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Three Things Water Play Teaches Kids 1. IT’S GOOD TO TAKE THE PLUNGE.
Sometimes the only way to tackle something big — whether it’s the pool or making new friends at school — is to take a deep breath and dive right in. Kids learn to trust that they will get used to cold water; that they can be brave and introduce themselves to someone new; and that bold moves are a chance to show everyone what you’re made of. The world is your diving board, so cannonball in!
2. EVERYTHING’S BETTER WITH FRIENDS.
What do water slides and school have in common? They’re much more fun with friends! Friends are like the flotation device of life — they’re reliable and strong, and always there when you’re afraid you just might sink. Plus, they’re good for giggles and laughs.
3. IT’S GOOD TO RELAX.
We all need time to relax. If you struggle in the water and try to do too much at once, you’ll never be able to let go and float. So don’t be afraid to take a break from homework or practice, because balance is key. Work hard, swim strong, but always be sure to relax and let yourself float around once in a while.
KINDERGARTEN... READY, OR NOT? Kindergarten readiness is tied to longterm academic success — so is your child ready? Parents with children soon to enter kindergarten know that the milestone can still be stressful. How do you know if your child is ready? What skills does he need? Should you consider redshirting him? Some educators have concerns that children’s school readiness skills are lacking because of too much time on tech devices in formative years. But before you rip that iPad out of your child’s hands, take a closer look. Most kids do just fine with the transition into school, and continued preparation on your part in the form of real-life experiences (as opposed to formal workbooks or apps) can go a long way. Is your child ready for school?
4 TOP TIPS 1) COMMUNICATION SKILLS Sharing one’s thoughts, wants and needs as well as understanding the thoughts, wants and needs of others. 2) INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-REGULATION Being able to complete age-appropriate tasks (using the bathroom, washing hands, dressing) without assistance and controlling emotions and behaviors. 3) PROBLEM SOLVING, COLLABORATION, FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS Knowing how to play with other children, work with other children and teachers, and solve the hundreds of small problems that may come up every day. 4) SOCIAL SKILLS Successfully interacting and sharing experiences with peers as well as adults. This involves turn taking, initiating and concluding conversations, and using appropriate gestures, facial
expressions and intonations, among other things.
INDEPENDENCE 1) TIE SHOES Let your child practice it in steps. For the first few days, teach him to do the X and go through the first loop (the easy part). Do this over and over. Let him tie everything (cushions on chairs, your shoes, a bow on a present). Yes, he will get frustrated. Your job is to stay calm and encourage him. It will take about a week. Remember that when you want to jump in and tie it for him in a rush, or you see him struggling, that you need to STOP doing that for him. 2) OPEN A JUICE BOX Even if you don’t send them with your child, parties and in-school celebrations will often include juice boxes. Teach him how to open one step-bystep: Remove the straw, open it, insert it into the juice box, drink it, throw it all away (do not wait for the teacher to come by and get it). 3) GETTING WHAT HE NEEDS You want your child to take responsibility for himself. Think about if he breaks his pencil in class. Will he know that he needs to raise his hand to get another one? A child needs to learn that he needs to get up, get in line and take care of his needs. No one is going to do it for him. Remember, you’re raising him to be a responsible adult. 4) KNOW THE BASICS Does your child know his first and last name, phone number, address? Don’t send him out “into the world” without this information. If you’re not sure he will remember, write it down and slip the paper in his shoe … just in case he forgets.
RED SHIRTING? Delaying your child’s start at the PreK or kindergarten level — known as academic redshirting — is on the rise as parents grapple with cut-off dates that force them to decide whether they want their children to be among the oldest in their class or the youngest. But whether your child enters kindergarten as a young 5-year-old or older 5-year-old or young 6-year-old, a vast majority of the kids are all going to be reading at the same level by third grade, per Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Before you make a concrete decision about whether to redshirt your child, ask yourself these questions: • Why would you want to hold your child back for one more year? What makes you feel he isn’t ready right now? • Has your child been in preschool? If so, what was his experience like? Did he do well there? • Will your child be able to meet the expectations of the particular kindergarten program you want him to attend? • Do you feel your child needs extra time to build social skills? • If you’re going to redshirt your child, how do you plan to use the additional year to prepare him for kindergarten the following school year?
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Adventures Await Kindergarteners by Sherry Hang Kindergarten teachers understand that little kids get squirmy and have loads of energy, so at Bethany School a kindergarten day has to include lots of, well, flexibility. “Instead of ‘High School Musical,’ it’s ‘Kindergarten Musical!’” says Karen Gately, a kindergarten teacher at Bethany School private school for grades K – 8 in Glendale. “We randomly break into song and dance around here,” she adds. But the fun, songs and dance are not without meaning. A song is sometimes a good way to start the day and bring everyone together, says fellow kindergarten teacher Deanna Brooksbank. In fact, most activities that take place in the K classroom have real purpose behind them. Work doesn’t always look like work. “It looks like playing, but it’s structured play, so there’s real learning going on,” she explains, describing a recent activity that looked like students were working on a puzzle but were in fact piecing together letters of the alphabet and learning their correct order.
ON THE MOVE!
A typical kindergarten day keeps children on the move. “We hit all the subjects,” says Brooksbank, ticking off academics like science, reading and math. “This is not for the ‘faint-of-heart’ kindergartener! We will play, but there is work to do.” Whether a child’s in art, gym, music, science or reading, a kindergartener at Bethany is exposed to multiple teachers, multiple changes in scenery, and even multiple opportunities to “get out the wiggles” in order to help stay focused while having fun. Recess is shared with first graders, so the children are around “big kids” as well as the teachers who will guide them next year. Dramatic playtime allows children to use their imaginations, but also learn how to cooperate with each other. “You can see it building compassion,” says Gately.
CREATING A SUCCESSFUL KINDERGARTENER
An enthusiastic teacher is key to creating a successful kindergarten – and lifelong – student. “Kindergarten is like an unexpected adventure waiting to happen every day,” says Brooksbank. “You have to be flexible and see where the students take you – sometimes even physically … You just never know what is around the corner, and that’s what makes being a kindergarten teacher so exciting!” “The student-teacher ratio is amazing here,” says Gately. “It makes my teacher heart happy!” Teaching a smaller class makes for less crowd management and more learning time – a critical factor in a young student’s success because it allows for more one-on-one time. Plus, teachers are free to meet individual needs. Bethany Kindergarten classes allow for a total of 15 children in each homeroom. With a few spots left, there is still time to enroll this year. Combined with aides, learner support, and a lot of parent communication via phones in the classroom, apps, emails and of course, personal meetings, Gately and Brooksbank are enthusiastic about their ability to prepare their students for when they get to be the “big kids” at recess.
All photos courtesy of Bethany School.
HOMEWORK SET-UPS Setting up the ideal homework station is one of the keys to academic success! “Designate a quiet, well-lit place in the home away from distraction so that kids can focus on their work,” says Samantha Jasper, owner of Treehouse Kids Co. “It may be the kitchen table or an area close to you, so you can assist with questions and help them stay on desk. Distractions like TV, smartphones and tablets should be avoided unless they are being used for the assignment. Jasper also advises to keep the computer or laptop in a common area so you can ensure your child doesn’t get distracted.
Setting the Scene Start out with a simple — but fun — desk to inspire your child toward homework. Check out the white CAMPAIGN DESK from Land of Nod (landofnod.com; $399). It fits into small areas and is sized just right for kids. Pair your desk with a cool chair to keep her comfy during long stretches. The Christopher Knight Home BALL CHAIR (target.com; $79.99) is just the thing! Light up the space with a funky, cool lamp! Inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, the NESSIE by LumiSource (lumisource. com; $29.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond) has a bendable neck to allow kids to shine the light exactly where they want it. It features color-changing LEDS; easily turn the light on or change the color settings with a squeeze. Bonus: When extended, it stands 24 inches tall! Keeping up with date-specific assignments is key: Hang a calendar on the wall without leaving a mark with the HONEYCOMB MONTHLY CALENDAR by Wall Pops (wallpops.com; $17.99). It’s peel-and-stick and dry-erase. Let your
child fill in key info: writing it down helps with memorization!
The Carry-All Unhappy with the backpack you bought at the start of school? Try the new BACKPACK styles from Jansport (jansport.com; $36 and up). The brand’s known for its durability. Your child can really stand out with the SPIKETUS REX by Mad Pax (madpax. com; $15 - $60) — it’ll help you spot him in the crowd come pick up time. Available in multiple sizes — Full Pack ($60), Half Pack ($46), The Nibbler ($28) and the Mighty Bite ($15) — in a variety of colors, too. Want kids to really own their studies? Personalize the accessories! Dibsies Personalization Station (dibsies.
com) will do the trick. Personalize a SIDEKICK BACKPACKS (like the Smarty Owl for $44.98) or the TRENDSETTER BACKPACK (like the Sports version for $44.98). goods. Dibsies has even more fun with cool PERSONALIZED PENCIL CASES ($19.95 $21.95).
HOMEWORK STRATEGIES 1. A DESK IN THE BEDROOM This option is ideal for students who need a designated work space away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the family. While a bedroom desk may not be the best choice for students who need homework help or frequent reminders to stay on task, it works well for both older students and selfmotivated learners. Consider a high loft bed with a desk underneath when floor space is at a premium. 2. A FAMILY WORK ZONE Some families designate an entire room in their house as a family work zone, equipping the space with computers and printers as well as a table or desk for writing and big, comfy chairs for reading and studying. Art and craft supplies are often found here too, since these rooms are designed with both creativity and productivity in mind. 3. CENTRAL COMMAND CENTER Love the idea of a family work zone, but don’t have the space? A small desk in the kitchen or family room can serve as a work space for the whole family, too, especially when there are cabinets for storage either above or below. Think about where you keep items like calendars, school papers and the family computer in your home.
4. A MULTI-PURPOSE OFFICE Mom or Dad’s home office can easily double as your family’s homework headquarters. Standard office supplies will already be on hand, and it’s a room that has already been designed with work in mind. For younger students, clear a space on the desk or tuck a small table and chair into a corner of the room so they can work on their assignments while you work on yours. 5. A ROLLING HOMEWORK CART Need some flexibility in your life? Keep in mind that a homework headquarters doesn’t have to be stationary. Invest in a rolling homework cart, and students can do homework almost anywhere in the house. Notebooks, file folders, writing supplies, paper and even laptops and printers can be stored on these carts, especially if you invest in one with at least three shelves. 6. THE KITCHEN TABLE Despite objections from parents, the kitchen table remains a popular homework spot among kids. There’s just something so appealing (and convenient) about spreading your books and papers across the very surface where your family eats dinner every evening. If this is the study space your kids insist on using, keep it clutter-free by insisting that supplies are stored elsewhere and try to limit other household distractions during homework hours. Creating a designated study space within your home, whether simple or elaborate, sends the message that your family values both homework and education. It’s one of the easiest – but most important – things you can do to help your children achieve school year success.
FREE HOMEWORK HELP You know, sometimes your child’s not going to get the work! When your child hits a snag, have her get in touch with the libraries!
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY
cincinnatilibrary.org
HOMEWORK CHAT Get online and connect with real, expert tutors seven days a week from 2 - 11 p.m. in all core subjects in grades 3 - 12. You’ll need your library card number and pin number. Once you select your grade and subject, you’ll be connected for a one-on-one session in an online classroom. HOMEWORK CENTRAL If you want to meet in person, students in grades K - 12 can visit the Homework Central at the Main Library (800 Vine St., Cincinnati). They are there seven days a week (Mon 3 - 8 p.m., Tue - Fri 3 - 6 p.m., Sat 2 - 6 p.m. and Sun 1 - 5 p.m.). You can get homework help, tutoring, study/organizational skills help, internet access, educational books and more.
KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY kentonlibrary.org
Use the free online resources to get the help you need. You can also chat with a librarian that can help you answer questions, too. The library also provides several links for students to find additional homework help.
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GETTING INTO PRIVATE SCHOOL What does the RIGHT school for your child look like? Are classes academically challenging with low teacher/student ratios? Do you want your child to have more advanced arts experiences? Does the ideal educational experience eliminate teaching to the test? Do you want a large emphasis on athletics? Many parents don’t think about the kind of education they want their children to have until it’s time to hunt for a preschool, but think again. There’s a wide variety of private school options in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and all kids are different. Some kids thrive in a highly structured environment; others in a more creative one.
approach,” he says, adding that parents often turn to private schools when they feel something isn’t working in their child’s current education environment, whether it’s academics, or the social or extracurricular portion. “Private schools have the luxury to take the time to work on things besides academics,” Kellenberger points out, adding that without as much required testing, time is freed up to focus on critical life skills like time management. Kelley Schiess, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management and Special Projects at The Summit Country Day School, suggests the following questions and topics to consider:
By Dori Richards • Is the school accredited and, if so, by what accrediting body? • Discuss mission focus, academic rigor, quality of teaching, quality of faculty, instruction approach, and curriculum offered • Discuss faith-based perspective, methodology, philosophy, whole child focus and development, and opportunities outside the classroom • Inquire about what kind of student is successful at this school? What is the profile of a typical student? • What is the admission process and how are students evaluated? • Is it possible to sit in on a class?
Imagine the School
• Is it possible for your child, depending on age, to spend a day or half day at the school attending classes?
First, sit down and think about what you believe would be the ideal learning situation for your child. Ask yourself what are you looking for, suggests Aaron Kellenberger, Director of Enrollment Management at Cincinnati Country Day School. “At what step are you looking to start private school?” he says. “Do you want to start your child right away, or put it off until he’s in Kindergarten or even older?” He points out that parents often start looking at private schools when kids get older, class size gets bigger, and academics get more rigorous. “Parents realize they want a more personal
• What are the financial expectations of families in addition to tuition? • Are there scholarship opportunities? • What is the diversity/ • Does the school provide bus transportation? • What are parent involvement opportunities like? • If the school you visit includes high school, find out where graduation seniors are going to college and the average SAT scores. “Parents should begin having these conversations eight months to a year prior to enrolling Students at Cincinnati Country Day School.
Students at The Summit Country Day School.
their child,” says Schiess. In fact, planning well in advance is key when it comes to private schools. “The Montessori School is a prime entry point for The Summit Country Day School and space is limited,” says Schiess. “The Summit has several Montessori admission deadlines for the 2016 - 2017 school year so we request that families follow the appropriate timelines located on our website. Typically visitation programs begin in the fall. Application and evaluation deadlines immediately follow.” Kellenberger also emphasizes the need to start early, especially as pre-primary programs are in high demand and space is limited. It’s also important to know your child and consider where he might feel comfortable. “You know your kid best,” says Kellenberger. He advises parents first visit a school on their own, and if they like what they see, return with the child and let him spend time with teachers and classmates. And if old enough, consider his opinion when making your decision – after all, he’s the one who will spend the most time there.
Your Child’s Needs Information about programs for kids with special needs, or who are gifted, will give you an idea of how well the school meets individual student needs. “Parents should ask questions about what support
services are provided within the school and/or what may be required from outside sources,” says Schiess. “Parents interested in gifted programs should inquire about enrichment and/or accelerated curriculum.” Kellenberger advises parents to be up front about their children’s needs, as private schools have more limited resources than public schools. “Bring your most recent assessment,” he suggests. “We share that with our learning specialists to determine if we think we can help them be successful.”
A Word on Finance A private education is an investment, no doubt about it. But it might be more affordable than you think, especially with scholarships, tuition assistance and payment plan options. Says Schiess, “Sending your child to The Summit represents an investment in your child’s future, and we recognize that choosing our school requires a significant commitment to financial planning. The Summit is committed to assisting families by making our educational program affordable. For example, we allocated over $3.8 million in need-based tuition assistance and merit scholarships to qualifying students for the 2016 – 2017 school year.” It’s an investment that’s well worth the money. As Schiess points out, The Summit’s 92 graduates from the Class of 2016 received over $15.2 million in scholarship offers from colleges and universities across the country. “Don’t rule out private school because of cost,” says Kellenberger, adding that Cincinnati Country Day School operates much like a college in that it offers need and merit-based scholarships. Instead, ask yourself the question of whether you want to invest in your child’s education before he graduates high school, or save it for the day he heads off to college. Both options are good, and it may just depend on your child and what works best for him.
SCHOOL VISITS HOLD THE KEY
Listen to yourself when you visit potential schools for your child. Think back. Would you have wanted to go to school here?
ENVIRONMENT A stable school environment is best for kids. If teacher turnover is high, that’s a red flag. However, if there’s a new principal, some turnover might be a good thing. PHILOSOPHIES These can range from traditional to highly religious, to open and innovative to everything in between. Ultimately, the choice of schools that you and your child make should be because it’s the best educational experience for your child. Knowing your child and understanding the school will bring you to the right match. CLASSROOM Look for a feeling of welcome organization and for displays of student work, not prefab posters. When it comes to class size, smaller is best. TEACHERS The teachers determine what happens for your kids in the year. How does the school handle professional development for its teaching staff? Are any of them National Board Certified? If they are, it shows that the school is attracting and keeping good teachers. ASSESSMENT Tests shouldn’t be the only way to measure student success; look for student portfolios and teacher evaluations as well. If a school’s test scores are high, delve deeper. What is that school doing to keep the scores high? EXTRACURRICULARS Make sure the school you select offers lots of extracurricular classes that fit your child’s interests.
Make sure what your child learns this year lasts for years to come.
• Quality care for ages 6 weeks to 12 years • State-of-the-art Academy including a computer lab • Master and bachelor degree lead teachers with experience • Summer camp and before & after school programs • Infant, toddler, & preschool programs
Give your child everything needed to prepare for school and for life with Life Essentials.
• Private full day kindergarten • Secure web cameras in every room
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• Hot, nutritious lunch and snacks served daily • Secure entry doors with touch screen • Age appropriate academic curriculum • Part-time and flexible schedules available New West Chester location opening late fall:
8178 Highland Pointe Drive
513-234-0699
6202 Snider Road • Mason, OH 45040 www.kiddieacademy.com/Mason
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