Chaparral Christian Preschool and Kindergarten
Registration 2017-2018: Classes Offered Dear Parents:
Registration for the 2016-2017 school year begins Monday February 1st. We are proud to be offering four
different classes next year. The description details are below. If you register your child by the end of February,
returning families will receive a $30 dollar discount for next year’s registration. After February, all returning
families will have to the pay full registration amount. The registration form is at the very end of this packet.
If you are uncertain where to place your child next year, please schedule a time to talk to me or your child’s
teachers to discuss placement. Some important points to consider when registering:
• Your child will automatically be enrolled into T-Th if you choose 2 day, M-W-F if you choose 3 day and M-Th
for 4 day. You must have an important reason, like work schedule, to choose different days than this.
• Once you have chosen your days, changing those days must be in writing (email is fine) and you must have
written approval from the director before you can change days (i.e. switching from Tues/Thurs to M/W/F,
etc.) Sometimes, it will not be possible to change days.
• It is nearly impossible to add more or change days in fall once your child is enrolled. It is much easier to
take away days, so keep that in mind when registering.
• You can choose basic day (11:45am) or Club MED (1:30) dismissal times. You can change this at the beginning
of each month as well.
• Classes filled up very quickly this past year, do not hesitate to register.
• We have Quality First scholarships available to families that qualify and ACSTO scholarships available to
kindergarten students. Contact Nicole for more info.
• The returning family discount of $95 is only good when you register in February. After February, the
registration fee goes to $125. If your child is graduating on to a new school, I have attached some great information about what to look for
in a good kindergarten. I hope you will find this information useful as your child enters his/her next stage as a
student. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions about your child’s next step.
Sincerely,
Nicole Moran- Director ★[email protected] ★ 480-991-6440 ★ www.ccpk.info ★ 6451 E. Shea Blvd.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
All of our classes foster learning through hands-on projects, exploration, and active engagement in a variety of
activities like building, open art, pretend play with props, reading picture books, games, puzzles, math
manipulatives and real science materials. Academics are taught through meaningful daily experiences not in
isolated instruction. All of our students are offered opportunities to be challenged but never pushed into activities
where they are not ready.
TWOS- (New this year!)- Sprouts Room
•Must be 2 years old by August 1st and does not have to be potty-trained
•2-day, 3-day, 4-day or 5-day programs available
•15 children maximum
•3 teachers or 2 teacher to 2 kids
•Curriculum: We will touch on the Scripture Bites monthly thematic curriculum and our program will allow your
child to explore their creativity and independence through art, music, and dramatic play while investigating the
world around them. Arizona Early Childhood Learning Standards are used as well. Sign language is also include in
the two year old program
•Child-Initiated Project Learning
•Every day includes: Gathering Time, Circle Time, Learning and Play Centers, Diapering, Outdoor Time, Music and
Movement (includes Bible Themes), Lunch (optional), Rest Time (optional)
•After completing this class, most students go into the Threes Class
THREES- Sunshine Room
•Must be 3 years old by December 31st and potty trained.
•2-day, 3-day, 4-day or 5-day programs available
(over)
•16 children maximum
•2 teachers
•Curriculum: We use the Scripture Bites curriculum as a base for our monthly thematic, center-based
programming that incorporates all subject areas. Arizona Early Childhood Learning Standards are used as well.
•Child-Initiated Project Learning
•Every day includes: Gathering Time, Circle Time, Learning Centers, Playground Time, Music and Movement, P.E.
(weekly) and Bible Lesson, Lunch (optional), Club MED (optional)
•After completing this class, most students go into the Fours Class or Junior Kindergarten
FOURS- Rainbow Room
•Must be 4 years old by October 1st or already attended CCPK 3s Class
•2-day, 3-day, 4-day or 5-day programs available
•18 children maximum
•2 teachers
•Curriculum: Learning extended from the 3s Class. We use the Scripture Bites curriculum as a base for our
monthly thematic, center-based programming that incorporates all subject areas. Arizona Early Childhood
Learning Standards are used as well.
•Child-Initiated Project Learning
•Every day includes: Gathering Time, Circle Time, Learning Centers, Playground Time, Music and Movement, P.E.
(weekly) and Bible Lesson, Lunch (optional), Club MED (optional)
•After completing this class, most students either attend Jr. Kindergarten at Chaparral or Kindergarten at their
home school.
Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten-Apple Room
•Must be 5 years old by December 31st, recommended by previous year’s teacher, or already had two years of
preschool
•Four Day and Five Day Option •Lunch Bunch or Club MED Option
•20 children maximum
•2 teachers
•If your child is 5 before October 1st you are eligible to apply for a tax credit Kindergarten Scholarship. All of
our students who applied this year got 50% or more of their tuition covered.
•Curriculum: We use the Scripture Bites curriculum as a base for our monthly thematic, center-based
programming that incorporates all subject areas. Arizona Early Childhood Learning Standards are used as well.
•Child-Initiated Project Learning
•Every day includes: Bible, Language & Literature, Math/Number Concepts, Art Science, Social Studies and
Outdoor Play (many times these areas are integrated. )Lesson plans will still align with our philosophy to included
hands-on, interactive learning being our main focus to promote a sincere love of learning and cultivate a positive
attitude toward school.
•Weekly P.E. and Music Classes
•This class is geared to expose our older students to a more structured school day yet allow them the advantage
of a familiar and nurturing classroom setting to help boost their leadership skills along with emotional maturity. •This class is also geared toward families that are looking for an alternative to the high pressure kindergartens in
many elementary schools.
•After completing this class, most students will attend kindergarten at their next school and some students will
go on to attend first grade.
Play Pals Extended Care
Play Pals is an extended care program available for all students from 8AM-9:15AM and/or 1:30AM until 3:00PM
for additional fees, depending on the times needed. A flat fee of $6 is charged each time Play Pals is used.
Summer Camp information will be distributed in February
Transitioning
At the preschool, we help students move to a new classroom within our school by visiting other rooms
during the school year, teachers work with all students at some point in the year, we have looping
teachers who move to the next class with the students and we do home visits and a open house before
school starts.
We have a wonderful developmentally appropriate Kindergarten here at Chaparral where natural
curiosity, discovery and a love for learning are fostered each and every day. We realize that it may not
be possible financially or for other reasons for your child to attend Kindergarten here so we have
included some information to make your child’s transition into another school easier. Also some of our
students will be moving on to first grade and we hope you will find the included transition information
helpful as well. Information Included:
•Info on Area Schools
•Paradise Valley School District
•Scottsdale School District
•Area Christian Schools and Private Schools
•Area Charter Schools
•7 Things You Need to Know About a School (Before You Enroll Your Kid) http://content.time.com/time/nation/
article/0,8599,2089618,00.html
•Why Play is Important
•Parents Tips for Transitioning to Kindergarten/New School
Advice From Nicole.....
Over the past 8 years as Director, I have had many parents ask me about what school to send their
child to next. Here is just a few general words of advice on that subject:
1. There are a lot of great benefits of going to your neighborhood school, like meeting kids from the
neighborhood and being part of the community. If you choose to go to your neighborhood school,
learn about the teachers and find the one that is the best for your child. This can make or break a
school year. In general, you want to find teachers that are nurturing, have lots of activity in their
classrooms, make learning fun and interesting and honor recess time. I would never recommend a
classroom where kids sit and do paper-pencil activities most of the day. This does not help kids brains
develop properly and usually makes kids dislike school.
2. Do not choose a school just because of high test scores. Test scores are really one small part of your
child’s school experience. Kids are not mini adults and are extra sensitive to stress and burnout. High
pressure schools that simply focus on grades and test scores often steal our children’s love for
learning and make them dislike school, so, by the time they are old enough for college, they drop out
from burnout. If you take a tour of a school and students look weary, bored or stressed, be wary.
(OVER)
Area School Information
LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS (No Tuition Required)
• Paradise Valley School District
PV School District serves most of Northeast Phoenix and offer some unique choices for families which include International Baccalaureate, Core Knowledge, STEM, and Language Immersion
programs. Most of their schools start registering for next year in the month of February. Visit their
website at http://www.pvschools.net/ to find the exact dates.
• Scottsdale Unified School District
SDSU serves most of Scottsdale and some of central Phoenix and offer a few choices for families
such as Spanish Immersion and Multi-age programs. Most of their schools start registering in the spring
months and many of their schools have a “kindergarten round-up” day to check out the school. Visit their
website at http://www.susd.schoolfusion.us/ to find exact dates.
LOCAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (Private Tuition Based)
• Scottsdale Christian Academy
SCA is located near Tatum and Thunderbird and boasts a Christian curriculum and smaller class sizes.
Check their website at http://www.scottsdalechristian.org/index.html to find details for next year’s
registration.
• Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory
PVCP is located near 24th St. and Cactus and is known as a highly regimented school with a strong
Christian curriculum and a more traditional style of learning. Check their website at http://www.paradisevalleychristian.org/ for information on registration.
• Shepherd of the Desert Christian School
SDCS is located near 96th Street and Shea and is known for a high quality Christian (Lutheran) education
where childhood is honored and where they teach the whole child, not just academics. Look for more
info at http://www.school.sotdaz.org/607328.ihtml
LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS (These are public schools and no tuition is required)
• Freedom Academy- http://www.freedom-academy.com/pages/Freedom_Academy
• Archway Scottsdale- http://www.archwayscottsdale.org/
• Mission Montessori- http://www.missionmontessori.com/
• PLC Arts Academy of Scottsdale- http://www.artsacademyatscottsdale.com/
• Benchmark Academy- http://www.benchmarkschool.net/
Chaparral Christian Preschool and Kindergarten
Calendar of Events 2017-2018*
AUGUST
1
14
14
15
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
4
21
9-13
21
Calls for Home Visits Begin
Open House with Kids and Parents in the Classroom
A-M 9:00 to 10:00 am/N-Z 10:30 to 11:30 am
Parent Orientation at 6:30 pm
First Day of School
No School-Labor Day
No School (Church rented out for Rosh Hashanah)- Staff Development
Other September Events: Chapel,Taiko Drummers, Speakers From
Other Countries
No School- Fall Break
Early Dismissal at 12:45 for Staff Development
Other October Events: Chapel, Arizona Ric Balloon Show, Pumpkin
Block Party
NOVEMBER
10
15&16
17
22-24
DECEMBER
19
No School- Veteran’ Day
Early Dismissal- 11:45 pm Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thanksgiving Meal and Program-Early Dismissal at 12:45 pm for Professional Development
No School-Thanksgiving
Other November Events: Chapel, Picture Days, Arizona Puppet Theater
Christmas Program and Pizza Dinner 6:30 pm
Other December Events: Chapel, Christmas Parties
Christmas Break Dec. 25-Jan.5
JANUARY
8
15
19
School Resumes
No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Early Dismissal at 12:45 pm- Professional Dev.
Other January Events: Chapel, Jungle Jill
FEBRUARY
16
19
Early Dismissal at 12:45 pm-Professional Development
No School- President’s Day
Other February Events: Chapel, Valentine’s Parties, Art Walk
MARCH
APRIL
12-16
30
19&20
No School- Spring Break
No School- Good Friday
Other March Events: Chapel, Easter Activity, Dad’s Night, Great AZ
Puppet Theater
Early Dismissal at 11:45am- Parent/Teacher Conferences
Other April Events: Chapel, Fireman Visit
MAY
25
Last Day of School- Early Dismissal at 11:45pm
Other May Events: Chapel, Jolly Roger Magic Show, Mother’s Day Block
Party, Water Safety Presentation
* Calendar subject to change* Calendar subject to change
2017-2018
REGISTRATION
BEGINS FEB. 1st FOR
CURRENT FAMILIES
AND CHURCH
MEMBERS
Chaparral Christian
Preschool and Kindergarten
REGISTRATION FORM
2017-2018
2017-2018
REGISTRATION
BEGINS MAR. 1st
FOR NEW
FAMILIES
Child’s Name_________________________________Date of Birth__________________Today’s Date_________
Address______________________________________City________________________Zip_________________
Mother’s Name_________________________________Occupation_____________________________________
Home Phone Number____________________________Cell Phone______________________________________
Father’s Name_________________________________Occupation______________________________________
Home Phone Number____________________________Cell Phone______________________________________
Primary Email Address:_________________________________________________________________________
Registration Fee Paid for new student ($125) ______ (non refundable)
Registration Fee for returning families paid($95 in Feb only)Paid by check_____ or please charge my account____
How did you hear about our preschool?____________________________________________________________
Class Options
(Circle Days and Age)
·
·
·
Two Day 3s OR 4s Program
9:15-11:45am
$180 per month
o Include Club MED
9:15-1:30pm
$240 per month (bring a lunch)
Three Day 3s OR 4s Program
9:15-11:45am
$240 per month
o Include Club MED
9:15-1:30pm
$310 per month (bring a lunch)
9:15-11:45am
$290 per month
9:15-1:30pm
$360 per month (bring a lunch)
9:15-11:45am
$310 per month
9:15-1:30pm
$420 per month (bring a lunch)
Four Day 3s,4s or Jr. K/K Program*
o Include Club MED
·
Five Day 3, 4 Or Jr.K/K Program*
o Include Club MED
*Jr.K/K Class Options: 4 or 5 day and Club Med only
Play Pals Extended Care: Play Pals is an extended care program available for all students from 8AM-9:15AM and/or 1:30AM until
3:00PM for additional fees, depending on the times needed. A flat fee of $5 is charged each time Play Pals is used.
( 2 Year Old Registration on Back)
2017-2018
REGISTRATION
BEGINS FEB. 1st FOR
CURRENT FAMILIES
AND CHURCH
MEMBERS
Chaparral Christian
Preschool and Kindergarten
REGISTRATION FORM
2017-2018
2017-2018
REGISTRATION
BEGINS MAR. 1st
FOR NEW
FAMILIES
Child’s Name_________________________________Date of Birth__________________Today’s Date_________
Address______________________________________City________________________Zip_________________
Mother’s Name_________________________________Occupation_____________________________________
Home Phone Number____________________________Cell Phone______________________________________
Father’s Name_________________________________Occupation______________________________________
Home Phone Number____________________________Cell Phone______________________________________
Primary Email Address:_________________________________________________________________________
Registration Fee Paid for new student ($125) ______ (non refundable)
Registration Fee for returning families paid($95 in Feb only)Paid by check_____ or please charge my account____
How did you hear about our preschool?____________________________________________________________
Two Year Old Class Options
(Circle Days and Age)
·
Two Day 2s Program
o
·
Three Day 2s Program
o
·
Include Club MED
Four Day 2s Program
o
·
Include Club MED
Include Club MED
Five Day 2s Program
o
Include Club MED
9:15-11:45am
$215 per month
9:15-1:30pm
$250 per month (bring a lunch)
9:15-11:45am
$250 per month
9:15-1:30pm
$320 per month (bring a lunch)
9:15-11:45am
$300 per month
9:15-1:30pm
$370 per month (bring a lunch)
9:15-11:45am
$320 per month
9:15-1:30pm
$430 per month (bring a lunch)
Play Pals Extended Care: Is not available to the 2s program. If there gets to be a big request for it, we will add it.
The tuition fees for the twos programs are higher than the other classes because the teacher to student ratio is lower so we cannot
accept as many students or have to hire an additional teacher.
10 signs of a great preschool
How to spot a top-notch program for your child.
If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a childcare center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests you look for these 10 signs to make sure
your child is in a good classroom:
Children spend most of their time playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander
aimlessly and are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.
2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other
construction materials; props for pretend play; picture books; paints and other art materials; and table toys such
as matching games, pegboards, and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time.
3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
They do not spend all their time with the whole group.
4. The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and
stories dictated by children to teachers.
5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of
plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis
for learning activities.
6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are
used little if at all.
7. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional
time.
8. Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.
9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize
that children's different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same
time in the same way.
10. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program.
Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.
Also ask if the program is accredited by NAEYC. NAEYC-accredited programs complete a rigorous self-study and
external review to prove that they meet standards of excellence in early childhood education.
1.
Want more information?
Send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to:
NAEYC 1313 L Street NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-4101
You'll receive a complimentary brochure titled "A Good Preschool for Your Child."
Top 10 Signs of a Good Kindergarten Classroom
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children
Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along
with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world. While kindergarten marks an important transition from
preschool to the primary grades, it is important that children still get to be children -- getting kindergarteners ready for
elementary school does not mean substituting academics for play time, forcing children to master first grade "skills," or
relying on standardized tests to assess children's success.
Kindergarten "curriculum" actually includes such events as snack time, recess, and individual and group activities in
addition to those activities we think of as traditionally educational. Developmentally appropriate kindergarten
classrooms encourage the growth of children's self-esteem, their cultural identities, their independence and their
individual strengths. Kindergarten children will continue to develop control of their own behavior through the guidance
and support of warm, caring adults. At this stage, children are already eager to learn and possess an innate curiosity.
Teachers with a strong background in early childhood education and child development can best provide for children
what they need to grow physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Here are 10 signs of a good kindergarten classroom:
1.
Children are playing and working with materials or other children. They are not aimlessly wandering or forced
to sit quietly for long periods of time.
2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as block building, pretend play, picture
books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as legos, pegboards, and puzzles. Children are not all
doing the same things at the same time.
3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
They do not spend time only with the entire group.
4. The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and
dictated stories.
5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. Exploring the natural
world of plants and animals, cooking, taking attendance, and serving snack are all meaningful activities to
children.
6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Filling out
worksheets should not be their primary activity.
7. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day that weather permits. This play is never sacrificed for
more instructional time.
8. Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story time.
9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children
differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
10. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel safe sending their child to kindergarten. Children
are happy; they are not crying or regularly sick.
Individual kindergarten classrooms will vary, and curriculum will vary according to the interests and backgrounds of
the children. But all developmentally appropriate kindergarten classrooms will have one thing in common: the focus
will be on the development of the child as a whole.
Additional Resources:
•
Good teaching practices for older preschoolers and kindergarteners. 1990. Washington, DC: NAEYC #522. 50¢
each/100 for $10. Spanish edition, Prácticas de enseñanza apropriados para niños mayores en preescolar y
kinder, #523.
•
Peck, J., G. McCaig & M.E. Sapp, Kindergarten policies: What is best for children? Washington, DC: NAEYC.
#141/$6.
7 Things You Need to Know About a School
(Before You Enroll Your Kid)
By Kayla Webley Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011 Getty Images
Related
The second most important decision you will make as a parent — apart from deciding to have the kid in the first
place — is deciding which school for them to enroll in. Make the right decision and you could put them on a path
toward lifelong learning, a prestigious college education and a successful career. Choose wrong, and well, you know.
Talk about pressure. Luckily for parents, Peg Tyre, author of The Trouble with Boys and a former Newsweek
education reporter, has a new book to help parents evaluate both schools and teachers so they can find the right
place for their child. Fittingly, it's called The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They
Deserve. Tyre spoke to TIME about which questions you should ask when you're evaluating a school — whether your
child is starting pre-K or switching schools in the middle of fourth grade — and why math is key in every grade.
1. In Preschool, the Relationship Between Teacher and Student Is Key
The connection between child and teacher is more important than any curriculum, Tyre said. Think of it this way: your
3- or 4-year-old is accustomed to being surrounded by loving people, their parents and siblings 24/7, and school is
their first time spending a large portion of their day away from those people. You want to look for a preschool teacher
who is very engaged, Tyre said. Have a conversation with a prospective teacher about their current classroom. They
should be able to speak about individual students' strengths and weaknesses and be well informed of their
background, interests, emotional and academic achievements. You want a teacher who takes great pride in his or her
students' progress and is consistently open to their improvement. "When I meet great teachers, they are those for
whom every day is a new day," Tyre told TIME. "They are constantly ready for their kids to step up and learn more."
Above all, Tyre said, avoid crabby preschool teachers and those who are too authoritarian. "I see it all the time —
pre-K teachers who are barking orders and being very harsh with kids," she said. "I don't think that's appropriate."
2. The Early Years: Words, Words, Words
Your child should be surrounded with words, especially in the early years, Tyre said. You want to look for books in the
classroom and be sure the class makes regular visits to the library. You also want to ensure the teacher sets aside
lots of time for reading, reading instruction and storytelling. In the preschool and kindergarten years, be sure the
teacher is providing the building blocks for learning to read. They should focus on syllabication, e.g., "B makes the
'bah' sound" and "the boy had a big blue ball."
3. Math Cannot Be an Afterthought
From the first days of school, your kids should be exposed to math concepts. "When your child is preschool age,
what you need to know is this: there is no need to wait until children are older and are able to think and speak in
more abstract ways to introduce math concepts," Tyre writes in The Good School. "A certain kind of math ability
seems to be innate in all of us and has been measured days after birth." Which means, in your child's preschool
class you should hear teachers discussing basic math concepts with students. Things like greater than, less than,
bigger, smaller and reinforcing the number concept ("How much is three?"). As a parent you can follow up on these
things at home by doing something as simple as counting the number of Cheerios in the morning. Don't like math or
convinced you are bad at it? Don't tell your kids. Tyre said parents who pass an antimath sentiment on to their kids
hurt their chances of success. In the U.S., parents, kids and even teachers may describe a person as "bad at math,"
but in other countries where kids perform better in math, if a student is not performing well in math, parents, kids and
teachers say he or she needs to work harder. "Math is not a talent; like having a good singing voice, it's a muscle you
develop," Tyre said. Be on the lookout for a teacher who expresses a great deal of enthusiasm about math, she said.
"You do not want a teacher who is scared of math," she said.
4. Don't Focus Too Much on Standardized-Test Scores
Sometimes, good test scores can be an indication that a school is doing a very good job of educating its students,
but other times it can be an indication that the school is teaching to the test. Standardized tests only measure about
a third of the curriculum that should be being taught in the school, which means if the school is only teaching the test
material, your child is missing out on a lot. Ideally, a school will teach a rich and complicated curriculum, Tyre said,
wherein students get a tremendous amount of information, with the test answers embedded throughout. And, she
noted, "Test scores going up for one year means nothing, so drop the contest mentality." Instead, ask to see the
desegregated test results that break out various student populations. Focus on the English-language-learning
students — even if your child is not one of them — those students are the hardest to teach and are often the lowest
quartile, so if their scores are going up, that really says something about the school. But don't stop there, ask why
the scores have gone up. You want a thoughtful answer, Tyre said, not simply, Oh, we have this new program that
helps us teach the test.
5. There Is No Excuse for a School Day with No Recess
What a mistake that is, Tyre said. "No one thinks this is a good idea," she said. Apart from the obvious physical
benefits of aerobic exercise, studies have shown recess also increases cognitive functioning, she said. Tyre has seen
elementary schools built without playgrounds, schools functioning like boot camps or reading-and-math factories,
based on the idea that more instructional time means more learning. "Avoid those schools," Tyre said. "Kids need
downtime — a break from the rigor. Twenty minutes a day, at least." The same is true for middle-school and high
school students — they need breaks too.
6. Teachers Matter — Even More than You Think While not even a superteacher can entirely alleviate the effects of poverty on students, excellent teachers not only
teach more, but they can even accelerate the rate of learning among their students. And good schools champion
great teachers, Tyre said. They grow them. Look for schools that provide teachers with mentors, instruction and
discussion of best practices. Find a school where the teachers are not being treated as interchangeable cogs. "If you
show up and the fourth-grade teacher is now teaching kindergarten, that's not a good sign," Tyre told TIME. "Ask,
How has that teacher been prepared for this year? What kind of additional training did they receive over the
summer?" Additionally, Tyre recommends that during school tours, parents ask questions such as, "How do
administrators evaluate the teachers?" and "How often are classroom lessons observed?" Don't be afraid to ask
teachers where they completed their undergraduate studies and what they studied. "It's not snobbery," Tyre said.
"Teachers who graduate from more selective colleges — public and private — get better results out of kids."
7. It's Not All in the Name
There is no colloquial designation that guarantees quality. Just the word charter or private does not mean the school
is a success. In fact, Tyre said, only 1 in 5 charter schools performs better than the schools they replace. "There is no
uniformly great private school, no uniformly great charter school and no uniformly great public school," Tyre said.
"There is no easy name that you can gravitate toward that will allow you to suspend judgment." So do your
homework. The public school down the road could be just as good as the private school that costs $30,000 a year.
10 Things Every Parent Should Know about Play
by Laurel Bongiorno
1. Children learn through their play.
Don’t underestimate the value of play. Children learn and develop:
cognitive skills – like math and problem solving in a pretend grocery store
physical abilities – like balancing blocks and running on the playground
new vocabulary – like the words they need to play with toy dinosaurs
social skills – like playing together in a pretend car wash
literacy skills – like creating a menu for a pretend restaurant
2. Play is healthy.
Play helps children grow strong and healthy. It also counteracts obesity issues facing many children today.
3. Play reduces stress.
Play helps your children grow emotionally. It is joyful and provides an outlet for anxiety and stress.
4. Play is more than meets the eye.
Play is simple and complex. There are many types of play: symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games
with rules-–to name just a few. Researchers study play’s many aspects: how children learn through play,
how outdoor play impacts children’s health, the effects of screen time on play, to the need for recess in the
school day.
5. Make time for play.
As parents, you are the biggest supporters of your children’s learning. You can make sure they have as
much time to play as possible during the day to promote cognitive, language, physical, social, and
emotional development. 6. Play and learning go hand-in-hand.
They are not separate activities. They are intertwined. Think about them as a science lecture with a lab.
Play is the child’s lab.
7. Play outside.
Remember your own outdoor experiences of building forts, playing on the beach, sledding in the winter, or
playing with other children in the neighborhood. Make sure your children create outdoor memories too.
8. There’s a lot to learn about play.
There’s a lot written on children and play. Here are some NAEYC articles and books about play. David
Elkind’s The Power of Play (Da Capo, 2007 reprint) is also a great resource.
9. Trust your own playful instincts.
Remember as a child how play just came naturally? Give your children time for play and see all that they
are capable of when given the opportunity.
10. Play is a child’s context for learning.
Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time
for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant,
children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks. Play provides rich learning
opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem.
Laurel Bongiorno, PhD, is the director of Champlain College’s graduate program in early childhood education, with
specializations in teaching and administration, in Burlington, Vermont. She has taught preschool, directed early childhood
programs, and studied parents’ perceptions of preschoolers’ learning through play.
© National Association for the Education of Young Children — Promoting excellence in early childhood education