development

Teaching Children through the Lightbridge Academy Core Values

smccue — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 20:38:15 +0000

Teaching Children through the Lightbridge Academy Core Values

smccue Thu, 06/01/2023 - 16:38

Our core values serve as the foundation of our approach to education. We believe in nurturing and developing meaningful relationships with every member of our Lightbridge Academy family. Our core values spell out the word "CHILDREN," reminding us that children are at the heart of everything we do. Here are how our core values guide our teaching philosophy and create an enriching environment for your child's development!

C - Care Deeply: We genuinely care about each child, their unique needs, and their individual journey. Our teachers strive to form deep connections with their students, fostering a sense of trust and security. By understanding and valuing each child's strengths and challenges, we create a nurturing environment where they can thrive.

H - Happiness: We believe that learning should be a joyful experience for children. We create a positive and inclusive atmosphere where children feel happy, comfortable, and excited to explore. Through engaging activities, creative expression, and playful interactions, we strive to cultivate a love for learning and create happy memories that last a lifetime.

I - Integrity: Integrity is at the core of our teaching philosophy. We emphasize the importance of honesty, respect, and ethical behavior in all relationships. Our teachers model these values and encourage children to do the same. By fostering a culture of integrity, we empower children to develop strong moral compasses and make responsible choices.

L - Lead by Example: As educators, we understand the power of leading by example. Our teachers serve as role models, setting the bar high for both academic and character development. We demonstrate kindness, empathy, and perseverance, inspiring children to follow suit. By showcasing positive behaviors and attitudes, we help children develop strong foundations for their own growth.

D - Deliver: We are committed to delivering exceptional customer service to our families. We strive to exceed expectations, consistently going the extra mile to create a supportive and enriching experience. We listen attentively to parents' concerns, communicate openly, and provide timely feedback. By delivering exceptional service, we foster a strong partnership between home and school.

R - Relationships & Recognition: Building meaningful relationships is a cornerstone of our teaching approach. We value open communication and collaboration with parents, recognizing that their involvement is vital to a child's success. We celebrate accomplishments, both big and small, and acknowledge each child's unique strengths and achievements. By fostering strong relationships and providing recognition, we create a sense of belonging and boost children's self-confidence.

E - Excellence: We have a passion for excellence in education. Our commitment to continuous improvement drives us to never settle for "good enough." We embrace change, seek out the latest research-based practices, and incorporate innovative teaching methods. By constantly challenging ourselves and raising the bar, we provide an exceptional educational experience that prepares children for lifelong success.

N - Nurture: Nurturing is at the heart of everything we do. We create a supportive and positive environment where children feel valued, cared for, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Our teachers foster a love for learning, provide individualized attention, and nurture children's social-emotional development. By nurturing the whole child, we lay a solid foundation for their future growth.

Our teaching approach is deeply rooted in our core values. By caring deeply, creating happiness, embracing integrity, leading by example, delivering exceptional service, building relationships, striving for excellence, and nurturing each child, we create an educational environment that is nurturing, inclusive, and dedicated to your child's growth. When you join our Lightbridge Academy family, and let us inspire and guide your child on their educational journey, together, we will foster a love for learning and empower them to reach their full potential!

Physical Activity is Just as Important as Learning through Play

lba-admin — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 14:57:18 +0000

Physical Activity is Just as Important as Learning through Play

lba-admin Fri, 03/29/2019 - 10:57

No one can deny the importance of learning, but physical activity is also a major aspect of a child's growth and development. Children need space to move and physical activity is not limited to children who can walk. We are always looking for ways to get them moving, and to move in ways to develop.

It can be tough to encourage physical activity when playing on screen devices can be so much more tempting, but creating time to address body movement is crucial for healthy development. It's our society and technology that is causing children to limit their movement. There are very few children who naturally aren't very physically active. What we want to be careful about is to balance the screen time and limit what's appropriate with getting kids outside and moving. It is important to limit and utilize screen time in ways that are beneficial to children, but to minimize it in a way that they are movers.

Also, we need to stay sensitive to children who are not necessarily innate athletes. Some kids, for example, might be more introspective and inclined to activities such as the arts. It's not good or bad to be one or the other - but we want all children to be healthy, safe and develop good eating skills and good movement skills that are going to benefit them through life.

Activities as simple as going for a walk or to the local park or even just one’s backyard can be hugely beneficial. While there are fun things we can do inside - we need to set a good example for them. Role modeling is the greatest form of teaching. If we're inside all of the time and not running, walking, going outside, playing sports, etc. then our children will develop those same habits.

Safety will understandably be a concern for parents as their kids romp around, but parents would do well to remember that the possibility of getting hurt comes with the territory.

We need to recognize that childhood comes with bumps and bruises and we need to balance safety with the ability for children to challenge themselves in a physical way.

Parents must be vigilant about making sure that physical-related activities such as gym class and recess remain a valued part of children's school curriculum, and while organized sports are also valuable, they often have a long waitlist. Plus, organized sports shouldn’t be seen as the only opportunity for physical activity.

When you usually ask parents what the best memories are with your kids, it's not going to be the movies you watched or a fancy vacation, it's usually the ones that are tied to motion - walking to grab ice cream together, going on a bike ride to the park or playing together on a playground.

Start Curious, Stay Curious

lba-admin — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 15:42:18 +0000

Start Curious, Stay Curious

lba-admin Wed, 09/04/2013 - 11:42

Helping our kids become lifelong learners

The questions children come up with can seem endless, and hard to answer while we're juggling a grocery list or looking for the car keys. But take heart, this natural curiosity plays a pivotal role in their mental and intellectual development. Every answer you provide enriches their world with new layers of knowledge.

By encouraging inquisitiveness, we help children become confident explorers, which is the key to lifelong learning. Here are a few great tips to keep in mind as your child navigates more of the world around them.

Encourage them, not only to ask questions, but to find their own answers. When they ask "Why can't I wear my bathing suit to school?" say "You tell me," and watch their minds fill with (often funny) reasons you hadn't even thought of yourself.
Use games to spark curiosity. Children are naturally inquisitive about their belongings, so using age-appropriate educational toys that require some problem solving shows them they can find solutions if they keep trying.
Set rigid rules when necessary, such as never touching a hot stove, but let them make mistakes as a way of learning lessons and trying alternative approaches. Allow your toddler to feed himself yogurt with a spoon. Sure it will be messy at first, but that hand-eye coordination is just what he'll need when forks come into play.
Bright minds get bored with monotony, so use opportunities that surround you - a change in the seasons or weather, flowers blooming outside your door, a plane flying overhead - to spark conversations about every thing from geography to meteorology. With the Internet supplying answers if we're stumped, you'll be learning right along with them.
Finally, be a family of explorers, not couch potatoes. From museums to hiking trails to local farms, keep your brain and body active for a lifetime of learning and growing - together.

In all aspects of life, from work to relationships to the personal challenges we all encounter, it helps to be a seeker of knowledge, information, and smart answers. Fostering this natural curiosity in children will help them be courageous in the face of a challenge, knowing they can solve it with poise.