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A Magical Garden
A New Approach to Learning By Gwen Morrison
A Magical Garden opened its doors in September of 2002. Offering a uniquely different approach to learning, this suburban Boca Raton Mommy and Me Center introduces foreign languages to children as young as 6 months old through music, crafts and lessons.
"The concept came from my knowledge of other languages and traveling abroad as a child, seeing a world far removed from the United States," says Marisa Poliafito-Ungerman, founder and owner of A Magical Garden. "Foreign language makes a more socially conscious individual and a more rounded and culturally tolerant person."
According to Poliafito-Ungerman, there are a myriad of studies that attest to the fact that children who are exposed to other languages early in life have stronger thinking skills, test better and can logically assess what is presented to them.
The play and learning area is designed to emulate a garden that a child might see in the Land of Oz, complete with a replica of the Emerald City and Toto. "Children learn best in a setting where it's not just a classroom," says Poliafito-Ungerman. "Your brain is just like a sponge at this age."
A Magical Garden, which is targeted to children up to 4 years old, boasts a blue lake sand box, a fun-filled adventure tree and countless other stimulating toys for play and learning. The inspiration for the garden idea for the center came from Poliafito-Ungerman's own experience with her oldest child who was not able to be outdoors when she was a child. "In my heart I envisioned a garden for her to play and be safe in," she says.