Our Program

Learning that looks like play

For children ages 6 months to 5 years, every day at Wonder Thinkers blends Alberta's FLIGHT framework with an emergent curriculum shaped by what each child is genuinely curious about.

Our Framework

Guided by Alberta's FLIGHT

FLIGHT is Alberta's play-based early learning and care framework. At Wonder Thinkers, it comes to life through noticing what children are drawn to, naming and building vocabulary around their discoveries, and nurturing their thinking with open-ended materials, time and gentle guidance.

Alongside FLIGHT, our curriculum is emergent — meaning activities grow out of each child's real interests and questions, rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all lesson plan.

Noticing

Watching what naturally draws each child's attention.

Naming

Building vocabulary and language around discoveries.

Nurturing

Offering open materials, time and space to explore.

Guiding

Asking questions that extend children's thinking.

FLIGHT In Action

See FLIGHT come to life

Real moments from our days at Wonder Thinkers, grouped by the four parts of FLIGHT. Tap any photo to see it larger.

Children's faces are blurred to protect their privacy.

Noticing

We watch for what naturally draws each child in — a bowl of golden leaves, a tray of river stones, a colour hunt on a crisp autumn day — and let their curiosity lead.

A toddler with a face blurred for privacy exploring yellow autumn leaves and corn kernels in a metal pot with a fork

A child with a face blurred for privacy placing a toy penguin among river stones, twigs and blue sand in a white tray

A child with a face blurred for privacy placing a yellow leaf on an Autumn Colour Hunt sheet on a gravel path

Naming

Discoveries come with words. Letters on the wall, colours on a paint palette and beads sliding along a maze all become chances to build vocabulary and language.

A child reaching up to touch letters on a colourful alphabet poster on the wall

A toddler with a face blurred for privacy painting with a brush and a palette of red, yellow, blue and green paint

A child with a face blurred for privacy sliding colourful beads along a wooden bead maze, with alphabet and shapes posters behind

Nurturing

Open-ended materials, time and space to explore: a sensory bin of flowers and scoops, a giant painting spread out on the grass, apples bobbing in bright green water.

A child with a face blurred for privacy scooping with a ladle in a white bin filled with flowers, green gems and yellow water

Four children with faces blurred for privacy painting together on a long roll of paper laid out on the backyard grass

Two children in smocks with faces blurred for privacy playing with apples and cups in a tray of bright green water

Guiding

Gentle questions that stretch thinking: What can we do next? What do you notice inside? Circle-time stretches, planting a succulent and splitting open a pumpkin all invite wondering.

Teacher Marge sitting on a foam play mat leading a group of children with faces blurred for privacy in a seated stretch

A child in a purple cap with the face blurred for privacy using a small trowel to plant a succulent in a purple pot outdoors

A child with a face blurred for privacy holding two halves of a pumpkin and touching the seeds inside

What Children Experience

Eight pillars, woven into everyday play

Early Literacy & Numeracy

Letters, sounds, counting and patterns woven into play.

School Readiness

Building the confidence and routines that ease the move to school.

Social & Emotional Growth

Sharing, turn-taking and naming feelings within a small, familiar group.

Science & Discovery

Observation, curiosity and simple hands-on investigation.

Creative & Sensory Play

Art, texture and imagination-led activities every week.

Stories, Songs & Circle Time

Daily rhythm and language built through books and music.

Outdoor & Gross-Motor Play

Fresh air, movement and active play built into each day.

Independence & Practical Life

Real tasks — pouring, tidying, dressing — that build self-reliance.

90%

Early-childhood research widely cites that about 90% of a child's brain develops by age five. That is why every day at Wonder Thinkers treats play as a chance to build confidence, curiosity and early learning skills.

A Glimpse Inside

A typical day at Wonder Thinkers

This is an illustrative rhythm, not a fixed schedule — the exact daily routine is shared directly with families during enrollment and can flex around naps, meals and each child's needs.

Morning

Arrival & Free Play

Warm welcomes and open-ended play as children settle in.

Mid-Morning

Circle Time & Guided Learning

Stories, songs and a hands-on activity tied to current interests.

Late Morning

Outdoor & Gross-Motor Play

Fresh air, movement and active exploration.

Midday

Lunch & Rest

A provided meal followed by quiet or nap time.

Afternoon

Creative & Sensory Activities

Art, practical-life tasks and small-group projects.

Late Afternoon

Snack, Free Play & Pickup

Unwinding together as families arrive.

A child's hand reaching for a tray of fresh fruit, vegetables and crackers arranged for snack time

Meals & Snacks

Nourished through the day

Wonder Thinkers provides meals along with morning and afternoon snacks, with varied, child-friendly menus. Dietary needs and allergies are discussed individually with each family to make sure we get it right for your child.

See if Wonder Thinkers is the right fit

Book a tour to start the conversation, or reach out with questions about our program.

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