Kindergarten Readiness 90% of parents cited academic preparedness as being the most important factor in their child’s quality childcare. They want to ensure that their children are prepared to meet or exceed academic expectations and possess the ability to apply their skills in reading, writing and math.

Teachers believe that children should enter Kindergarten with an ability to understand broader language and math concepts, as well as to be prepared for the social and emotional aspects of school. In fact, most teachers indicate they believe that social and emotional preparedness are the most important lessons of a child’s preschool experience in order for them to be ready for academic success in Kindergarten.

  • Teachers agree that the most important indicators of a child’s social and emotional readiness for kindergarten are readiness to accept new responsibilities and independence; excitement for learning; an ability to make new friends; and showing respect towards others.
  • Most teachers believe a child’s daycare experience plays a critical role in the child’s preparedness for school.

There’s no reason for parents to be worried about school readiness. Children who come from homes where parents or siblings read, spend engaged time with their children, value literacy, and/or have some social interactions with other children in child care, playdates or groups, or preschool are usually well prepared for kindergarten.

But there are some common myths of which to be aware.

  • Myth #1 – Learning the ABC’s is crucial to school readiness.
    The Truth: While this is important, reciting the ABC’s is really about memorization. It’s more important that children recognize letters and identify their sounds to prepare for school.
  • Myth #2 – Children need to count to 50 before going to kindergarten.
    The Truth: Again while it is important that children understand the order of numbers, when it comes to school readiness, it is far more important to understand the idea of 1-to-1 correspondence (each number counted corresponds to an object, person, etc.) and understanding quantity.
  • Myth #3 – The more teacher-directed the learning, the better.
    The Truth: Children understand concepts more fully when they are engaged in exploration and learning versus being told by a teacher. Teachers should be there to help guide learning.
  • Myth #4 – The more a childcare program looks like the school we remember as a child the more children will learn.
    The Truth: Young child learn best in an environment that allows them to make choices; to select their own materials for at least part of the day; and empowers them to try new things with a teacher who guides the learning.
  • Myth #5 – Children need quiet to learn.
    The Truth: Children need a language-rich environment where adults provide responsive language interactions and where vocabulary is regularly introduced.
  • Myth #6 – Learning to write is all about letter formation.
    The Truth: While letter formation is one part, even more important is understanding the idea of recording one’s ideas on paper. When a child makes some scribbles and says “This is my daddy,” write your child’s words on the picture and she will begin to make connections between spoken and written words.

Learning some “school skills” like lining up and raising hands before transitioning to school will certainly help make the transition to formal schooling easier; however, the best way to prepare your kids to enter school is giving them the chance to fully explore and experiment in an environment with caring adults who guide, support, and extend their learning.

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Handling Classroom TransitionsAs young children transition to the next classroom at Premier Academy there can be some anxiety for both the child and the parents. Separation anxiety is a normal reaction. Leaving the familiar faces of teachers and entering into a new environment can be difficult for anyone.

Sometimes the pain of separation seems to hurt us more than our children. Most children quickly adapt to a new classroom, especially if it is in the same quality daycare with familiar friends.

Here are some tips to help transitions and separations:

  • Know your child, and realize that each child’s response is different.
    We all want our children to take to their quality childcare caregivers with eager enthusiasm, but children’s responses to transition and separation depend upon their age, temperament, and experience.
  • Be positive.
    Our children have amazing intuitive skills. They sense our anxiety and hesitation. As the first day for transition draws near, begin talking to your child about what to expect and about any concerns or fears they might have. Present Premier Academyas a place where he’ll learn new things and make friends.
  • Establish a drop-off ritual.
    Developing a quick, simple way to say “good-bye” and reassuring our children that we will return will help separation go more smoothly. Sneaking out creates a sense of mistrust.
  • Tune-in to your child’s behavior.
    During times of change, our children may have behavior regressions, delayed reactions or even outbursts at pick-up time. It’s all normal. We can reassure them with positive comments, physical affection, and love.
  • Make a connection between home and school.
    Little things from home may make our children feel more comfortable: a blanket, a stuffed animal, or for infants, a scarf with mommy’s smell. Photographs also help. Try laminating a favorite picture or compile a little photo album.
  • Contact Premier Academy to see how the day is going.
    If our children are upset when we leave them, we can feel uneasy or guilty. Just knowing they are okay can help us settle down and have a good day.

Adapting to transition and overcoming separation anxiety may take time for some of us, both young and old. Transition times are learning times for our children and parents. Remember that becoming comfortable in a new classroom is an ongoing process, not just a single event. We are committed to being the best daycare and making sure all of our children and parents feel comfortable during drop-off and pick-up. Your children learn through consistent experience that each goodbye, as hard as it may be, is followed by your happy return.

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Building Healthy Parent-Teacher RelationshipsTeachers are often surprised to find out that parents in professional careers can be insecure or uncomfortable when it comes to talking about their child. Even parents with post-graduate education in child development often have feelings of anxiety and insecurity when communicating with teachers about their own children. So how can parents develop a positive parent-teacher relationship in order to work together for the success of your child? Here at Premier Academy it is our goal to make sure each and every parent feels comfortable communicating with our teachers and management.  This is the very definition of providing you quality childcare.

Tips to Build Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships

  • Accept that there is no right way to raise children. Children are complicated, and sharing love and responsibility for the same human being can be difficult.
  • Relax and don’t “sweat the small stuff.” Many of the small issues are far less important than the big issue: a positive relationship between the family andPremier Academy daycare.
  • Realize that some good teachers relate well to children and feel less confident communicating with parents and adults.
  • Build a relationship with your child’s teacher by introducing yourself, participating in the classroom if you have time (or showing your support any way you can), and initiating regular contact.
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to have a parent-teacher conference. Give some thought to what you want to discuss with your child’s teacher. If you want to discuss specific information, let the teacher know ahead of time so that he or she can be prepared.
  • Understand that we often worry about what our children learn while many teachers are more concerned with how they learn. We may tend to focus on the products of our children’s work, while these good teachers often focus on the process of how the children learn.
  • Practice good parent-teacher communication by addressing any important issues or concerns as they arise. Good teachers at quality daycare want to know what we are thinking and feeling, and waiting can make the situation worse.
  • Respect teachers by not confronting them in front of the children. Set up a mutually convenient time to talk.
  • Control your annoyance or anger. Sometimes, we get angry before we really know the facts about what is happening. Assume the teacher’s goodwill and shared interest in the child’s success.
  • Always try to show teacher appreciation for the efforts of your child’s teacher. We probably wouldn’t last long caring for eight to ten toddlers or twenty to thirty second graders (or pleasing families with different cultures, backgrounds, and views who are all passionately concerned about their child’s experience).

Remember, Premier Academy welcomes healthy parent-teacher communication because it gives us a better understanding of our students. Parents have the right to expect updates from their children’s teachers and timely notification of academic issues or other problems. Good communication is the key to a successful parent-teacher relationship. Parents and teachers share responsibility for the education and socialization of children. We can help to prevent and resolve the differences that may arise by using constructive communication, respect, grace, and a good sense of humor.

With the child as the motivation for positive parent-teacher conversations, “dialogues develop out of a growing trust, a mutuality of concern, an appreciation of contrasting perspectives, and a deep empathy,” explains sociologist Sara Lawrence Lightfoot.

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