Tips for Choosing the Right Preschool in Tampa

As a parent, one of the most important decisions you will make is deciding which preschool to enroll your child  in. Choosing a preschool that will prepare your child well for lifelong learning is not easy. There are several things to consider, like  the programs and curriculum offered by the preschool. It may be confusing and nerve-wracking but don’t worry, below is a guide that can help you choose the right preschool.

Nail down the basics

When choosing a preschool, it’s  best to start with the basics. Ask yourself these  questions How far you are willing to drive when bringing and picking up your child from the preschool. Is it important for the preschool to be close to your office or your home? What programs are you looking for? Do you need your child to be in school in the morning or afternoon?

Determine your preferred curriculum

Pick a preschool that will suit your child’s needs

Each child has different and unique needs. A preschool is a good fit if it can provide your child the kind of learning environment that will meet their specific needs. Each preschool may offer a different style of curriculum. It will also help if you get familiar with each of those. Here are some of the most common styles.

• Child-centered. A child-centered setting considers your child’s best interest when daily activities are being planned. They are not based on what the teachers decide to give the entire class.
• Montessori. This method is focused on the child’s individuality. The Montessori Method believes that every child’s learning should not be inhibited by comparing them to others because each child learns at their own pace.
• Teacher-led. The teacher-led setting is the opposite of child-centered setting. The curriculum and activities are based on what the teacher has planned for the whole class. The learning environment is also more structured.
• Faith-based. This style is one in which the activities revolve around the philosophies of their faith. It is also usually run by a church.

Do your research

Take time to talk to colleagues, family, friends and others that have children, . Ask them for their opinions and recommendations on the preschool that offers the curriculum and program you are looking for. These resources can give you valuable insights that will help your decision making process. Also make use of the internet and get some more information online. Visit each preschool’s website to get more details on what they offer, learn more about their teachers, activities,  and events.

Schedule a school tour

After narrowing down your options to a few preschools, it’s time to schedule your visit to each facility. It is a great idea to bring your child with you during the school tour. When you arrive, , make some key observations and try to get the feel of the environment. Does it seem welcoming and inviting? Is your child going to have fun and be comfortable in this setting? Is your child going to be safe and secure?

Also, take time to talk to the school’s director as well as the teachers. Observe the teacher and student interaction. Notice how the classes are  being run. Are the kids enjoying each other and having a great time while learning? You will also want to find out more about the quality of education your child will get from the preschool. Ask how the teachers have prepared for the year and if they are getting additional training. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions.  It’s important that you know about the education offered in a preschool to get  the best results for your kids.

Ask for your child’s opinion

Before making a final decision, make sure to  ask your child about their personal choice. It is important that they are enrolled in a preschool that they will enjoy going to and have fun while learning.

Getting your child enrolled in a preschool for the first time can be overwhelming. But these tips can help you choose the right preschool for your child.

The post Tips for Choosing the Right Preschool in Tampa appeared first on Creative Learning Academy.

from Creative Learning Academy https://ift.tt/2KeVE4j
via IFTTT

Reasons Why You Should Educate Children on the Value of Volunteering

Raising kids isn’t easy…especially in a society that often seems so self-absorbed. (selfies, anyone?)

So how can parents help kids see beyond their own immediate interests and concerns?

By involving their children in opportunities to volunteer their time and energies towards helping others.

While volunteering benefits those on the receiving end – both the individuals and organizations served – it’s hard to quantify how much volunteering benefits the “giver” just as much…if not more.

When you give your child opportunities to help others through volunteering you’re also helping them learn:

Empathy

When looking for opportunities to volunteer, the closer your child can be to the end result (e.g. handing the sandwich to a homeless person not just making the sandwich) the more concrete their understanding will be of what they’re doing.

Which also leads to more engagement in the volunteering process.

Confidence

Children gain confidence when they see their own contributions make a difference in someone else’s life. Their success then encourages them to look for other ways they can contribute to their communities, building leadership skills they will take with them throughout their lives.

Cooperation

Volunteer work can teach compassion

Social situations are the best way for children to learn social skills, and volunteering is no exception.

When a diverse range of individuals meet through volunteering, they have a common goal in mind, however different people will often approach the same task in a different way, which can potentially lead to conflict.

Children who witness – and participate in – the process of deliberation among the volunteers learn how important collaboration with others is to achieve the desired end result…helping individuals in need.

Compassion

As children take part in volunteering efforts they learn more about the world around them. As they observe and compare their own lives with that of others they develop compassion for others.

Application of knowledge and skills

In school, children rarely get the opportunity to see how the topics they’re learning can be applied in the real world. However, when volunteering, they learn how organizing tasks and understanding basic concepts (e.g. counting change) play a vital role in a successful venture.

Volunteering can also help kids visualize what they might want to do one day. For example, a child who volunteers at the local hospital or nursing home might be inspired to become a physician or nurse.

Making connections with their family and others

Busy families often have such frazzled schedules with work, school and extra-curricular activities, it often leaves both parents and kids feeling disconnected. When parents and their children are working together as volunteers for their community they have a chance to have fun and to grow closer as a family.

Responsibility

Ever notice how your kids will jump at the chance to help out their friends’ parents when they’re visiting them, but you have to nag to get them to do the same thing at home?

You’re not the only one!

You can put this tendency to good use…when someone is counting on your kid to be there as a volunteer, they’re much more engaged and desirous of doing what they’ve said they would do, which reinforces all the “responsibility” talk they’ve been getting from you!

Possibilities

If you’d like to get your family involved in volunteering efforts, but aren’t sure where to begin, here’s some ideas to get you started.:

Reach out to local hospitals, churches or charities to see if they have any needs

Contact a volunteer clearinghouse, (e.g. VolunteerMatch) which matches volunteers with organizations in need of volunteers.

Check with the bulletin board at the local library to look for any advertisements. You could also put up an ad yourself, notifying your openness to volunteering opportunities.

Check with the park service or whomever is in charge of cleaning up parks in the area…they’d love to have your help and it’s something even the smallest child can take part in.

Handy with tools? If you have older kids you could volunteer for housing repair and renovation projects (e.g. Habitat for Humanity) for low-income residents. 

A community food bank or soup kitchen, nursing home or food delivery service to the elderly are good choices too – they don’t take a lot of time out of your week, but they’re very fulfilling ways to volunteer your time and energy…and lots of fun for the kids too!

Finally, remember to be flexible. Not all hours or locations will fit your schedule. If one volunteer opportunity doesn’t suit your needs, keep looking…you’ll be glad you did!

The post Reasons Why You Should Educate Children on the Value of Volunteering appeared first on Creative Learning Academy.

from Creative Learning Academy https://ift.tt/2vGgVRn
via IFTTT