- On April 24, 2017
- In Education
Where a Solid Foundation for Success Begins
Every day parents and teachers are doing the best that they can to ensure that our young children have access to quality early education. That is why the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrates “The Week of the Young Child” every year - to congratulate & emphasize the hard work done by families and educators all year round. Their joint efforts make NAEYC’s “collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential,” possible. As a Preschool, IBA believes and agrees how important this is, so we’re inviting current parents as well as interested parents to participate in guided activities proven to aid in early development during our Preschool Open House this Thursday, April 27th. By incorporating our unique multicultural perspective into each exercise - based on the Boston Basics Initiative's 5 Proven Principles - parents will get a preview of how our bilingual curriculum and diverse environment teaches children inclusion, adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, independence, and more. Here’s a sneak peek of what parents can expect from the activities:
- “Maximizing Love, Managing Stress” or “Dale Todo el Amor, Controla el Estrés,” where students will draw with parents to show their love for eachother.
- “Reading and Discussing Stories” or “Lean y Comenten Cuentos,” where parents will read with their child, asking questions throughout the activity.
- “Talking, Singing, and Pointing,” or “Hable Cántale, y Señálale las Cosas” where teachers have labeled objects around the classroom with “Come and play with me;” inviting parents and children to discover together.
- “Counting, Grouping, and Comparing Things” or “Cuenta, Agrupa, y Compárale las Cosas,” where parent and child will explore our Preschool together, becoming familiar with the environment while practicing early math skills.
- “Exploring through Movement and Play” or “Exploren Mediante El Movimiento y el Juego,” where we will engage families through music - learning about and playing instruments together.
- Children thrive in an environment that feels “loving, safe, and predictable.” More specifically, drawing and talking about your emotions helps you and your child relieve stress, aids in language development, and cultivates cognitive and motor skills.
- Reading with your child not only allows you to spend quality time together, but it also encourages them to use their imagination while also exposing them to new ideas. For ideas of books to read with your child, click here.
- Children begin learning language from the second they’re born; that’s why our blog, “When Should My Child Start Learning a Second Language?” explains that it’s never too early for children to start learning a second - or multiple - languages. In fact, according to some of our parents, a bilingual education is “the best gift we can give our children.” (Janayra Santiago, Preschool Mom)
- Children start recognizing and learning math long before they’re in a classroom. In fact, “Even infants are wired to learn simple math ideas, including small numbers, patterns, and making comparisons.”
- Encouraging curiosity in children improves their self-esteem, problem-solving skills, and more. And don’t forget the added health benefits of keeping kids active.