Enriched Curriculum
The CEFA educational method provides students with world-class early learning and the opportunity to develop and play along with other children of the same age and intellectual level. We offer programs for infants and children up to five years old.
Our proprietary, world-class curriculum was created by studying international best practices and incorporates the latest research in behavioural and developmental sciences and psychology. Our contemporary blend of core subjects (such as reading and math) and fine arts (such as drama and yoga) provides children with the freedom to develop and grow through experimental learning and play.
Take a look at a sample daily schedule from our Langley Walnut Grove school.
Enriched Curriculum
The 
educational method provides students with world-class early learning and the opportunity to develop and play along with other children of the same age and intellectual level. We offer programs for infants and children up to five years old.
Our proprietary, world-class curriculum was created by studying international best practices and incorporates the latest research in behavioural and developmental sciences and psychology. Our contemporary blend of core subjects (such as reading and math) and fine arts (such as drama and yoga) provides children with the freedom to develop and grow through experimental learning and play.
Take a look at a sample daily schedule from our Coquitlam school.
Literacy Program
The early learning of languages is known to stimulate children’s cognitive capability and improve their ability to process information, including memory, speech and sensory perception.
Research shows that children who learn more than one language have advanced reading skills, are more socially aware, and have better vocabulary in their native language.
The CEFA Language Program introduces students to basic vocabulary through songs, props and specialized CEFA games.
Reading Program
The CEFA Early Education Reading program was designed to teach children to read, not only phonetically, but also by developing the seven essential components of reading.
Our program provides students with the tools to build upon their vocabulary and literacy skills. Teachers follow the progress of each child, and each year, parents are invited to learn the CEFA letter-by-letter method: a simple, playful and effective way to teach your child to read at home.
Literacy is strongly encouraged at CEFA, as it is one of the most important skills a child requires to be successful at school, and in life. Research shows that learning to read at a young age is excellent for brain development and lifelong academic success.
Writing Program
Our exclusive writing program at CEFA was created to promote child development in the early years.
It introduces students to essential pre-writing and fine motor exercises that train hand muscles to write, develops hand-eye coordination, and familiarizes children with lines, curves, letters and words. Writing is introduced every day with a combination of fine motor, games and activities, sensory experiences, drawing, and one-to-one writing.
Dance Program
The CEFA Dance curriculum develops emotional and physical sensitivity in each child. Our CEFA trained dance teachers work with students to interpret music with their bodies, recognize rhythms and appreciate different styles of dance.
Each dance style is accompanied by a different music genre such as Classical, Bossa Nova, or African. This exciting and highly expressive program ignites, in many children, a passion for the performing arts.
Visual Arts
Visual arts enables our students to explore colours, textures, materials, and other interesting, tactical items. Children are exposed to art history, learning about famous artists and artistic styles. They explore three-dimensional art, natural life art, light table work and many other exciting techniques.
The process of exploring and nurturing creativity helps to provide a new language of expression. Art experiences are presented daily in the classroom, with CEFA trained art teachers working with children on a weekly basis.
Music Program
Learning and playing music at a young age significantly influences early childhood development including verbal communication, problem solving, and sensory awareness. CEFA’s Music Program is taught with a wide variety of musical instruments that assist children in learning how to creatively interpret the fundamentals of music such as notes, tempos and musical appreciation.
The CEFA music curriculum proudly incorporates the award winning program Fun with Composers series, which helps develop an appreciation for classical music. Through the integration of children’s literature, storytelling, drama, creative movement, song and instrumental play, classical music is taken from its sophisticated, mysterious realm to one that is completely child-centered and fascinating. Musical concepts and skills are creatively woven into the lessons so the focus remains on imaginative fun.
Dramatic Arts Program
Our Dramatic Arts Program CEFA develops creativity, imagination and teamwork in students, and provides an avenue to help children express their feelings using the language of acting.
Each classroom has a dramatic play area which is changed according to the students’ projects and ideas. A CEFA trained drama teacher work with students weekly, nurturing their skills.
Students are involved in the entire process – from set-design to set-up to ideation – allowing them to walk on the moon, board a plane, visit the North Pole and create their very own igloo!
Creative Play
It is common knowledge that children learn through play. This is why our schools present every component of our academic curriculum in the form of games, fun projects, and engaging activities. In addition, CEFA Early Learning ensures that children have time to explore the classroom at their own pace while interacting with others and the classroom environment in their own creative way.
By choosing how to play, who to play with, and what to play, children further develop their creativity. At the same time, unstructured play gives children the opportunity to engage with others, and learn how to socialize in the process. For many children, school is the first time they experience interacting with other students while learning to understand that others have needs that are different then their own. With creative play, children develop their social skills and their emotional intelligence.
Culture Immersion & Citizenship
Early culture education is in the CEFA curriculum mainly to foster inclusion between children. It provides an opportunity for our students to learn about people in other parts of the world, and be introduced to different cultures in a fun and exciting way.
Exploring cultural differences and similarities allows children to appreciate their own culture and that of others.
Yoga Program
The CEFA Yoga Program teaches students breathing techniques and yoga poses that enhance concentration, increase flexibility and balance, boosts confidence and relaxes the minds.
These crucial skills have been shown to effectively increase self-control, self-confidence, self-respect, positive communication and listening skills. Children learn to appreciate themselves and their peers, and show increased empathy and compassion for others.
P.E. Program
Our Physical Education Program is designed to develop muscles and gross motor skills, through games and outdoor play experiences.
Children get outdoors twice daily and engage in games and materials designed to further their physical development.
Students are also introduced to a variety of team sports, helping to develop cooperation, coordination and team-building skills.
Mindfulness Program
Mindfulness is the mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It is used as a therapeutic technique, and helps us focus on the present moment without worrying about the future or reliving the past.
Meditation and yoga, both practised at CEFA Early Learning, help our students focus on the present. We also take the time to help our students understand and describe their feelings as they are experiencing them, as well as encourage them to be mindful of the feelings of others that may be influenced by their actions and behaviours. Through daily and constant practice of mindfulness, CEFA students get a better understanding of their own feelings and needs, which greatly helps in their emotional development.
Mathematics
Introducing mathematics in early childhood education is proven to promote language and literacy skills. We place a great emphasis on helping students gain reasoning skills, and apply mathematical concepts introduced in a practical way.
Mathematics is not only a core subject but is incorporated into many other areas of our curriculum, including reading, music and science. CEFA’s Math Program teaches children to work with quantify numbers and understand the fundamentals of addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in upper level classes. These strong concepts taught in the Junior Kindergarten programs leave students well-equipped for entrance into elementary school.
Science Program
The CEFA Science Program introduces students to the scientific method where they are presented with questions, probabilities, hypothesis testing and how to draw conclusions.
Students are also exposed to natural science where they observe life through seed cycles, gardening, observation of insects, animals, and the human body. This program introduces the children to various subjects depending on interest and the season.
Our science curriculum is strongly guided by students and follows a project-based approach, nurturing creative thinking, leadership skills and reasoning abilities.
Coding Program
Coding is quickly becoming a fundamental literacy required for the 21st century, with school aged children learning computer science as part of their regular curriculum.
At CEFA Early Learning, children learn the basic skills of coding, such as sequencing, pattern recognition, and if/then conditional logic, which are introduced not only during coding time, but also during reading, mathematics, science, and other disciplines. Learning to code is also an incredibly fun, engaging and hands-on activity with many game-like components. It draws many non-traditional learners into the program, which in turn helps engage them in other, more traditional activities in the CEFA curriculum.
Technology Program
CEFA Early Learning schools are very careful not to use technology to replace tangible experiences in the classrooms. Instead of teaching math or writing through apps, we provide games children can use with all of their senses, and manipulate at will. The use of their hands, their senses, and the ability to hold and work with a real objects, plays a very important role in childhood development.
As an example, you can see on the computer the drawing of an apple, and the computer can explain what an apple is, but even the best drawing and the most thorough explanation does not compare to the learning experience of holding, smelling, tasting and describing a real apple. With this in mind, CEFA introduces learning through real life objects and opportunities. Technology can also serve as a valuable tool for documentation – children can make short videos or take photos of their learning experiences to help to re-live and re-explore, thus continuing the learning process.
Literacy Program
The early learning of languages is known to stimulate children’s cognitive capability and improve their ability to process information, including memory, speech and sensory perception.
Research shows that children who learn more than one language have advanced reading skills, are more socially aware, and have better vocabulary in their native language.
The CEFA Language Program introduces students to basic vocabulary through songs, props and specialized CEFA games.
Reading Program
The CEFA Early Education Reading program was designed to teach children to read, not only phonetically, but also by developing the seven essential components of reading.
Our program provides students with the tools to build upon their vocabulary and literacy skills. Teachers follow the progress of each child, and each year, parents are invited to learn the CEFA letter-by-letter method: a simple, playful and effective way to teach your child to read at home.
Literacy is strongly encouraged at CEFA, as it is one of the most important skills a child requires to be successful at school, and in life. Research shows that learning to read at a young age is excellent for brain development and lifelong academic success.
Writing Program
Our exclusive writing program at CEFA was created to promote child development in the early years.
It introduces students to essential pre-writing and fine motor exercises that train hand muscles to write, develops hand-eye coordination, and familiarizes children with lines, curves, letters and words. Writing is introduced every day with a combination of fine motor, games and activities, sensory experiences, drawing, and one-to-one writing.
Dance Program
The CEFA Dance curriculum develops emotional and physical sensitivity in each child. Our CEFA trained dance teachers work with students to interpret music with their bodies, recognize rhythms and appreciate different styles of dance.
Each dance style is accompanied by a different music genre such as Classical, Bossa Nova, or African. This exciting and highly expressive program ignites, in many children, a passion for the performing arts.
Music Program
Learning and playing music at a young age significantly influences early childhood development including verbal communication, problem solving, and sensory awareness. CEFA’s Music Program is taught with a wide variety of musical instruments that assist children in learning how to creatively interpret the fundamentals of music such as notes, tempos and musical appreciation.
The CEFA music curriculum proudly incorporates the award winning program Fun with Composers series, which helps develop an appreciation for classical music. Through the integration of children’s literature, storytelling, drama, creative movement, song and instrumental play, classical music is taken from its sophisticated, mysterious realm to one that is completely child-centered and fascinating. Musical concepts and skills are creatively woven into the lessons so the focus remains on imaginative fun.
Visual Arts
Visual arts enables our students to explore colours, textures, materials, and other interesting, tactical items. Children are exposed to art history, learning about famous artists and artistic styles. They explore three-dimensional art, natural life art, light table work and many other exciting techniques.
The process of exploring and nurturing creativity helps to provide a new language of expression. Art experiences are presented daily in the classroom, with CEFA trained art teachers working with children on a weekly basis.
Dramatic Arts Program
Our Dramatic Arts Program CEFA develops creativity, imagination and teamwork in students, and provides an avenue to help children express their feelings using the language of acting.
Each classroom has a dramatic play area which is changed according to the students’ projects and ideas. A CEFA trained drama teacher work with students weekly, nurturing their skills.
Students are involved in the entire process – from set-design to set-up to ideation – allowing them to walk on the moon, board a plane, visit the North Pole and create their very own igloo!
Creative Play
It is common knowledge that children learn through play. This is why our schools present every component of our academic curriculum in the form of games, fun projects, and engaging activities. In addition, CEFA Early Learning ensures that children have time to explore the classroom at their own pace while interacting with others and the classroom environment in their own creative way.
By choosing how to play, who to play with, and what to play, children further develop their creativity. At the same time, unstructured play gives children the opportunity to engage with others, and learn how to socialize in the process. For many children, school is the first time they experience interacting with other students while learning to understand that others have needs that are different then their own. With creative play, children develop their social skills and their emotional intelligence.
Culture Immersion & Citizenship
Early culture education is in the CEFA curriculum mainly to foster inclusion between children. It provides an opportunity for our students to learn about people in other parts of the world, and be introduced to different cultures in a fun and exciting way.
Exploring cultural differences and similarities allows children to appreciate their own culture and that of others.
Yoga Program
The CEFA Yoga Program teaches students breathing techniques and yoga poses that enhance concentration, increase flexibility and balance, boosts confidence and relaxes the minds.
These crucial skills have been shown to effectively increase self-control, self-confidence, self-respect, positive communication and listening skills. Children learn to appreciate themselves and their peers, and show increased empathy and compassion for others.
P.E. Program
Our Physical Education Program is designed to develop muscles and gross motor skills, through games and outdoor play experiences.
Children get outdoors twice daily and engage in games and materials designed to further their physical development.
Students are also introduced to a variety of team sports, helping to develop cooperation, coordination and team-building skills.
Mindfulness Program
Mindfulness is the mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It is used as a therapeutic technique, and helps us focus on the present moment without worrying about the future or reliving the past.
Meditation and yoga, both practised at CEFA Early Learning, help our students focus on the present. We also take the time to help our students understand and describe their feelings as they are experiencing them, as well as encourage them to be mindful of the feelings of others that may be influenced by their actions and behaviours. Through daily and constant practice of mindfulness, CEFA students get a better understanding of their own feelings and needs, which greatly helps in their emotional development.
Mathematics
Introducing mathematics in early childhood education is proven to promote language and literacy skills. We place a great emphasis on helping students gain reasoning skills, and apply mathematical concepts introduced in a practical way.
Mathematics is not only a core subject but is incorporated into many other areas of our curriculum, including reading, music and science. CEFA’s Math Program teaches children to work with quantify numbers and understand the fundamentals of addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in upper level classes. These strong concepts taught in the Junior Kindergarten programs leave students well-equipped for entrance into elementary school.
Science Program
The CEFA Science Program introduces students to the scientific method where they are presented with questions, probabilities, hypothesis testing and how to draw conclusions.
Students are also exposed to natural science where they observe life through seed cycles, gardening, observation of insects, animals, and the human body. This program introduces the children to various subjects depending on interest and the season.
Our science curriculum is strongly guided by students and follows a project-based approach, nurturing creative thinking, leadership skills and reasoning abilities.
Coding Program
Coding is quickly becoming a fundamental literacy required for the 21st century, with school aged children learning computer science as part of their regular curriculum.
At CEFA Early Learning, children learn the basic skills of coding, such as sequencing, pattern recognition, and if/then conditional logic, which are introduced not only during coding time, but also during reading, mathematics, science, and other disciplines. Learning to code is also an incredibly fun, engaging and hands-on activity with many game-like components. It draws many non-traditional learners into the program, which in turn helps engage them in other, more traditional activities in the CEFA curriculum.
Technology Program
CEFA Early Learning schools are very careful not to use technology to replace tangible experiences in the classrooms. Instead of teaching math or writing through apps, we provide games children can use with all of their senses, and manipulate at will. The use of their hands, their senses, and the ability to hold and work with a real objects, plays a very important role in childhood development.
As an example, you can see on the computer the drawing of an apple, and the computer can explain what an apple is, but even the best drawing and the most thorough explanation does not compare to the learning experience of holding, smelling, tasting and describing a real apple. With this in mind, CEFA introduces learning through real life objects and opportunities. Technology can also serve as a valuable tool for documentation – children can make short videos or take photos of their learning experiences to help to re-live and re-explore, thus continuing the learning process.
Our daughter Elise started as a student at CEFA when she was only 15 months old, and we absolutely love it! We have seen her flourish and grow leaps and bounds since she started. Her vocabulary has increased dramatically, and she is so much more inquisitive, and seems so mature compared to her friends!
We chose CEFA because they offer a curriculum program and not just play. Even though Elise has lots of play and exploration in her day, she also is learning to read, and to write, and she is loving the STEM curriculum.
The teachers are so warm, caring and welcoming, and really take a genuine interest in our daughter and our family. Daylene, the Principal, is always smiling and greeting students and parents in the morning – it’s such a great way to start the day!
Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks are provided by their in-house chef who creates nutritious delicious meals all prepared according to the Canadian food guide, so I have no worries about her nutrition and I especially love that I don’t need to prepare anything for the day – CEFA takes care of everything, which means I have more time to spend with my daughter. Plus, she enjoys the meals so much that I’ve even asked for some recipes to make at home.
I love that I never have to worry about what Elise wears in the morning as she wears a uniform. I drop her off at school with the confidence that she will have a wonderful day and I never need to worry about her wellbeing while at work. She loves school so much that she doesn’t want to come home when I go to pick her up at the end of the day. I couldn’t ask for anything more – CEFA definitely exceeds my expectations!
My child loves CEFA
Nagisa Hasegawa
Mother of Elise (JK1)