Posts Tagged ‘Enrichment programs’

Making a Difference in Your Community

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Commitment to family and community is characteristic of Goddard Schools.  We make a difference in our communities by participating in local sponsorship as well as charitable outreach programs.  The children in our schools learn about the importance of helping others and the significance of giving and being a part of their communities.

To build a foundation of good citizenship with your children, foster the essential skills of friendship, compassion, cooperation and kindness. Lead by example and teach your children the significance of helping others. Although there may be some limitations, children of almost every age can give back by participating in their communities every day:

  • Teach children to love and respect nature – plants, animals and even insects. It’s okay to catch crickets, butterflies and tadpoles as long as they are set free after a reasonable observation time.
  • Respect the property of others.  Be a good role model and remember to clean up after the family dog in your neighbor’s yard.
  • Protect the planet and encourage your children to recycle.
  • Your local library can be a great resource for community information. Ask the librarian if they have a list of community events and service organizations that are child friendly and in need of volunteers.

Look for ways to give back to your community that can empower your children.  Let them learn to create change in their own lives and the lives of others.

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Do our children really have to be on the “fast track” of learning so early on?

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

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These days, many parents worry that it’s essential to teach children academics as early as possible – that the earlier they learn basic skills, the better chance they’ll have of eventually getting into a good college and succeeding in life. But could that be doing children more harm than good?

The natural way to learn is through play.  ”Play is to early childhood as gas is to a car,” says Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, psychologist and author of A Mandate for Playful Learning. “Children who learn through play develop social and emotional skills, which are critical for long-term success.”  The most effective play is free of evaluation and correction (after all, throwing a ball shouldn’t be “right” or “wrong”), while promoting autonomy.

A child at play is exploring infinite possibilities, and learning all the while. That’s why it’s important to find a preschool with the right emphasis on play.

  • Find a school that puts a priority on learning through play. For young children, play is unstructured and freeing. It’s not about expensive toys, in fact, the simpler the toy, the more ways it can be used by a child developing his or her imagination. Toys and equipment should be carefully chosen, first for safety and then for how they stimulate young imaginations and help children develop.
  • Look at the total school environment. The right environment will be clean and safe, with spacious places to play, as well as the resources to provide imaginative, rewarding playtime. Look for a caring and well-trained staff, a critical element for any preschool. How children are treated is as critical to their development as what they are taught.
  • Ask about enrichment programs. Look for a preschool that offers a wide variety of engaging programs, for example, yoga, manners and world cultures.  These programs develop the whole child by encouraging their innate curiosity and imagination.  Be sure to ask if these programs are included in the tuition.

For a child, play isn’t optional. The educational and other benefits of play are so important – in terms of healthy bodies and minds – that parents should put play at the top of their list when thinking of their young one’s development.

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