A Comprehensive Guide to Flight Early Learning Curriculum and Its Approach

Families across Canada want early learning programs that go beyond worksheets and focus on real, meaningful development. One of the most trusted frameworks—especially in Alberta—is the FLIGHT Early Learning and Care Curriculum, a modern approach that highlights children’s rights, relationships, play, and potential.

At Nurturing Childcare, we apply the principles of FLIGHT to create a warm, responsive, and developmentally rich environment where children learn through play, inquiry, and curiosity. This guide explains how the FLIGHT curriculum works and why it is transforming early childhood education in Canada.

What Is the FLIGHT Early Learning Curriculum?

FLIGHT stands for Framework for Learning and Inspiring Growth through Holistic Thinking. It is Alberta’s official early learning curriculum, designed to support children from birth to age five.

Unlike traditional, academic-focused curriculum models, FLIGHT emphasizes whole-child development, meaningful relationships, and learning through exploration.

Core foundations of FLIGHT include:
• Children are capable, strong, and full of potential
• Learning happens through play and inquiry
• Relationships shape development
• Care and education are interconnected
• Environments influence how children learn
• Families and communities are essential partners

Key Components of the FLIGHT Curriculum

FLIGHT has four main pillars, each contributing to a child’s overall growth:

1. Well-Being and Belonging Children must feel safe, loved, and included. Educators build secure relationships, support emotional well-being, and create a sense of community.
2. Play and Playfulness Play is central to learning. Through open-ended materials and imaginative activities, children: • Experiment • Question • Discover • Develop early literacy and math concepts

3. Communication and Literacies
   Children express themselves in many ways—language, movement, drawing, storytelling, and digital media. FLIGHT respects these diverse forms of communication.

4. Diversity and Citizenship
   Children learn about themselves, their families, their cultures, and their communities. This fosters empathy, social understanding, and confidence.
   How FLIGHT Supports Early Learning and Development

5. Builds Foundational Skills Naturally
   Instead of forcing structured lessons, FLIGHT integrates developmental skills into meaningful experiences. Children gain:
   • Early problem-solving
   • Emotional regulation
   • Social cooperation
   • Creative thinking
   • Language and vocabulary
   • Math and science awareness

6. Encourages Independence and Confidence
   Children are active participants in their own learning. They choose materials, initiate play, and share ideas — building autonomy.

7. Strengthens Relationships
   FLIGHT emphasizes warm, respectful, and reciprocal relationships. Educators observe, listen, respond, and extend children’s ideas.

8. Supports All Learning Styles
   Every child is unique. FLIGHT recognizes auditory, visual, kinaesthetic, social, and imaginative learning pathways.

9. Aligns with Canadian Early Childhood Standards
   The curriculum supports quality care, school readiness, and holistic development — all aligned with Canadian early-learning expectations.
   How Nurturing Childcare Implements the FLIGHT Curriculum
   At Nurturing Childcare, our educators follow a structured, intentional process to apply FLIGHT in daily routines.

10. Observation
    Educators observe children’s:
    • Interests
    • Play patterns
    • Social interactions
    • Emotional needs
    • Learning behaviours
    This guides planning and supports deep understanding of each child.

11. Documentation
    We capture learning moments through:
    • Photos
    • Written notes
    • Artwork displays
    • Learning stories
    Parents receive ongoing updates about their child’s progress.

12. Planning Based on Children’s Interests
    Activities are designed from real experiences and curiosities, such as:
    • Nature exploration
    • Building projects
    • Water and sensory play
    • Music, movement, and drama
    • Storytelling and small-world play

13. Creating Meaningful Environments
    Our classrooms include open-ended materials that provoke creativity and wonder:
    • Loose parts
    • Natural materials
    • Art supplies
    • Dramatic play setups
    • Science and discovery tables

14. Continuous Reflection
    Educators reflect on:
    • What children learned
    • How they interacted
    • Which skills developed
    • Ways to extend the learning
    Reflection ensures ongoing improvement in the learning process.

Benefits of the FLIGHT Early Learning Curriculum
✔ Promotes Emotional Well-Being
Children feel safe, respected, and valued.
✔ Enhances Social Skills
Children learn cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving.
✔ Encourages Creativity
With open-ended play, children explore ideas freely.
✔ Builds Strong Cognitive Foundations
Early literacy, numeracy, and scientific thinking happen through exploration.
✔ Supports Cultural Awareness
Children connect with family, community, and cultural diversity.
✔ Eases Transition to Kindergarten
FLIGHT prepares children for classroom routines, communication, and independent learning.
Common Misconceptions About FLIGHT

1. “It is too unstructured.” In reality, educators plan intentionally and follow a detailed framework.
2. “Children won’t learn academics.” Literacy and math concepts are naturally embedded in play.
3. “It’s only for certain types of learners.” FLIGHT adapts to all developmental needs.
4. “Parents can’t track progress.”

Documentation and communication are key components of the approach.
Why Choose Nurturing Childcare for FLIGHT-Based Learning?
Nurturing Childcare stands out by blending expertise, care, and a deep commitment to early childhood excellence.

Parents trust us because:
• Highly trained early childhood educators
• Safe, nurturing, and emotionally supportive environment
• Daily documentation and parent communication
• Classrooms designed for creativity and exploration
• Balance of guided learning and child-led play
• Incorporation of FLIGHT principles in every learning area
• Strong focus on inclusiveness and community
Your child receives personalized attention and exceptional quality care rooted in research-backed early learning standards.
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is FLIGHT suitable for toddlers and preschoolers? Yes. The framework supports children from birth to five with adaptable principles.
2. How do teachers measure learning without worksheets? Through observation, documentation, learning stories, and developmental indicators aligned with early-learning standards.
3. Does this curriculum prepare children for kindergarten? Absolutely. It strengthens communication, social skills, independence, and foundational academic readiness.
4. Is FLIGHT the same as emergent curriculum? They share similarities, but FLIGHT is a structured provincial framework rooted in play, relationships, and holistic development.
5. How involved can parents be? Parents are essential partners. We encourage communication, sharing insights, and participating in learning experiences.

Final Thoughts

The FLIGHT Early Learning Curriculum empowers children to grow with curiosity, confidence, and creativity. It recognizes that every child is capable and full of potential.

At Nurturing Childcare, we proudly implement this framework to ensure Canadian families receive outstanding early learning experiences that inspire lifelong success.

Give your child a meaningful, play-based start with FLIGHT curriculum learning.
Schedule a visit to Nurturing Childcare today and explore how our program supports holistic development.