Philosophy

Philosophy and Pedagogy

At the Seneca ECE Lab School, our philosophy is a living organism, ever changing. We seek to fuse together inspiration from a variety of places; Reggio Emilia, Indigenous knowledges and ways of being, Frances and David Hawkins, to name a few as they manifest meaning within our Canadian context. We entwine our practice with How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.

How Does Learning Happen? (HDLH) is centered around what the document describes as the four foundations of learning; Belonging, Well-being, Engagement and Expression. 

These encompass the child, family, and educator. The Lab School recognizes these and also considers the learning environment, community and land an integral part of these relationships in learning. The ECE Lab School has a shared vision of these foundations and our work continues to evolve while building upon them. We see these foundations come to life through the pedagogical principles also outlined in HDLH. While we walk alongside children, we also see ourselves as learners in this relationship, living with reciprocity with the children, land and community.

Image from HDLH, 2014

The four foundations outlined in HDLH are lived and expressed in our work in the daily life and relations within the school. In many ways, the document  breathes and is given life through the lived experiences of the work of the children, educators, families and community. We honour all four foundations as individual elements that are inextricably linked; one no more important than the other. Each foundation is woven together by threads creating the tapestry of our community. The foundations outlined in HDLH are not something to be done, but something to be lived. They have become a part of who we are and how we live well together.

Pauline Tuck - RECE

I started my journey at Seneca College King Campus Lab Observatory Teaching School (KOLTS), during my field placement as an ECE student. During the summer and winter breaks from school, I worked as a student on the floor with my supervisor (at the time).  I felt that this is what I would like to pursue and be effective in an early learning setting. When I completed my school and graduated with Honors, I joined full time with KOLTS. I was able to have the opportunity to work close with King Seneca College faculty during my time at KOLTS, and for many years I was part of many fond experiences and memories. 

KOLTS Lab School is closed at this time and I am very honored to continue my journey and join with the team at Seneca Newnham Lab School. 

Over the years, I watched children learn, develop and saw them grow into remarkable people in school/high school/college and university. Some students that have moved forward from KOLTS returned again and shared their experiences with me. I have been blessed to have an opportunity in this career that I am passionate about. I feel each and every child is unique in their own way and I am inspired to learn alongside each child every day.

I was part of Forest School at Seneca King Lab School (KOLTS) and enjoyed being in an outside classroom environment. This was a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to be able to be engaged in many explorations and work as a team together or discover by themselves. 

Children are part of many possibilities and wonder that can be achieved from learning, balancing, creativity and science outside.