Reading to Preschool Children
At The Academy, we know that reading to preschool children is very important. It’s a good way to foster a love of literature and learning. At a tender age, children are just beginning to explore the vast world around them. This is an optimal time to introduce them to the wonders of books.
The Academy serves the middle Tennessee area with 17 locations. We invite you to join our family.
In this blog, we discuss the benefits of reading to children and recommend some captivating books sure to spark imagination.
Language Development and Vocabulary Expansion
Reading to children significantly enhances their language skills. As they listen to stories, they are exposed to new words and phrases, which broadens their vocabulary. This exposure helps them understand how to express their thoughts and emotions more effectively.
Cognitive Skills and Critical Thinking
Storytime encourages young minds to think critically and make connections between the story and their own experiences. By engaging with the plot, characters, and outcomes, children develop problem-solving skills and learn to predict what might happen next. This cognitive engagement is crucial for their overall intellectual growth.
Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
Books introduce children to diverse characters and situations, helping them understand different perspectives and emotions. This exposure fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, as children learn to identify and relate to the feelings of others. Stories about friendship, kindness, and overcoming challenges can also provide valuable life lessons.
Creativity and Imagination
The vivid illustrations and imaginative plotlines in children’s books stimulate creativity. As children visualize the scenes and characters, they exercise their imagination, which is essential for their creative development. This imaginative play can extend beyond reading time, inspiring children to create their own stories and adventures.
A Short List of Engaging Books
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Daycare Programs that Develop Happier Children
The Academy has one of the proven daycare programs that develop happier children. We know that happier children tend to be healthier and better equipped to handle challenges in life. Our staff is deeply committed to creating a nurturing environment that fosters a sense of belonging and joy.
Parents Have Voted Us Best of Parenting Since 2008
Our parents tell us that their children are happy and excited to come to daycare. They also tell us that their children have become more social by attending The Academy. Parents also tell us that when they walk in, they can see the joy that the teachers have, and the kids have.
The Importance of Joy in Daycare Programs
At The Academy, our carefully selected staff doesn’t teach joy, they simply are joyful. We know that joy significantly impacts a child’s health by:
- promoting positive brain development
- reducing anxiety
- boosting learning abilities
- enhancing resilience
- encouraging exploration of new experiences
- contributing to overall well-being and social competence
How Joy Works
Experiencing joy activates positive neural pathways in the brain, strengthening the ability to cope with stress and promoting healthy emotional regulation. Joyful emotions can counteract feelings of anxiety and stress, helping children manage difficult situations better.
At The Academy, we want our children to be educated and have fun because these two things work together. When children feel happy, they are more engaged and receptive to learning. This, of course, potentially leads to better academic performance.
The Academy – What’s Our Secret?
The Academy provide the highest quality child care by employing the finest teaching staff available. Our staff is committed to love and care for both our children and their families. We have 17 locations in middle Tennessee, and all our locations have the same level of care. We invite you to join our family today.
Privately Owned Preschools Involve Parents
Privately owned preschools know that engaging in your child’s learning plays a crucial role in a child’s early development and learning experiences. The Academy is an example of a privately owned preschool with specific programs for the whole family. Our seasonal programs such as “Fall is for Your Family,” “Fitness Fanatics,” and “Green Our Scene” are all programs that involve the whole family.
But in addition to participating in structured programs, here are some engaging ideas for parents to become involved.
Stay Informed
Keep up with daycare newsletters or bulletins to be aware of upcoming activities or needs. Being informed allows you to engage appropriately, whether it’s bringing supplies for a craft project or inviting your child’s friends to a group playdate.
Share Your Skills
Parents often possess unique skills or hobbies that could enrich daycare activities. Whether it’s crafting, cooking, or storytelling, consider offering to lead a session or share your expertise.
For example, if you’re a musician, volunteer for a music day, or if you love gardening, propose planting a small flower bed with the children. Sharing your talents encourages learning through hands-on experiences.
Volunteer for Events
Most daycares regularly host events such as holiday parties, picnics, craft days, or field trips. Volunteer to help with these activities.
Your participation not only supports staff but also provides an opportunity to interact with your child and their friends. Engaging in fun group activities reinforces the sense of community and allows you to observe your child’s interactions in a social setting.
Foster Open Communication:
Encourage your child to talk about their day and what they’ve learned. This practice not only strengthens your bond but also gives you insights into how you can enrich their experiences further.
Join Our Family at One of Our Privately Owned Preschools
The Academy encourages active parental involvement in daycare activities because it creates a warm, supportive environment for children to thrive. And that’s what it’s really all about.
Teaching Thankfulness in a Family-Oriented Daycare
As a family-oriented daycare, we want to observe the season of Thanksgiving by thanking all our daycare families. Thank you for trusting us with your children.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to teach toddlers about gratitude and the joy of giving thanks. One way we do this is in our daycare is with Thanksgiving-related crafts. Engaging children in Thanksgiving crafts is not only enjoyable but also helps them understand the importance of gratitude and community. As an added bonus, doing crafts also provides an excellent bonding opportunity.
Three Thanksgiving Craft Projects for Toddlers
In this blog, we want to inspire you to do some Thanksgiving crafts at home this year. Each project allows for creativity and self-expression, making Thanksgiving a heartwarming experience for your children and you. The following craft projects are fun and simple ways to create precious keepsakes.
Thankful Handprint Turkey
Start by helping toddlers trace their hands on a piece of construction paper. Once the handprints are outlined, let them color each finger to represent the turkey’s feathers. Glue the picture to a paper plate. The palm can serve as the turkey’s body, and toddlers can add googly eyes and a beak.
Thankful Tree
A thankful tree is a beautiful way for children to express what they are thankful for. With a large piece of brown paper, cut out a tree trunk and branches for your child. Help your child cut out leaf shapes from different colors of construction paper. Encourage toddlers to color and decorate the leaves and write or dictate what they are thankful for on each leaf.
Gratitude Jars
This project promotes reflection and sharing. Decorate small jars with stickers, paint, or ribbon, turning them into “Thankfulness Jars.” Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, have children help write (or draw) something they are thankful for on small slips of paper. Place these in the jar, and on Thanksgiving Day, read them aloud together.
The Academy Is a Family-Oriented Daycare
The Best Childcare Teachers Communicate with Parents
Establishing strong communication between childcare teachers and parents is one of the ways that The Academy provides a supportive learning environment. The best childcare teachers communicate with parents in several ways. In this blog, we discuss some of the ways that we and our teaching staff enhancing parent-teacher communication.
Our Childcare Teachers Know How to Listen
Effective communication involves active listening. We encourage parents to share their perspectives and insights about their child’s needs and behaviors with us. This helps us better understand your family dynamics and tailor our approach to support your child.
The Academy Communicates with Blogs and Facebook
Consistent communication helps parents stay informed about their child’s progress, events, and classroom activities. One of the ways we do this at The Academy is with our individual location blogs and our Facebook page.
The Best Childcare Teachers Have an Open Door Policy
Creating an open-door policy invites parents to feel comfortable reaching out with questions or concerns. When educators are approachable, families are more likely to communicate openly. This approach nurtures trust and assures parents that their input is valued, fostering a sense of partnership in their child’s education.
Childcare Teachers Schedule Conferences with Parents
Parent-teacher conferences are essential opportunities to discuss a child’s progress and address any concerns. They also help build a relationship between the childcare teacher and the parents – ensuring they are both on the same page. This can also be a time for a teacher to showcase a child’s work for a parent.
The Academy Is an Award-Winning Preschool
The Academy preschools provide the highest quality childcare and daycare services with the finest teaching staff available. We know that fostering positive parent-teacher communication is not just about exchanging information. I’s about building relationships that prioritize the child’s best interests. Join our family today.
Outdoor Play in Day Care
We recognize the importance of outdoor activities in day care. Outdoor play in day care is a fantastic way for children to release energy while improving their gross motor skills. Encouraging physical play in an outdoor setting not only boosts children’s health but also strengthens their social bonds and enhances their overall well-being. At The Academy, we have outdoor play time twice a day, weather permitting. Learn more about our daily routines in our Parent Handbook.
We Invest in Outdoor Play in Day Care with Top Notch Outdoor Playground Equipment
Physical play, both indoors and outdoors, is essential for young children. Play supports their physical development, enhances social skills, and encourages creativity. That why all of our locations have professional playground equipment.
Outdoor Activities that You Can Do at Home
We realize that safe and sturdy playground equipment isn’t always available at or near your home. But don’t let that stop you. Here are two activities that you can do at home to enjoy the outdoors. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light-hearted and playful, allowing the children to enjoy their time while benefiting from the physical exertion.
Scavenger Hunt Walks
Organize a scavenger hunt in your backyard or your neighborhood. Create a list of items that your children must find as you walk along with them. The list can include specific leaves, flowers, or rocks. As they run around searching for each item, they practice bending, reaching, and walking over varied terrains, enhancing their gross motor skills while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Obstacle Courses Are Not Just for Outdoor Play in Day Care
Set up a simple obstacle course using cones, hula hoops, and jump ropes. Children can crawl under things, jump over lines, or balance on planks. This activity encourages them to navigate challenges, which helps improve their balance, coordination, and agility.
Contact The Academy Today for More Information about Our High Quality Day Cares in Middle Tennessee
The Best Daycare Graduations in Cool Springs
One of the best daycare graduation exercises for rising pre-kindergarteners occurs every year at The Academy of Cool Springs. Following completion of our pre-K program, graduation exercises mark an important milestone in a child’s academic journey daycare to kindergarten.
The Benefits of Graduation Exercises
Graduation exercises used to be limited to high school and college, but gradually, over the years, graduation exercises started being held for junior high school, and then elementary school, and finally the trickle-down reached daycare. This progression is due to the benefits that a graduation ceremony provides.
The Benefits for Children
A graduation exercise helps a children feel a sense of closure to their preschool experience. It helps them take the next step into kindergarten.
It also gives them an opportunity to reflect on their achievements and progress over the past years. These include recognizing letters and numbers, writing their names, and engaging in basic social interactions.
By acknowledging and celebrating these achievements, graduation ceremonies help boost children’s self-confidence and motivation as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their educational journey.
The Benefits for Adults
Graduation ceremonies provide an opportunity for parents, teachers, and other caregivers to show their support for the children. Coming together as children take this step toward kindergarten, shows a child how much they care. It is a time for families to celebrate their child’s growth and development, to connect with educators, and to form a sense of community within the school environment.
The Academy Is One of the Best Daycare Centers in Cool Springs
At The Academy, graduation is a bittersweet time for us. As we look at the incredibly adorable group of children standing on the stage, saying goodbye to them is difficult for us. But we are so very, very proud of the children, and we can’t wait to see them succeed in kindergarten. Thank you for trusting us with your greatest treasures!
Building Language Skills at The Academy of Burkitt Commons
Have you noticed your child coming home after a day at The Academy of Burkitt Commons with new words that amaze you? Well, don’t be amazed because children’s brains are highly receptive to new information at this age. At The Academy, we have several effective strategies that we use to enhance language development in young children. (The more you learn about The Academy, the more you are going to love it.)
The Academy of Burkitt Language Building Techniques
We want to share the language building techniques we use at daycare so you can use them at home too. Encouraging your child to interact with you and siblings at home enforces what we do at daycare. In this blog, we share four techniques with you.
1. Sing Songs and Rhymes
We integrate songs and rhymes into our day, every day. They introduce children to the sounds and rhythms of the language in a fun and engaging way. Repetition inherent in songs and rhymes also helps children remember words and phrases, aiding in vocabulary acquisition. Singing songs together at home (with a little dancing thrown in too) is as much fun as it is educational.
2. Create a Language-Rich Environment
A language-rich environment is a must. We surround the children with spoken and written words throughout the day. We literally immerse them in words—reading aloud, labeling objects around the classroom, and displaying printed words at eye level. This helps expand vocabulary and the understanding of language structure.
3. Read-Aloud Interactively
Interactive read-aloud sessions are more than just reading to children; they involve engaging children with the text. We ask predictive questions, encourage children to talk about the story, and connect the book’s events to the child’s own experiences. This actively involves children in the storytelling process, which promotes comprehension and critical thinking.
4. Encourage Expressive Language
By asking open-ended questions that require more than yes or no answers, we encourage expressive language. For instance, instead of asking, “Did you have fun today?” we might ask, “What was your favorite part of the day, and why?” Such questions prompt children to think and verbalize their thoughts, fostering their expressive language skills.
Call The Academy of Burkitt Commons Today for Enrollment Information
Preparing Children for Kindergarten – A Crucial Task for Daycares and Preschools
Preparing children for kindergarten and academic success begins long before they enter the doors of a traditional school setting. Daycares and preschools play an important role in getting children ready for kindergarten. With early childhood education programs, preschools lay the foundation for children to thrive academically.
The Academy Is a Good Investment in Preparing Children for Kindergarten
Parents know that The Academy is a good invest in quality early childhood education. The Academy helps ensure that all the children have a strong start in kindergarten and school. We even have a special program called Kindergarten Boot Camp that prepares children for kindergarten.
All our daycares provide a safe and nurturing environment for young children. And our programs help launch their future success in school by promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Preparing Children for Kindergarten by Developing Social Skills
The Academy contributes to school and kindergarten readiness through the development of children’s social skills. Interacting with peers and adults in our daycare helps children learn to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts.
These skills are essential later in the classroom where children are expected to work cooperatively, follow instructions, and communicate effectively. By fostering positive social skills, we help children build the foundation for successful social interactions with others in the classroom.
Developing Emotional Skills
The Academy also focuses on promoting emotional development in young children. Children learn to regulate their emotions, express themselves effectively, and develop empathy and understanding towards others.
These emotional skills help a child manage stress, build resilience, and form positive relationships with teachers and peers. Our daycare programs create a supportive and nurturing environment where children can learn to handle their emotions.
Developing Cognitive Skills
Developing cognitive skills through stimulating and enriching learning experiences is also a primary focus at the Academy. Through play-based activities, educational games, and hands-on exploration, we expose children to concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes.
These early learning experiences help children develop important cognitive skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. By introducing children to age-appropriate educational activities, daycare programs help children develop a love for learning and a curiosity about the world around them.
Parent’s Important Role in Early Childhood Learning
Parental involvement plays a crucial role in a child’s early childhood learning and development. Research consistently shows that when parents are actively involved in their child’s education, the child is more likely to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Getting Involved in Your Child’s Early Childhood Learning
Parental involvement in early childhood learning has a very positive impact on a child’s academic, social, and emotional development. But what does involvement look like? It means spending time with your child in educational activities. This can include reading to your child, coloring together, playing games, going to the zoo, and so much more.
Building a Partnership Between Home and Daycare
When parents are actively engaged in their child’s education, they can provide support and encouragement. Establishing regular communication with teachers and daycare staff allows you to stay informed about your child’s progress. Then you can identify areas where your child may need additional help or practice. Together you can help your child develop confidence, resilience, ana d social and academic skills.
At The Academy we encourage family involvement by offering unique opportunities for families to build a foundation for healthy relationships and emotional well-being. We take pride in recognizing and supporting the wonderful role of family in a child’s development. Learn more about our Seasonal Programs with activities for the whole family.
Being a Role Models
Parents can serve as positive role models for their children by demonstrating the value of education and lifelong learning. By showing an interest in learning yourself and doing educational activities with your child, you can instill a love of learning that will benefit your child for a lifetime.
The Academy Is One of the Best Early Childhood Learning Center in Middle Tennessee
We have locations in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Nolensville, and Spring Hill. The Academy has the highest rating (3 stars) from The Tennessee Star-Quality Child Care Program.
