Trina shares with us her review of her visit to Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier.
Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia -inspired schools are three highly-regarded early education methods.
The Reggio Emilia approach, in particular, is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. Originating in the town of Reggio Emilia in Italy, this pedagogy is student-centered and values a child’s independence, creativity, and his or her involved role as an active member of the community.
Since first introducing the Reggio Emilia approach to Singapore in 2008, Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier has worked tirelessly to pioneer other early education concepts to the little red dot.
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Child-Led Self-Directed Play
In addition to their Nursery & International Preschool, Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier has a range of classes, and playgroup sessions held at their Turf City and UE Square locations. If you’re looking to give baby time and space for some self-directed play, the Drop-In sessions would be perfect.
Located on the ground floor of UE Square, the 2000 square feet Reggio Emilia inspired venue has beautiful high ceilings and is awash with natural sunlight. Not designed as a soft play space, the Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier is an inviting environment akin to an interactive children’s museum.
The Atelier is clean, welcoming and homely – before we had even stepped in, my daughter was raring to play. Once her socks were on, it was all systems go, go, go!
Filled with little nooks and self-play activity corners, the Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier does their utmost to make use of natural materials and ordinary everyday items including zippers, and wicker baskets.
Updated regularly, I always leave with some wonderfully simple open-ended play ideas that you can easily replicate at home. Think plastic colanders, whisks, and bowls for a bit of pretend baking; or a weekly treasure basket of things in one colour when introducing baby to colours.
Open-Ended Play For The Win
The Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier at UE Square also featured a mirrored reading nook with a selection of story books.
My daughter had, at first, made a beeline for the drums, and spent a good while playing with the maracas, tambourines, and wood blocks. What you’ll notice is that the instruments – and all other bits and bobs you find in the Atelier – are very well-maintained; perfectly safe and suitable for babies and toddlers to play with.
Our favourite part of Blue House Atelier at UE Square was the space shuttle-like cabin that houses lightboxes and a comfy cushy mattress. The lightboxes are super cool with switches positioned quite low to allow the children to flick on and off independently, and experiment with colour mixing. There are also window blocks to complement use of the lightboxes.
Excellent Play Date Venue
Although food and drinks are not allowed in the Atelier, the play space is usually quiet enough for mummies and daddies to get together for a little chat while the babies do their play date thing. The venue is also great for independent exploration without the need for parents to helicopter hover around the children.
At $25 a pop, it might feel a little pricey for frequent visits but me and my daughter have never not enjoyed ourselves, so it really is worth every penny in my opinion.
Visiting Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier
Before you pop by the Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier for a Drop-In session, go here for a detailed weekly schedule of events.