The Academy Preschools Help Children Navigate Stress

The holidays that are fast upon us are often filled with joy, but for preschool and daycare-aged children, they can also bring new stress. From Halloween costumes to Thanksgiving gatherings and December celebrations, kids may feel overwhelmed. During holidays, routines shift and emotions can run high. They may need extra support at preschool and at home. The Academy Preschools know just how to help children navigate stress during holidays.

The Academy Preschools Know How to Celebrate

At our daycare, we focus on making holidays fun and manageable for young children, blending learning with celebration. Celebrations at this age are less about perfection and more about connection.

Young children rely on predictability to feel safe. So, we keep classroom celebrations simple and familiar. When routines change and expectations grow, stress can show up as clinginess, tantrums, or fatigue. Recognizing these signs early allows us as caregivers to respond with patience and reassurance.

Some Tips for Parents

Understanding the challenges of holidays for our little ones helps us guide them through the holiday seasons with care. Together, we can help your child embrace the magic of the season with confidence and joy.

Halloween: Excitement and Anxiety

Costumes, candy, and decorations are thrilling, but also confusing. Scary costumes, loud parties or too much sugar can lead to meltdowns. Parents can ease stress by choosing comfortable costumes, practicing at home, and keeping trick-or-treating short and sweet.

Thanksgiving: Big Crowds and Big Feelings

Large family gatherings can overwhelm preschoolers. Strange foods, busy kitchens, and new faces may spark anxiety. Preparing your child ahead of time helps. Explain who they’ll see, what foods will be there, and where they can take a break. Offering a familiar snack alongside the turkey can also give comfort.

Christmas and Hanukkah: Too Much, Too Fast

December holidays bring bright lights, gifts, and nonstop activity. For young children, this sudden burst of change can be overstimulating. Skipped naps, late nights, and too many sweets often add up to cranky moods. Parents can help by protecting core routines like bedtime and snack time.

The Academy Seasonal Programs

The Academy is not just for kids…it’s for your WHOLE family. In addition to the October through December holidays, we celebrate with other family-oriented seasonal programs. Learn more about our seasonal programs.

Franklin’s Premiere Daycare Teaches with Music and Movement

As Franklin’s premiere daycare center, The Academy uses many tools for teaching preschoolers. And we are always seeking innovative ways to enhance the learning process. Among the most compelling new learning discoveries is the impact that music and movement have on cognitive development.

The Cognitive Benefits of Music

Without a doubt, music enriches classroom experiences. But it also plays a pivotal role in sharpening cognitive skills, improving memory, and fostering creativity.

Studies show that children exposed to music exhibit superior language skills, better memory retention, and heightened spatial-temporal reasoning. The act of listening to or performing music engages multiple areas of the brain, forging new neural connections and strengthening existing ones.

The Power of Movement in Learning

Kinesthetic learning—learning through movement—is particularly effective for young children, helping them to internalize new concepts through hands-on experiences.

Activities such as dance, sports, or simple classroom exercises are very valuable. Movement improves physical health and boosts concentration, memory, and executive function. A child who jumps while counting, for instance, is more likely to remember numbers and sequences because their body is actively involved in the learning process.

Synergy Between Music and Movement

When  you combine music and movement, their cognitive benefits are amplified. In our classrooms, we incorporate singing with actions or rhythmic clapping to create multisensory learning experiences. This aids retention and recall.

Dance is another good example of the synergy between music and movement. It marries rhythm and physical coordination, challenging the brain to process tempo, melody, and spatial awareness simultaneously.

Learn More about Franklin’s Premiere Daycare

The Academy has five locations in Franklin, TN. Additionally, The Academy has twelve more locations scattered across Nashville, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, and Nolensville.

All of our locations provide children the highest quality preschool education in a fun and safe environment. You can have peace of mind that your child is receiving the best possible care.

The Best Daycare Near You: How We Handle Challenging Behavior

Managing challenging behaviors in a classroom of preschoolers is a nuanced and essential part of fostering a positive and nurturing learning environment. The Academy,  the best daycare facility near you, knows behavioral challenges are normal during young children’s development.

Undeveloped social and emotional skills can cause occasional conflicts. At our daycare center, we embrace these moments as opportunities for growth and learning, employing thoughtful strategies to guide children toward positive behavior and healthy conflict resolution.

Understanding the Roots of Challenging Behavior

Challenging behaviors may stem from frustration, anxiety, or unmet needs. Our daycare center trains staff to observe and identify triggers for behavioral challenges, whether they involve difficulty sharing, trouble with transitions, or sensitivity to sensory stimuli. By understanding the root causes, we can tailor our approach to meet each child’s unique needs.

Strategies for Managing Conflict and Promoting Positive Behavior

1. Social-Emotional Learning

One of our central strategies is integrating social-emotional learning into daily activities and curriculum. We teach preschoolers to identify and express their emotions, understand empathy, and practice kindness toward peers. Simple activities, such as storytelling or role-playing, encourage children to navigate social interactions constructively.

2. Setting Clear Expectations

Consistency and clarity are key. Our classrooms establish clear rules and routines that are reinforced regularly. When children understand what is expected of them, they feel secure and are more likely to follow guidelines.

3. Positive Reinforcement

Rather than focusing solely on correcting negative behavior, we emphasize positive reinforcement. Acknowledging and celebrating moments of kindness, cooperation, and patience encourages children to repeat these behaviors.

4. Conflict Resolution Techniques

We teach preschoolers age-appropriate conflict resolution techniques, such as using words to express their feelings, taking turns, or seeking help from a teacher when needed. These tools empower children to handle disagreements independently and with confidence.

The Best Daycare Near You Is One of Our 17 Locations

The Academy has locations throughout Middle Tennessee. Find the location nearest you.

Academy Kindergarten Bootcamp-Transitioning from Daycare to Kindergarten

As summer approaches, many parents start to contemplate their child’s readiness for kindergarten. The transition from daycare to kindergarten is a significant milestone in a child’s life, marking the beginning of formal education. It is crucial to ensure that children are ready to embrace this new chapter in their educational journey. The Academy Kindergarten Bootcamp prepares children for their next big step.

Importance of The Academy Kindergarten Bootcamp

The gap between preschool and kindergarten is significant, as children encounter new expectations and social dynamics. Our summer program addresses this gap by providing tailored activities that promote academic readiness and social-emotional development. Our summer readiness program enhances children’s foundational skills in a fun and engaging way. This makes the transition smoother and less intimidating.

Our Pre-K Program Focuses on Learning Skills

Our summer program focuses on several key areas to ensure that children are ready for the academic and social demands of kindergarten. Key skill areas include:

• Literacy and Language Development
  During the bootcamp, activities such as story time, phonics games, and letter puzzles help develop early literacy skills. Fun activities, like singing alphabet songs or engaging in storytelling crafts, make this learning enjoyable and memorable.
• Mathematics Readiness
  Bootcamp participants may explore counting through games, measure objects with non-standard units, and engage in fun group activities that encourage pattern recognition and number sense. These early math experiences teach children to see numbers in their everyday lives.
• Social Skills and Teamwork
  Our summer provide children with ample opportunities to interact with their peers, fostering essential social skills. Through structured group activities, such as cooperative games and team projects, children learn to communicate effectively, share, and resolve conflicts.

The Academy Kindergarten Bootcamp Also Stresses Routine and Structure

A key aspect of transitioning to kindergarten is understanding and adapting to a structured routine. Summer bootcamps often mimic the daily schedule of a kindergarten classroom, helping children become accustomed to organized activities, quiet times, and transitions between tasks. This familiarity can significantly ease anxiety when they start kindergarten.

The Academy Kindergarten Bootcamp Program Fills Up Quickly! Enroll Now.

The Role of Play in Preschools – Understanding STEM Concepts

Play is an essential part of childhood, and its role in education—particularly in STEM learning—is invaluable. Educators recognize the role of play in preschools for understanding mathematical and scientific concepts. This approach is particularly effective in fostering their natural curiosity and enthusiasm for discovery.

The Academy Curriculum Relies Heavily on Hands-on Play

Play is a fundamental aspect of childhood, serving as a vital avenue through which preschoolers explore, experiment, and make sense of the world around them. The Academy embraces this early educational cornerstone by utilizing a nationally recognized, award-winning curriculum.

Building Foundations through Exploration

Play-based learning enables children to explore their surroundings freely, encouraging them to ask questions and seek answers. This lays the groundwork for scientific thinking.

For instance, when preschoolers engage in activities like building with blocks or playing with water, they are experimenting with principles of physics such as gravity, balance, and buoyancy. These play activities help them understand complex concepts through hands-on experience, making abstract ideas more concrete and accessible.

Encouraging Creativity and Innovation

Creativity is a key aspect of play that significantly enhances STEM learning. When children are given the freedom to explore and experiment during play, they are more likely to come up with innovative solutions to problems.

Activities like role-playing, constructing models, and engaging in imaginative games stimulate creative thinking and allow preschoolers to approach scientific and mathematical challenges with an open mind. This creativity fosters a deeper appreciation for STEM subjects, encouraging a lifelong interest in these fields.

Learn More About the Role of Play in Preschools at One of Our Many Locations

With over 17 locations, we’re pretty sure we have a location near you. Call us today to schedule a tour of one of our locations. See how play-based learning is integrated in our curriculum in a fun and safe environment

Preschool Separation Anxiety Symptoms– How to Manage Them

At The Academy, we are trained to manage, what we call, preschool separation anxiety. This is a common and natural phase in a young child’s development. It typically occurs at the ages of six months to three years—just when a child may be entering preschool.

Signs and Symptoms of Preschool Separation Anxiety

This condition shows itself when a child experiences distress and fear when separated from their parents. If your child is experiencing separation anxiety, this is what you may experience when you drop off your child at preschool:

• Your child cries or has a tantrum when you try to leave
• Your child clings to you

What we see after you leave may include these behaviors:

• Refusal to participate in activities
• Complaints of physical ailments such as stomachaches or headaches
• Difficulty sleeping taking a nap

The Academy’s Approach to Preschool Separation Anxiety

Our staff is trained to manage separation anxiety with patience, empathy, and consistency. By providing a supportive environment and using effective strategies, we help your child navigate this challenging phase.

To learn more about enrollment, pricing, or scheduling a tour of one of our area preschools please you our convenient request form.

Strategies for Managing Separation Anxiety for Parents

For parents, managing separation anxiety involves a combination of reassurance, gradual separation, and fostering independence. Here are some strategies that can help:

Establish a Routine

A predictable routine can provide a sense of security for young children. Knowing what to expect each day, including when separations will occur, can reduce anxiety. Consistent goodbyes and reunions help children understand that separations are temporary and that their parents will return.

Gradual Departures

Accustom your child to short separations, such as leaving your child with a friend or sitter for an hour. Gradually increase the separation time so that your child becomes more comfortable. This practice helps build trust and confidence in the child that you will return.

Positive Reinforcement

Praise and reward the child for handling separations well. Positive reinforcement encourages them to manage their anxiety and fosters a sense of achievement.

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!

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.