Is Your Child Prepared For Kindergarten?

lba-admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 19:19:10 +0000

lba-admin Wed, 11/09/2022 - 14:19

When most parents think about kindergarten readiness, they usually think about if their child has the academic skills they need to be successful. Academics are an important component, however, social-emotional development also needs to be included in order to excel in kindergarten. Here at Lightbridge Academy, all aspects of learning are targeted. When graduation time arrives, your child will have a considerable advantage being a Lightbridge Academy graduate!

As you may already know, we have partnered with LifeCubby Vine Assessments™ to help our teachers observe and assess all the developmental milestones your child achieves throughout their year using the Seedlings Early Childhood Education program. Some of the social skill milestones teachers will be focusing on are:

Listening Skills: Does your child actively listen when others are speaking?

Sharing: Is your child able to easily play and share with others?

Following Directions: Can your child follow one direction at a time?

Patience: Is your child able to wait their turn?

Collaboration: Can your child respect others’ opinions even if they are different from theirs?

In conjunction with social skills, teachers will also focus on academic skills such as:

Language and Literacy Skills

Recognizes two rhyming words (e.g., pan and man)
Can recognize their name in print and attempt to write it

Math Skills

Can count to 10
Able to classify items by size, color, pattern, or shape and is familiar with basic shapes

Gross and Fine Motor Skills

Can run, jump, hop (with one and two feet)
Able to bounce a ball and attempt to catch it

How have our graduates done so far? Children who were engaged and instructed with Lightbridge Academy’s Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum proved to be 92% proficient and possessed the skills, knowledge and attitude needed for future success in their elementary years!! This can make all the difference in your child’s self-esteem, desire to learn and setting the proper foundation for their elementary school years. Feel confident that Lightbridge Academy will help your child build their confidence and put them on a path to success.

For more about the Vine Assessments: https://www.lifecubby.com/vine-assessments/

Is Your Child Ready For Kindergarten?

lba-admin — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:02:31 +0000

Is Your Child Ready For Kindergarten?

lba-admin Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:02

This is the question that weighs on every preschool parent's mind in June!

Preschool curriculum has definitely changed over the years in order to prepare children for the rigors of Kindergarten. Standardized testing now begins in second and third grades, mandating that Kindergarten becomes more academic in nature. Many parents struggle to understand what their child is expected to "know" before they enter Kindergarten. However, there are other areas of development that are important to consider in order for children to easily transition into a larger student environment and be able to thrive academically. In particular, social and emotional development often has a major impact on a child's ability to succeed in Kindergarten. Your child's maturity, self-esteem, independence skills and understanding of how to positively interact in a group learning environment are important keys for their success.

Here are some important questions for any parent to consider. Is your child:
Able to play well in a group setting, such as while in child care?
Completely potty trained?
Able to tie their shoe or zipper their own jacket?
Able to sit, listen and follow direction?
Still taking long naps?

While many of these areas are emerging and may not be fully mastered, they can impact a child's ability to learn academically. Parents that are concerned about their child's developmental progress should always consult their pediatrician first to rule out anything that may be compounding their ability to progress.

However, the parents that struggle the most with these questions are often the ones with children that "just miss" or "just make" the cut-off date. They often ask "Does turning 5 years old mean that my child is automatically ready?" "Will my child feel overwhelmed in a larger class size?"

It is important to recognize the difference between a child's chronological age and his or her social and emotional development. It can make all the difference in their self-esteem, desire to learn and setting the proper foundation for their elementary school years. Considering all of these important developmental areas will help you to understand your child's readiness, build their confidence and put them on a path to success.