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Husky House has been serving families of the Happy Valley Community (and beyond) for over 30 years. Apart from the physical and emotional safety of the children in our care, our primary goals are inclusion and social-emotional learning.
Listed below are additional reading and resources to explain and expand on our beliefs and approach. Resources have been categorized to align with our Mission Statement for ease:
Listed below are additional reading and resources to explain and expand on our beliefs and approach. Resources have been categorized to align with our Mission Statement for ease:
husky House
OPTIMISTIC SCHOOL CULTURE & INTENTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
INCLUSION & CULTURAL AWARENESS
Children naturally notice similarities and differences. We are conscious of where we as adults put our attention. How we address holidays in our program is yet another way we are able to model for children. It is an opportunity for remembering that one of our goals is to foster inclusiveness as we help children in their social & emotional development. Children interpret our values and what we deem important from what we choose to offer, share and highlight.
When building our program, we consider how we include holidays and fun days in our programs in a way that is inclusive and respectful to all children and families. For this reason, we do not emphasize or celebrate religious or “mainstream” holidays. Instead, we allow children's interests and personal experiences to guide our curriculum. Our effort is to support inclusivity while encouraging children’s natural ability to look at their world through a positive and curious lens.
When building our program, we consider how we include holidays and fun days in our programs in a way that is inclusive and respectful to all children and families. For this reason, we do not emphasize or celebrate religious or “mainstream” holidays. Instead, we allow children's interests and personal experiences to guide our curriculum. Our effort is to support inclusivity while encouraging children’s natural ability to look at their world through a positive and curious lens.
| Asking Questions that Support Children's Understanding about Diversity from NAEYC |
| Inclusion & Holidays |
| Anti-bias Education & Holidays from Louise Derman Sparks and NAEYC |
CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
individual Growth of the whole child
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICES (DAP)
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE
Connection and Collaboration
COMMUNITY BUILDING
We work intentionally to build a sense of community, fostering peer relationships across grades. We facilitate morning meetings where we practice mindfulness and set group agreements. We offer yoga to slow down and collaborative art or games throughout the day. We find that children forming connections with other children not of their expected friend-group (ages, grades, gender, interests) gives the whole group a strong feeling of support and collegiality. In that environment, when a child is struggling, they have not only trusted adults but a variety of peers they can reach out to for advice, comfort, and care.
| Setting Group Agreements with Youth |
COMMUNICATION
COLLEGIALITY WITHIN STAFF
NURTURE THE DEVELOPMENT
PLAY BASED LEARNING
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND VALIDATION OF FEELINGS
CHOICE BASED AND OPEN-ENDED ACTIVITIES
ENCOURAGEMENT VS. PRAISE
RESPONSIBLE
SELF-MANAGEMENT & EMOTIONAL REGULATION
SELF-MANAGEMENT & COGNITIVE REGULATION
RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKING
INDEPENDENT
SELF-AWARENESS & IDENTITY
AGENCY
PERSEVERANCE
RESILIENCE
CREATIVE
SELF-EXPRESSION
CREATIVE THINKING
THOUGHTFUL
SOCIAL AWARENESS & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
SOCIAL SKILLS
Citizens
PUBLIC SPIRIT & CITIZENSHIP
ALTRUISM
Children's brains are hard-wired to want to help. This intrinsic desire is a precursor to larger ideas like empathy and philanthropy. We help foster not only social-responsibility but many aspects of learning through service-learning projects. Children are encouraged to engage with their community and world with intention and purpose.
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3855 Happy Valley Rd. Lafayette, CA 94549
Lic. #073401984 Tax ID: 68-0430189 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 7:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Phone: (925) 283-7100 | Fax: (925) 283-7104 Email: officestaff@huskyhouseforkids.org Our space is a nut-free facility |
Children Growing Together
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