About
History
In 2003 Lisa Fitch started a parent/child program called Inch by Inch with a group of dedicated parents who wanted to create a nurturing environment where children could grow and discover their world. We wanted to create a family feeling where toddlers could move independently and feel safe, knowing a parent/caregiver was close by. After a year of success, we added a preschool program, which served as a natural extension to the parent/toddler program. We now provide a full time drop off preschool program with the same nurturing environment that we worked so hard to achieve.
Philosophy
We believe children grow and develop best in an environment where they feel safe to move and explore in their own way. In this safe environment, our children learn through involvement with materials, interaction with other children, and through active play.
We provide an environment where successes are acknowledged and also where children feel safe to make mistakes. We encourage children to express their feelings in appropriate ways so that they feel heard.
Young children learn best from concrete experiences and through activities that matter to them. At IBI, they are encouraged to become decision makers in their own learning process through child-initiated projects and play.
Why a play-based program?
Play provides children with experiences from which they develop a sense of power and autonomy. Through imaginative play, children are able to make sense of the world that surrounds them. Play gives children a chance to explore their talents and interests and exercise physical and mental skills in their own way and at their own pace. It allows them to test ideas and practice activities in the safety of make believe.
Children often take what has been provided to them from a lesson and just take off. They might enact a play from a story we have just read or lose themselves in the water table after we have explored a sink float science experiment. We believe that this freedom to explore in their own way is where most learning takes place. This is why freedom of movement and choice is an important element at Inch by Inch.
We provide the child with a wide breadth of experiences: music, creative movement, dance, yoga, art, math, science, language, gardening, games, cooking and dramatic play. We allow children to explore these activities in their own way and at their own pace. They know what they need, for play is a child's work!
Approach to problem solving
Conflict can be a great learning experience for children. As children come in contact with each other, they inevitably will experience conflict. Conflict arises for different reasons and therefore each situation requires a different approach or response.
Because children have different temperaments, what works for some children, does not necessarily work for others. We use redirecting with the very young. As they get older, we will often stand back and observe as long as they are handling the situation safely. By stepping in prematurely, we could be taking a valuable learning experience from them. We find that with consistent guidelines and predictable limits, along with a nurturing environment, behavioral issues are reduced.
Children need gentle guidance in coming up with solutions and/or compromises they can accept. We also work with the child's vocabulary to help them find words to voice their feelings. Modeling the very behavior that we would like the children to learn is the most powerful tool in teaching children. We also believe that if the child feels heard, loved and respected by their teachers, they will want to be respectful in return.
