Gifts and Gatherings Celebrates Early Learners Around the District

January 11, 2023

A program that allows families and their littlest learners the chance to develop positive connections to the school system is providing new opportunities for families in Langley.  

 The District offers a unique program called Gifts and Gathering, which embraces the idea that “each child is a gift” while also celebrating an interconnectedness with nature. It is part of the Ministry of Education’s Ready, Set, Learn program, which is aimed at pre-Kindergarten learners. 

Gifts and Gatherings is available at 11 schools across the District, with four sessions planned for each of those schools throughout the school year. Sessions run from 1-2 p.m. Space is limited and filled on a first come, first-served basis. 

“The activities with Gifts and Gatherings are building on the inter-relationships of Mother Earth, and animals and humans, and how we share the same space, how we’re all interconnected,” said Sam Collie, program facilitator.  

It is aimed to give youngsters up to five years of age a leg up by preparing them for Kindergarten in a comfortable learning environment that also includes a parent or guardian.  

“Gifts and Gatherings is set up so that there’s an opportunity for families to meet school district staff and to build a relationship when they’re young,” Collie said. “We have an opportunity to build on skill sets that they can practise at home and strengthen, and then have those skills that they use in the classroom setting. 

“I believe Gifts and Gatherings really gives families an opportunity to gather around and embrace their child in a school-like setting.” 

Through games, stories and other activities, participants learn a variety of skills, Collie said. 

“At Gifts and Gatherings, we really embrace literacy in many aspects, whether it’s through play, whether it’s through stories, whether it’s through song, and it’s something that can be taken anywhere,” she said.  

“You will see gross motor activities during our story time, you’ll see art activities where children will have the opportunity to use their fine motor skills. There’ll be some concepts that are in there that have an Indigenous world view, in addition to other activities such as numeracy, colours, matching patterns and so much more.” 

To learn more, click here. 

Please see below for times and locations.

Sessions are designed as Drop-In Sessions and open to all families.  Spaces are limited and filled on a first come first-served basis and run from 1:00pm-2:00pm for all sessions. If you have any questions about the schedule, please contact Early Childhood Educator Sam Collie, scollie@sd35.bc.ca.