October 15, 2026

Early Years Learning at David Livingstone Community School

At David Livingstone Community School, we recognize that every child brings unique strengths, identities, experiences, and ways of learning into our school community. Supporting children's social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and cultural development is an important part of our shared responsibility as educators.

The early years are a time of tremendous growth, curiosity, and discovery. Through intentional teaching, meaningful relationships, and welcoming learning environments, we create opportunities for children to explore, wonder, investigate, create, and make connections to the world around them. Learning happens through play, storytelling, movement, relationships, cultural experiences, and hands-on exploration.

At David Livingstone, we believe that children learn best when they feel safe, valued, connected, and a strong sense of belonging. We honour the knowledge, identities, languages, cultures, and experiences that children and families bring to our community. Guided by Indigenous perspectives, we recognize the importance of relationships, connection to the land, learning from one another, and caring for ourselves, our community, and the world around us.

Every Child

• Is a unique learner with individual strengths, interests, identities, and ways of experiencing the world.

• Is a valued member of our community who deserves to feel safe, welcomed, respected, and included.

• Learns through relationships with peers, educators, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members.

• Deserves opportunities for whole-child development, including social, emotional, physical, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual well-being.

• Learns through active exploration, curiosity, creativity, play, and meaningful hands-on experiences.

• Brings valuable knowledge and experiences that enrich our classrooms and school community.

• Deserves learning environments that honour diversity, affirm identity, support different learning needs, and foster belonging.

• Is capable of growth, discovery, and success when provided with responsive teaching, encouragement, and appropriate support.

Learning Together at David Livingstone

Our approach to early years education reflects our commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child's development and engagement. We recognize that literacy and numeracy are foundational to learning and are strengthened when children have opportunities to explore ideas, communicate, problem-solve, collaborate, and make connections across subject areas.

We value experiential learning, child-initiated exploration, purposeful play, and intentional educator support. By responding to children's interests and developmental needs, educators can create opportunities for learning that are engaging, inclusive, and connected to children's lives.

At David Livingstone, learning extends beyond the classroom. Through outdoor exploration, land-based learning, storytelling, cultural teachings, creative expression, and connections with families and community, children develop an understanding of themselves, their relationships, and their responsibilities to others.

Our commitment is to create a school where every child is known, every identity is respected, every family is valued, and every learner has opportunities to thrive.

At David Livingstone Community School, we nurture belonging, honour identity, build relationships, and create the conditions for every child to learn, grow, and flourish.