Learning to read is a major milestone in your child’s life. Building early literacy and language skills early in life make learning to read easier and more enjoyable for your child later on. At Early Childhood Academy, we work on these skills daily to prepare your child for a lifetime of reading.

Vocabulary is a major predictor of reading success in children. The more words your child knows, the greater their ability to comprehend text. Building early literacy and a large vocabulary starts young. A study of 18-month-olds found that children who are surrounded by adults who speak with them have a vocabulary that is 185 words larger than their peers who have not been exposed to verbal interactions.

From birth to age 5, children acquire new words at a faster rate than at any time of their lives. Kindergarteners have mastered three-fifths of all the vocabulary they will ever acquire. This means your child’s time with us is a precious opportunity to build a large vocabulary that prepares them for reading success throughout their lives.

Every activity at the Academy is an opportunity to build your child’s vocabulary. On any given day, we may discuss the sizes, colors, and shapes of objects your child is playing with, or of objects in the room. We may point out the position of objects using location words (on, off, in, out, behind, on top of, over, under, etc.). This gives your child the language to describe the world around them.

Did you know how to handle a book is an early literacy skill? At the Academy, we include book etiquette as part of our early literacy and language curriculum. We teach children how to hold a book right-side-up and start reading at the front of the book. We show them how to turn pages one at a time and treat books with care. We also help your child understand that books live in a special place, and that we need to put them back when we are finished reading. 

Critical thinking is your child’s ability to evaluate a situation. This may be a real-world situation or something they encounter as they read or learn. Critical thinking questions encourage higher-order thinking that builds your child’s ability to think abstractly, make connections between two concepts, and solve problems. Higher-order thinking is what helps your child be a creative, evaluative, and innovative learner throughout their lives.

Developing higher-order thinking skills starts in early literacy. Here are some of the questions we ask our young readers during and after story times:

• What do you see in the pictures?
  
• Why do you think that character is acting that way?
• What will happen next?
• What was your favorite part?
• Which character would you want to be?
• How would you change the ending?
  

Finally, our teachers understand that developing your child’s early literacy and language skills is a joint effort. We encourage you to spend at least 20 minutes every day reading with your children. Reading at home is an enjoyable way to connect with your child, expand their knowledge of the world, and help them process strong emotions. 

Here’s how you can build early literacy and language skills at home with your kiddos:

• Choose stories or topics that interest your child.
• Find books with words that will expand their spoken language.
  
• Include informational books, such as books on animals, nature, trucks, space, etc.
• Ask your child to identify the letters they know and teach them the sounds those letters make.
• Use your finger to track the words as you read.
• Ask your child the critical thinking questions we use at the Academy.

At Early Childhood Academy, our teachers are committed to building your child’s early literacy and language skills throughout their time with us, from infancy to preschool. To learn more about our literacy curriculum or to schedule a tour of one of our location, get in touch with us today!

We are committed to providing high quality early childhood education to the community. We believe that all children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we are dedicated to providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.

If you are looking for a high-quality early childhood education program for your child, we encourage you to contact us today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule a tour of our academy.

The summer transition is coming. Is your family ready? Transitioning to a summer schedule can be challenging for families. With some planning and consistency, you can help your kids adjust as smoothly as possible. Whether you’ve got school-aged kids who are impatiently awaiting the end of the school year or your family is switching to a more relaxed summer childcare schedule, Early Childhood Academy is here to help.

Children of all ages thrive on routine. Big, sudden changes to your family’s daily routine is what makes the summer transition difficult for little kids and big kids alike. Take a moment to write down your family’s current routine, including wake times, meal times, and when your children play, rest, and go to bed. Which activities are non-negotiable, and which ones offer some flexibility? We suggest using your current wake times, nap/rest times, bedtimes, and meals/snacks as your anchors for the day and add flexibility around these anchors.

Keeping your child’s sleep routine consistent can help make the transition to summer easier. But sometimes, your summer schedule requires changes to bedtime and wake time. Your school-aged kiddos could be looking forward to later bedtimes and lazy summer mornings. Or, you may need to get them up early for camp or a full day of fun at Early Childhood Academy. If you want or need to adjust your child’s sleep schedule, start one to two weeks before the transition occurs. Shift bedtime or wake-up time by 15 to 30 minutes every few days until you’re on your desired schedule.

Whether you decide to change your child’s sleep times or not, keep your bedtime rituals in place. Continue to offer a snack, read books, take a bath, or anything else that’s part of your family’s bedtime routine.  

Physical activity can help kids adjust to the summer transition. Movement helps kids (and parents!) reduce stress and anxiety. It also improves sleep. Get your kids outside and moving as much as possible during the day. You could take them to a playground, arrange a play date, run around in your yard, enroll them in sports, visit a park or nature center, or take a walk or bike ride around your neighborhood.

If you’re stressing about the summer transition, chances are high that your kids are, too. Children look to us for how to mentally and emotionally process change. If they sense we are stressed, they will think that is how they should react. So, fake it until you make it, don’t let them see you sweat, and model healthy habits by sticking with your routine, keeping to your own sleep schedule, and moving your body.

No matter how much planning and preparation you do, the summer transition can still be stressful for some kids. Be patient with them and yourself during this time. Offer reassurance and support to anxious kids. Be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned. Once the transition is done, summer fun awaits!
Making the transition to your summer routine can be stressful. The Early Childhood Academy team is here to help our families make the change to a summer schedule go more smoothly. Not part of the Academy’s family yet? Schedule your tour today.

We’re a few weeks into the school year—how’s the transition going in your house? If getting your little human to school or child care is still a struggle, here are 5 transition tips that might make the transition easier for them (and you!).

New school, new teachers, new classmates . . . back to school can be intimidating, even if your child went to school or child care last year. The best thing you can do as a parent is validate their feelings, whether they are feeling anxious, fearful, or stressed. Give the feeling a label, talk about why they may be feeling that way, and then offer a solution. If possible, remind them of all the fun they had at school last year. You can even flip through photos on your phone or old artwork if you’d like. Remind them of other big challenges they have overcome to build their confidence.   

Establishing a healthy bedtime routine can help make the morning transition go more smoothly. The 3Bs of Bath, Book, and Bed is a formula that works for many families. Just be sure to avoid screen time before bed, as that can make it difficult for your little one to fall asleep. Generally, infants need 12 to 16 hours of sleep, including naps. Toddlers require 11 to 14 hours, and preschoolers require 10-13 hours including naps.

If your little one is struggling with the fear of the unknown and lack of control heading back to school, establishing a ritual for leaving your home could help. Follow the same order of tasks, from getting dressed and eating breakfast to putting on shoes and coats and walking out the door. Consider reading a book or singing a song before you leave, then finishing the book or singing the song again once your child returns from school.

Speaking of ritual, it can help to put one in place for goodbyes, too. A special hug, kiss, or mantra can make separation easier. Make it brief, fun, and affirming. Once the ritual is complete, walk out the door with confidence. Prolonging a goodbye can make it more difficult for your Transition Tips for Small Children to School.

Kids are pros at picking up on our own anxieties. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about the back to school transition, then you need to manage your own emotions before you can support your child through theirs. Your kiddo looks to you to know how to feel about a particular situation. So, keep it light, bright, and positive, then work through your own big emotions once your child is in the classroom.     

Struggling with the back to school transition? The Early Childhood Academy pros are here to help! Contact Us Today or Call Us at Red Wing 651-388-8905. Please Stay Connected With Us Through Our Social Media Channels for the Latest Updates, Tips, and Special Offers on Facebook and Instagram, Check Our Google Map Location.

Establish a routine, familiarize yourself with the school layout, connect with peers, seek support from teachers, and maintain a positive mindset.

1. Establish a routine: Set a consistent schedule to help your child adjust to the school environment smoothly.u003cbru003e2. Foster independence: Encourage your child to develop self-help skills such as dressing, using the restroom, and organizing their belongings.u003cbru003e3. Communication is key. Maintain open lines of communication with your child’s teacher to stay updated on their progress and address any concerns.u003cbru003e4. Provide emotional support: Help your child navigate their emotions by discussing their feelings about starting school and offering reassurance and encouragement.

Establishing a consistent routine and schedule for your child is a crucial first step. This offers them a sense of security and helps them understand what to expect throughout the day. You can use visuals, such as charts or calendars, to represent their daily activities – from waking up to bedtime routines. For example, you might color code different activities or use fun stickers to make it more engaging.