Author: graystone_admin

At Graystone CELA, we believe in providing children with rich, hands-on experiences that connect them to the world around them. One of the most meaningful ways we do this is through our gardening program, where children in all of our programs actively participate in growing, nurturing, and learning from plants all year long.

Each week, every child takes part in gardening activities, whether it’s planting seeds, watering herbs, checking on vegetables, or observing changes in the garden. This program takes place year-round, beginning indoors in our piazza, where children care for seedlings, herbs, and vegetables in a light-filled, shared community space using our hydroponics. As the seasons change, the plants are transferred outdoors to our garden boxes, where the children continue to care for them and witness their growth in a new environment.

Our harvest doesn’t just stay in the garden, it makes its way into our kitchen, too. Children help pick fresh herbs and vegetables that are then incorporated into the snacks and meals we serve. Whether it’s basil in a pasta dish, mint in a refreshing cup of water, or tomatoes added to a salad, the children love seeing how their work in the garden becomes a nourishing part of their day.

Through this ongoing relationship with the garden, children develop a deeper understanding of nature, sustainability, and responsibility. They learn that growth takes time, care, and patience, and they take pride in being part of every step of the process.

An exciting part of our gardening program is the child-created compost bin, which the children use to turn food scraps and garden waste into rich, nourishing soil. This full-circle approach helps children see how everything in nature is connected and fosters early environmental awareness.

Gardening is about so much more than plants. It offers opportunities for:

• Sensory exploration – feeling soil, smelling herbs, tasting vegetables
• Scientific thinking – asking questions, making observations, and noticing patterns
• Collaboration – working together to care for a shared space
• Emotional growth – practicing patience, empathy, and pride in their contributions

We’re proud of the way our gardening program nurtures not only plants—but also curiosity, care, and community. It’s one of the many ways we help children build meaningful connections to the environment and to each other.

Next time you’re at the centre, be sure to visit the garden—you might be surprised by what’s growing!

At Graystone CELA, we believe that learning comes to life when childre n can witness and engage with the natural world firsthand. One of the most magical experiences this season has been our butterfly-raising project, where children had the opportunity to observe the complete life cycle of a butterfly—from caterpillar to chrysalis to beautiful winged creature.

We began by welcoming a group of tiny caterpillars, already in the larval stage, into our classrooms. The children were fascinated to watch the caterpillars munching away on their special nutrient-rich food, growing bigger every day. This stage sparked rich conversations about biology, change, and the needs of living things.

Soon, the caterpillars were ready for the next step in their transformation. One by one, they formed chrysalides, preparing for metamorphosis. At this point, we carefully moved them into our butterfly net house, where the chrysalides were gently taped to the roof—ready for the next stage of their journey.

After about a week of patient waiting, something incredible happened—the butterflies began to emerge! Their delicate wings needed time to dry, so we made sure they had a calm, safe space and some fresh fruit to nibble on as we observed this awe-inspiring process. The children were captivated by the transformation, watching as each butterfly slowly unfolded its wings and came to life.

Once all of the butterflies had emerged and were ready for flight, we gathered on the playground for the final—and most exciting—part of the journey: the release. With gentle hands and wide eyes, the children helped set the butterflies free, watching with joy as they fluttered into the world. It was a beautiful moment filled with excitement, wonder, and a sense of connection to nature.

This experience offered so much more than science—it nurtured curiosity, empathy, and respect for living things. It also provided a tangible way to talk about growth, change, and the beauty of transformation—concepts that resonate deeply with young children and the journeys they are on themselves.

We’re grateful to have shared this magical process with our little learners—and we look forward to many more nature-based discoveries together!

This September in the Atelier, the preschoolers were inspired by the vibrant work of artist Sonia Delaunay. Sonia was known for her love of bright colours and geometric shapes, especially circles and squares. What made her art so special was how she brought creativity into everyday life—designing not only paintings but also clothing, furniture, and textiles filled with bold, joyful patterns.

To explore Sonia’s style, the children experimented with circular loose parts and paint, creating their own circular designs on paper. They thoughtfully arranged different-sized colourful circles, layering and overlapping them to see how colours mix and shapes connect.

Through this experience, the preschoolers learned about pattern, repetition, and balance, while also discovering how art can be found everywhere—on the things we wear, use, and see each day. Their creations beautifully reflect Sonia Delaunay’s playful spirit and the joy of exploring art through colour and form.

At Graystone CELA, we believe that children are natural artists, thinkers, and explorers. To nurture these qualities, we’ve created a dedicated space that invites creativity, experimentation, and discovery: the Atelier.

The Atelier is more than just an art room—it’s a carefully curated environment where children can explore their ideas through a wide range of materials and hands-on experiences. Guided by our Atelierista, children are encouraged to dive into creative processes such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and constructing.

What makes the Atelier unique is its emphasis on open-ended exploration. Children are invited to use a wide array of loose parts materials like shells, buttons, fabric, wood, wire, beads, and natural items to build, imagine, and express their thoughts in new ways. These materials are not used with a set outcome in mind; instead, they act as provocations, inspiring children to problem-solve, invent, and tell their own stories.

In the Atelier, thinking is made visible. Every mark on paper, sculpture built, or collage created offers a glimpse into how a child understands the world around them. It’s a space where children’s voices are honored, their questions are valued, and their ideas take shape in tangible, meaningful ways.

We see every child as a capable, curious creator, and the Atelier is one of the ways we bring this belief to life. Through artistic exploration, children build not only fine motor skills and creativity but also confidence, focus, collaboration, and a deeper sense of self-expression.

We invite you to take a peek into the Atelier next time you visit! It’s a place full of wonder, imagination, and the vibrant energy of children engaged in meaningful work.

At Graystone CELA, we believe that professional development is essential to nurturing a vibrant and responsive learning environment for children. Recently, four of our educators had the opportunity to attend the NAREA Conference, a dynamic gathering focused on the evolving role of technology in education and everyday life.

Throughout the conference, our team explored how digital tools can be meaningfully integrated into early childhood settings. They engaged with inspiring ideas about using technology to enhance children’s creativity, collaboration, and engagement—always in ways that are thoughtful, intentional, and child-centered. The experience sparked rich reflections on how we might deepen our pedagogical practices through the lens of innovation and connection.

To extend this learning across our entire team, all staff members participated in a hands-on workshop inspired by the Bordercrossings Conference.

 During this session, we explored original documentation from the renowned schools of Reggio Emilia in Italy and experimented with a range of materials—light, loose parts, and digital tools. These experiences invited us to consider how materials can provoke thinking, invite exploration, and support children in expressing their ideas in diverse ways.

The workshop fostered collaborative conversations and fresh perspectives, inspiring us to reimagine how technology and materials can support inquiry, creativity, and relationship-building in our classrooms.

We’re excited to bring these new insights and practices into our centre, enriching the learning experiences we offer every day. As always, our goal is to create spaces where children feel empowered to explore, discover, and make meaning in a world that is constantly evolving.

An important offering at Graystone CELA, the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Program, is available on-site through a partnership with a highly experienced Behaviour Analyst. This collaboration brings together the best of both worlds: industry-leading ABA therapy and our strong foundation in early learning, creating a seamless and supportive experience for children and families.

Through this partnership, we offer convenient, in-house behavioural consulting services, meaning your child can receive high-quality therapy while staying in their familiar environment, alongside their peers. This approach not only reduces transitions for children but also supports learning in the context of everyday routines and relationships.

All ABA programming is overseen by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (Ontario) who is also an approved Ontario Autism Program (OAP) provider, ensuring that services meet the highest professional standards.

What Is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a flexible, evidence-based approach from the field of psychology that focuses on understanding and improving behaviour in meaningful ways. ABA has been widely researched over the past 50+ years and has consistently shown success in supporting individuals with a range of behavioural and developmental needs.

ABA therapy is designed to:

• Teach new skills (such as communication, self-help, and social interaction)
• Support play and self-regulation
• Reduce challenging behaviours (e.g., tantrums, self-injury, non-compliance)
• Help children build confidence and independence in their everyday environments

At its core, ABA focuses on positive, measurable change that supports a child’s overall development and well-being.

Our ABA Services:

We offer a range of individualized supports based on your child’s unique needs:

• Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)
• Functional Skills Assessments
• Classroom Observations
• Individualized Support Plans (ISP)
• Therapy sessions with a Behaviour Early Childhood Facilitator
• Program Mentoring and Data Collection

Our team works closely with educators and families to create a consistent and collaborative approach, helping children thrive both in the classroom and beyond.

A Holistic, Child-Centered Approach:

We understand that every child is unique, and so are their learning needs. By combining ABA therapy with our play-based early learning environment, we ensure that each child receives support in a developmentally appropriate, respectful, and inclusive way.

We’re proud to be able to offer this service to families as part of our commitment to supporting every child’s potential.

If you’re interested in learning more about our ABA program at Graystone CELA, please reach out—we’d love to connect with you.