Kindergarten is fast approaching...

by Meghan Hamilton

Preschool graduations across the nation are only a few months away. Little graduates donning their caps and gowns will take their first steps toward their educational journey known as elementary school. For most children this is an exciting day; one filled with joyous anticipation of the new friends they will meet and the things they will learn. For their parents, however, it is a completely different story. Parents are beginning to worry whether their child is "ready" for this big step known as Kindergarten and if they have done enough to help prepare them for that much anticipated first day.

As early educators we can calm their fears; reassuring them that their beloved angels are indeed "ready" and all they have to do is step back and watch them fly.

BUT...

With Common Core now having been implemented in most schools across the US and as standards for young students continuing to rise, calming parent fears becomes more and more difficult. We now have to ask ourselves if we are operating our early education programs with our eyes wide open to what is expected of children once they enter elementary education?

Do we even know what is expected of them during that first year?

Being aware of Common Core standards for Kindergarten and first grade will create a sense of trust between you and the parents in your program. They will trust that your program (no matter the educational approach) has prepared their little one for the school years that lay ahead.

The Common Core can be worked into any method, philosophy and educational approach... you just have to sit down and think about how you can (without your students even knowing) work those pesky "standards" into your daily routines.

Believe me, it can be done... and it can be done with finesse!

Don't be afraid of the Common Core, don't talk to parents about how developmentally inappropriate you may think that it is ... Embrace it and use it to create an early education experience that truly ensures that children are ready for the educational experience that lay in front of them.

In this newsletter you will find resources about the Common Core as well as fun ways to implement it into your programs. You can be discreet about its integration or shout it from the rooftops. Afterall, there is more than one way to peel an orange, but the end result is the same. In this case, it's preschoolers who are socially, developmentally AND academically prepared for the education that awaits them.

Be ready for the next time the education pendulum swings... Common Core isn't the first or the last of changes we are going to see.

Currently there are Common Core standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and math. You can view the ELA standards here: ELA Kinder Standards and the math standards here: Math Standards. Please note that as you are clicking through these standards to look at the menu to the left of the page as you will see a list of standards to be viewed. Read through them all thinking about how you may be able to start introducing children to these topics and concepts.

Also take a peek at whether or not your state has even adopted these standards by clicking here: Standards in Your State. Even if your state has not adopted the Common Core, they will have their own set of standards that you should be aware of.

Visit us on Pinterest for more ways to integrate intentional learning into your preschool program.

This is an interesting RSA Animate from a talk given by Sir Ken Robinson.

No matter what your views on our educational system, one thing is for sure, we need to teach our children in a manner that engages and excites them, especially in this high-speed, high-tech world.

What are you doing to ensure your students grow to be creative thinkers?

So you're probably wondering who I am and why you have received this newsletter. Let me introduce myself.

My name is Meghan Hamilton and I am one of the owners/founders of Fusion Early Learning Preschools and Curriculum. My husband, Tom, is also one of my business partners and we have two amazing children, Jack and Emma.

We have 4 preschools in California as well as six licensed "Fusion Early Learning Schools" in states across the U.S. (With more on the way!) I have written several articles for local publications regarding school readiness and early education and our schools have been named the "Best of" in our 2 local counties for the past 6 years.

You are receiving this newsletter because you too know the importance of early education. You are the Director or Owner of a preschool and if you are like me, you are constantly looking for new knowledge and inspiration. My hope is that you will enjoy this newsletter and take from it some valuable information that you may potentially use in your own preschools and early learning centers. Should you have a topic that you are particularly interested in learning more about send me a quick note and I will be sure to cover it in an upcoming newsletter. If you think you may want to learn more about the Fusion Early Learning Curriculum, keep scrolling... you can visit us online, e-mail us or give us a call anytime. We are eager to share it with you! Thank you for all that you do every day! You are impacting the lives of our future teachers, scientists, authors and artists!

Visit our website or FEL on facebook to learn more about our schools and curriculum. It's an approach to early learning that leaves students excited and engaged in the world around them using a method based in educational neuroscience that is uniquely our own. We are looking for other schools who share our vision of early education to join us and become licensed Fusion Early Learning Schools. Schedule a webwalk today and we can get the conversation started.

Email: meghan@fusionkids.com
Website: www.FusionKids.com
Phone: 5307516441
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FusionEarlyLearningPreschools?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @fusionpreschool