own conclusions about things so the learning can happen naturally.

“We provide them with some tools, and let them go. Children learn social skills, they get to enact real-life situations in our dress-up centre, they practise social skills -sharing, taking turns, being patient and respectful,” she says.

“When they play, it gives us a chance to step back and observe them. It can help us identify any developmental issues or concerns that we can see in the way they play. We’re here to help each child develop a positive self image, and to have fun.”