KC Parent Education Guide

Special Advertising Section

Building Blocks Interactive Education Guide available at KCParent.com

Building Blocks is a privately owned and operated child development center for children ages 2½ - pre-kindergarten. At Building Blocks our goal is to enable your child to learn and experience life though a hands-on approach in an atmosphere where they feel good about themselves and the world around them. Field trips, computer classes and summer swimming lessons are also offered at an additional fee.

Building Blocks is located at College & Lackman in Southlake Technology Park. 913.888.7244. See display ad on pg. 18. www.BuildingBlocksCDC.com

Special Beginnings Early Learning

KC Parent’s

Education Guide

Early Childhood

All 4 KIDS Christian Day Care & Preschool Offering full- and part-time daycare and preschool for ages 1-5, our focus is to provide a Christian learning environment while helping parents to grow the whole child both spiritu-

Special Beginnings Early Learning Center

ally and intellectually. Our age based Christian curriculum will promote the love of reading, the world of numbers, values and character building.

Quality teachers will sing, read, talk and listen, and your child will feel secure in their home away from home. 913.764.0300. See display ad on pg. 19.

Summit

Christian Academy

PT or FT schedule now open at 6:00 am

M-F 6 am to 6 pm

Infants to 12 years Serving Over 660 Preschool-12th Grade Students

Quality Christian early care and education for over 20 years!

OLATHE

Infants-Prekindergarten 14169 Murlen Rd 913.393.2223

OVERLAND PARK Infants-School Age 8205 W 108th Terr 913-378-1075

College Preparatory • College Credit Courses International Program • Athletics • Fine Arts Biblical Worldview • 13:1 Student/Teacher Ratio 36-Acre Campus Located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri Member-Missouri State High School Activities Association

For a personalized tour of our campus, call 816.525.1480.

LENEXA

10216 Pflumm Rd, 913-894-0131 Register TODAY & receive $100 credit upon enrollment!

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realschoolspirit.org SCA admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Serving the community for over 20 years, Special Beginnings has 4 JOCO locations in Lenexa, Olathe and Overland Park. Special Beginnings provides a quality program within a safe, loving, Christian environment. The programs have earned NAC national accreditation. Well-balanced, pre-academic curriculum includes art, music, cooking, and an innovative early wellness program. Serving infant through school age children. Open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. M-F. See display ad to receive a $100 tuition credit. See display ad on pg. 16. www.SpecialBeginningsOnline.com

St. Paul’s Preschool Serving children 2-5 yrs., our caring staff is dedicated to early childhood education and family relationships, highlighting all the “basics” needed for a successful entry to kindergarten while offering so much more! Unique components include, the “Art Studio” introduction to master artists,” Jesus and Me” Montessori curriculum, “Nature Adventures” outdoor exploration, “GrandFriends” intergenerational program, and “Music Instruction.” The Learning Center environment is nestled in a wooded park-like setting. 913.631.0101. See display ad on pg. 19. www.StPaulsLenexa.org

Wee Workshop Wee Workshop has been serving Southern Johnson County for nearly twenty-two years as a family owned business. Full time childcare is offered for ages two weeks to five years. After school and full time summer care is also provided.

Additional programs offered include part-time Preschool for ages three to five during the school year, and Mother’s Day Out for ages one and two.

We’re open year round, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Call 913.681.2190 (OP) or 913.681.2191 (Stilwell) for more information. See KC Parent ad on pg. 18 for a money saving coupon. www.WeeWorkshopChildCare.com

education guide Elementary - High School

Brookridge Day School We believe that the secret to learning is within the child rather than the method. We offer an education with positive, enriching experiences inside a loving environment. Our goal is to create a classroom where the child is exposed to as many different ways to learn as possible, enhancing the probability of successful learning for every learner. Ballet, tap, gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do offered on campus. Before & after school care included. Tours: 913.649.2228. See display ad on pg. 17. www.BrookridgeDaySchool.com

Faith Academy Committed to training up leaders through educating students in a Christ-centered environment, Faith Academy delivers a quality Christian and college preparatory education. Our pre-school has an enriched curriculum focusing on phonics, reading and math. Students enjoy a state-of-theart basketball and volleyball facility. Our after school program consists of computer classes taught in our technology center, dance, drama, art and music. Enrolling students age 6 weekshigh school. 816.455.2847. See display ad on pg.

18. www.FaithAcademyKC.org

Heritage Christian Academy Heritage Christian Academy is a Christ-centered Pre-K to 12th grade college preparatory school in south Johnson County. Heritage integrates academic excellence with a Biblical worldview in a nurturing environment. The School’s goal is to develop the God-given potential of each unique student by educating the whole person. In addition to the commitment to academic excellence, Heritage offers a dynamic fine arts and athletic program. For more information contact the central office at 913.681.7622. See display ad on pg.

20. www.HCAKC.org

Maranatha Academy Those who believe a quality education should include an emphasis on the development of Christian character, wisdom beyond the accumulation of information and knowledge, and a lifestyle of service and responsible citizenship would feel right at home at Maranatha Academy. Besides a rigorous academic curriculum, students have many avenues in which to excel, including athletics, visual or performing arts, National Honor Society, Scholar Bowl, student council, community service, yearbook, journalism, and more. 913.631.0637. See display ad on pg. 17. www.MA-KC.org

Accredited Kindergarten thru 3rd Grade Recognized as a Kansas School of Excellence Parent Friendly Hours - 6:45 am to 6:00 pm Full-time/Part-time Preschool Available Minutes from 69 Hwy., I-35 & I-435 Tuesday, February 7th “Grader Scholarly Scoop” 7 P.M. Open Enrollment begins Monday, February 13th kcparent.com february 2012

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education guide

A

uditory, kinesthetic, visual—you’ve probably heard these terms before.

They are the three main types of learning styles and can influence how your child does in school and at home. Most people usually fall into one category, with a little overlap occasionally. Sometimes your child doesn’t learn like you at all. Maybe you are a kinesthetic learner, and he or she is a visual learner. Learning what style your child prefers can help in many areas and is important for their long-term success.

“It is important for parents and teachers to know and respect each student’s learning styles, because those are the tools they will use to learn throughout the rest of their lives,” Susan Lynn, mother of three and Spanish teacher at Liberty North High School, says. “It is our job to help them get the most out of how their brains work.”

your child’s learning style what it is and why it’s important to know

Wee Workshop

Child Development Center Ages Two weeks to Twelve Years Part Time Preschool Mom’s Day Out Two Convenient Locations: 127th Antioch & 162nd Metcalf Ave 913.681.2190 913.681.2191 weeworkshopchildcare.com Locally Owned and Operated!

FREE

Enjoy one week of FREE child care after 3 weeks at either location!

“I try to cover all of the types of learning in my classroom. I lecture for those that need to hear it as well as review it at the beginning and end of every day. I provide handouts, notes on Blackboard and an online textbook for those that need to read it; I show video clips, act things out, do hand gestures and other activities and labs for those that are visual and kinesthetic,” Misty Black, mother of two and science teacher at Liberty North High School, says.

Lynn also mentions that sometimes it is good to challenge a child to learn outside his comfort zone. “Current brain research seems to show that we also benefit a lot from things we struggle to learn. Easily learned things are also easily forgotten, but if learning it was a challenge, it sticks with us better,” Lynn says.

Studies also have shown that boys and girls learn differently. Recognizing early on the differences between your children can help you in assisting them with their schoolwork and chores at home.

Once you have determined the learning styles of your children, here are some tips to help them learn the best way possible:

FAITH ACADEMY TRAINING UP LEADERS TO IMPACT GENERATIONS

“The Building Blocks for your Child’s Future”

NURSERY TO HIGH SCHOOL NOW ENROLLING

“The Building Blocks for your Child’s Future”

4300 N. CORRINGTON AVE, KANSAS CITY MO 64117

816-455-2847 • www.faithacademykc.org Our programs include Performing Arts, Sports, Leadership Academy, and Bible Institute.

Child Development Center • Preschool, Pre-kindergarten & Child Care • Starting at age 2 1/2 • Open 7:00 am - 6:00 pm • Located at College & Lackman in Southlake Technology Park • Privately owned & operated

913.888.7244

New families only. Limited time only. One coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offer. Coupon void if altered. Part-time preschool program excluded. Exp. 3.31.12.

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www.buildingblockscdc.com

ENROLLING NOW!

U Auditory: • Listen to audio books, or have someone read the textbook to them.

• Have them explain answers to you.

• Create mnemonic devices that they say out loud for memorization.

• Watch You Tube videos or listen to podcasts on a particular lesson.

• Participate in group discussions where they have to explain their answers.

I

Kinsethic: • Do hands-on activities, such as sculpting, building, playing.

• Create a song, rap or a dance to help review a certain idea.

• Study in short breaks; don’t try to sit still too long.

• Use flash cards to help memorize concepts.

• Use objects to help with math: If you have 6 cookies and take away 4, how many are left?

N

Visual: • Ask for handouts and notes in paper form; most teachers are happy to share notes.

• Make charts, graphs, timelines, etc. to help remember information.

• Use flash cards so that information is presented visually.

• Draw a picture to represent a concept.

• Use color-coded highlighters for notes in class.

Take this quick quiz to discover your child’s learning style 1. You want to spend quality time with your child, so you ask her what type of game she’d like to play with you. She’s most likely to recommend: a) A fun word game. b) An active game. c) A video game.

2. You’re having an important conversation with your child about the importance of not getting into the car with strangers. While you’re talking, your child is most likely to: a) Listen to you without budging. b) Not be able to give you her full attention. c) Watch your lips moving and your gesticulations.

3. Your child is learning the alphabet. During this crucial learning phase, he is most likely to practice his ABCs by: a) Singing the alphabet b) Playing with letter-shaped blocks. c) Writing the alphabet.

4. Your child has just solved a jigsaw puzzle and is very proud of herself. She is most likely to: a) Run and tell you about it. b) Take the puzzle apart so that you can watch her put it back together again. c) Call you in to show you the finished product.

5. During your child’s alone time, he is most likely to: a) Watch TV. b) Play a game. c) Read a book or write a story.

Mostly A answers: You’ve got an auditory learner.

Mostly B answers: You’ve got a kinesthetic learner.

Mostly C answers: You’ve got a visual learner.

Quiz from Parenting.Quiz.kAboose.com

Jennifer Higgins is a free-lance writer, mother and teacher from Kearney, MO. She is primarily a visual learner.

Partnering with families to develop confident, balanced children with a desire for life long learning and spiritual growth.

Music

Art

Nature

Jesus

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2012-13 7740 Lackman Rd. Lenexa, KS 66217 913-631-0101 www.stpaulslenexa.org kcparent.com february 2012

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education guide Missouri Military Academy Missouri Military Academy is one of the premier all-boy private military boarding schools in the country. Educating young men in grades 6-12 for more than 120 years. MMA has an impressive record of college admission and thousands of accomplished alumni who have assumed positions of authority in business, finance, law, education, the arts and the military. Located in Mexico, Mo., MMA’s boarding and activities programs offer 11 varsity sports, marching band, drama, Army JROTC, Cadet Chorus, drill team and Boy Scouts. For more information see our website. 573.581.1776. See display ad on pg. 32. www.MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org

Summit Christian Academy (SCA) South Johnson County’s Largest Christ-Centered

Pre K-12th Gr ade College Prepar atory School Currently Serving more than 475 students • Nurturing Environment • Limited Class Size • Dynamic Fine Arts Program • Athletics/Band beginning in 5th grade • College Prep Curriculum • Honors & Dual Credits Kindergarten Round Up February 9th – 9:45-11:15 am Elementary Open House February 16, 9-11 am March 8, 9-11 am April 12, 9-11 am Junior/Senior High Campus Tours are available upon request.

east campus (Elementary/Central Office) 9333 West 159th Street Overland Park, KS 66221 P 913.681.7622

west campus (Junior/Senior High) 16000 Blackbob Road Olathe, KS 66062 P 913.782.3262

Visit

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for more information.

SCA is a college-preparatory, nondenominational Christian school in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. Serving over 660 students from preschool through 12th grade, SCA is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the North Central Association. The 36-acre campus includes both an elementary and secondary facility. SCA offers extensive extracurricular activities including fine arts, athletics, and academic groups. Teachers are fully certified and are chosen for their ability to inspire students. Call 816.525.1480 or email scoats@sca-kc.org to schedule a private tour or appointment. See display ad on pg. 16. www.Summit-Christian-Academy.org

Enrichment

Rapid Road to Reading The Rapid Road to Reading learning center provides one-to-one interactive instruction for students K- 6th grade. Our program incorporates a variety of instructional methods that result in high rates of literacy achievement. While learning to recognize the sounds of letter combinations and sight words, students master skills needed to crack the code of reading. The emphasis on expanding our students’ vocabulary and teaching them to associate nouns with images and verbs with actions is integral to improving reading comprehension. 913.317.5515. See display ad on pg. 19. www.RapidRoadToReading.com

Parent/Teacher Conference Tips

February is the month when many area schools hold parent/teacher conferences. Conference time can be stressful for parents, students and teachers, but it’s important to just RELAX! Everyone at the conference has the same goal: working together to ensure the best school experience for your child.

Be Prepared. Write down any questions or concerns you or your child may have. Think about your child’s areas of strength and areas where improvement is needed. Take notes during your conference.

Communicate With Kids. Children worry and wonder about what their parents and teachers say at conferences. Alleviate their fears by sharing with them what you and the teacher discussed.

Talk as Well as Listen. After all, no one knows your child better than you!