Early Learning Blog
Take Time to Learn
Betsey Matas, RPS Early Learning Family Literacy Specialist
Summer brings with it a wonderful opportunity to slow down a bit and enjoy life through your child’s eyes. With the longer days and (sometimes) lighter schedules, it is a perfect time to watch how your child prefers to spend their time and join in!
Many children are focused on the moment that they are in and enjoying taking the time to really explore the surroundings. Sure, the walk to the car may take longer when you are hopping up and down from the curb, but to them they are feeling the different ways their bodies can move and learning about cause and effect!
Children are natural born learners and are experts in taking in the environment that adults tend to take for granted. To them, many experiences are brand new and exciting. Walk beside your child and notice the different leaves, the way the dandelions change, the sounds of birds calling to each other or even the shape of the clouds. Each opportunity is a chance to see the world as your child sees it. If they show an interest in a certain thing, make an adventure out of it! Take a trip to the library or settle in for a google search adventure to learn more about the bug, rock or waterfall that might have intrigued them... you may learn something too!
Taking the time to notice and join in with your children's interests is also a great way to support their learning as the school year begins again. Since there is no one way to learn, ask your child’s teacher for ways that you can support what goes on in the classroom at home using the activities that your child is naturally drawn to. You’d be surprised at all the ways you can learn about math, reading, science and more while doing the things you enjoy... not every learning moment has to feel like “homework”!
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Preschoolers at the Central Education Center already spend a lot of time outdoors during our school year, but now they have an Outdoor Learning Center to help them learn and explore!
The early childhood years from birth to age 5 are a time of rapid growth and learning. Early Childhood Screening is a quick and simple check of your child's development and school readiness skills.
The Family School Program is a multigenerational literacy program that provides children ages 0-5 and their caregivers (parents, guardians, grandparents, etc.) with access to an exciting world of learning and opportunity.
It can be tempting to hibernate in the winter, when the temperature drops and it seems like more work than it’s worth to get your child bundled up in enough snow gear to cover every inch of their skin. But research shows that it is worth the work!
While many children love to curl up on the laps of their favorite reader, some don’t like to slow down long enough to enjoy a nice story. Reading gives children a chance to expand their vocabulary and hear about concepts that they may not normally encounter—and they don’t have to sit still to hear it!
Sensory play can be a fun and educational way to engage your child in learning. This simple goop recipe can be easily made at home and used to foster learning in a number of ways. Here are some fun ways to engage your child with your homemade goop!
Taking the time to notice and join in with your children's interests is also a great way to support their learning as the school year begins again. Since there is no one way to learn, ask your child’s teacher for ways that you can support what goes on in the classroom at home using the activities that your child is naturally drawn to.
Independence is a skill we learn and practice in preschool and at home. It's a skill where your child is being active in their learning rather than passive. They get to learn how to work out the answers for themselves, rather than being told.