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Young Scholars Academy

Where Children Develop a Love of Learning

 5815 Tutt Center Point - Colorado Springs, CO 80922
 (719) 522-9099
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Becoming A NAEYC-Accredited Program

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Everyone ready for a story?

Back in 2012 we, Young Scholars had suffered the loss of one of our owners Mr. Geoff who helped to start Young Scholars Academy back in 1995. The combination of his death and the financial aspects afterwards were extremely hard on many personal and business aspects. There were talks about how much notice to give our families, what severance packages would look like to our teachers, selling the tiny furniture, everything. It was a very sad and scary time for us all, we were faced with a fork in the road type decision. Our Executive Director Jenn decided one night that this wasn’t how the YSA story was going to end. This is not the impact we wanted to leave on children and families. So what did she do? Rallied us all together to fight the good fight to stay in business.
Becoming a NAEYC center was one of those things on the list that was going to keep us in the game.

What does it mean to be NAEYC accredited? If this is the first time you’ve ever heard of the term, allow us to explain. NAEYC is an accreditation process and program that creates a high set of standards for programs to follow. In your accreditation the assessors look at everything from your kitchen menu to your teacher’s credentials and literally everything in between. The process isn’t easy but that’s probably why only 8% of preschools across the nation are NAEYC accredited. Here’s a link if you’re interested in learning more about the standards and statistics about these programs.

We have been building our program up, revamping our classroom layouts, equipment and curriculum all in a matter of months. We needed it within a certain amount of time to justify keeping the doors open. Our assessor got to the building at 5:45 and because the universe has a sense of humor, we had one of the worst thunderstorms in Colorado Springs history! Water seeped in under the classroom doors, people couldn’t go into the parking lot to get back to their vehicles after grabbing their kids, it even took our freshly-built greenhouse! Literally it tried to take flight and got tangled in our playground fence. So the assessor was stuck, we were panicking on one of the most important days in YSA history. It was heartbreaking to an extent because so many things we had spent weekends and a TON of hours on were washed away or beaten down by this rainstorm. Craziness!

So because of the weather our assessor wasn’t able to go outside and make sure we were meeting that criteria, so he had to come back the next day! Now typically a visit is only one day but also very YSA-like things just had to go a little different for us! At the end of the whole ordeal we ended up passing with a 97% passing grade. Fun fact, you only need a 75% to officially pass…

To say that the NAEYC- visit is burned into a lot of our memories is an understatement! We fought to not only stay in business for our families, we fought to become a program that has an even higher standard to care for families! It’s a great story to tell nowadays but yeesh did it take a lot of blood, sweat and tears. (We say blood because there’s bound to have been someone with a paper-cut those days.)

It’s been five years since our initial NAEYC accreditation process and so we’re up for renewal this year. This time around it’s a very different process as we’ve been practicing and incorporating these concepts for the past 5 years. There’s no panic to rush to get things done in time and no rush to go buy the whole toy section at Lakeshore, it’s very different and we’re proud! We’re so grateful for the families and relationships we’ve been able to build with our community over the years because of this N.A.E.Y.C. process. We urge families to find another NAEYC accredited program if they are moving away. The concepts implemented in these types of school go far beyond just curriculum. We truly believe we’re helping to foster problem-solving skills, social emotional responses and even independence!
Thank you to those who have been with us on this journey and ask that you cross your fingers as we take on the next assessment! If videos are for you, Ms. Dotty and Ms. Jordan go in depth about what the NAEYC re-accreditation process looks like and again how it’s better for children and families!

Sweet Summer Fun

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Finally! Its summer y’all! Have you been counting down the days like we have?! As the cold days become fewer and fewer, my family is in the mood for sunshine and fun. I have begun planning mini vacations, weekend trips, and the day to day activities. I think these will be great to do this summer. In previous years, we have had a ‘go with the flow’ type of schedule. On the weekends we would go to the pool and try to catch things that were free around town. While that has been great, I wanted to try something new this summer! We are making a summer bucket list! This list is going to have daily goals and also BIG summer fun goals included. Here are a few tips and some of the ideas that my kids and I have come up with!
 
Depending on the age of your kiddos, you may need to make separate goal sheets for each child. My vision for this is to include daily goals they can accomplish easily. And also family goals or a summer bucket list. I feel having this tool for the summer will help keep us busy and have a more organized schedule. Because truth is, I say that I want to do these ‘things’ over the summer and I either end up forgetting what I wanted to do (seriously…) or I get lazy and take the easy way out and make park and pool trips. Which is totally fine. But it means that I never followed through with what I wanted my kids to experience over the summer.

Daily goals

Depending on age, these are simple things that they need to get done daily. You could turn this into chore type activities. Or small learning activities that will help keep those brain cells busy in the summer months. My preschooler has 3 daily goals:
  • to read 30 mins total (with sissy or a parent),
  • feed the dog dinner (he picked),
  • and play a writing/letter game with mom.
So, this is a combination of chores and learning. It is important to include your kiddo in making these decisions. It makes them feel the responsibility of making a choice. These goals will most likely get switched up during the summer. This way, he can focus on other things he needs to work on and will be involved in that process too. Now, I have thought of also doing a reward system for this…but decided against it. I want these goals to really feel important to him and not become something he is doing for a sticker/toy. This means working with my preschooler so he understands the concept a bit more. I want to pump him up so he meets his goals and feels proud.
Little boy with summer bucket list
A well thought out summer bucket list

Family goals or Summer Bucket List

This is a concept that I came across online, but I put my own spin on it. Online, the picture had all the places they wanted to go visit. While that will work, I just wanted to be more specific and expand it a little. So, for our Summer Bucket List we are coming up with a list of things that we really want to do/see/explore and also some kindness activities. I picked a few items on the list and I let each of my kiddos choose things to add. Most of the things we added are things that we are surely able to accomplish and will be awesome to be able to cross them off.
Some of the ideas my kiddos came up with fall into the ‘we will sure try’ category. While I am not sure if we will be able to do some of the items, I still wanted to include them. I think it is also important for them to see what happens when goals are not met as planned. That way, they get to have conversations and examine their feelings on it and grow from it.
 
I really feel this system will make a positive difference in our summer adventure. I want them to really have a busy, fun, and engaging summer! Having a small outline of what this will look like will help keep us all accountable. I also recently read a quote online that said “You only get 18 summers with your children, that’s it. So make it count.” Boom. Right to the feels for sure. Being a kid is such an experience that can be truly magical. MY daily goal is to act like a kid and have fun, that way my children will have the most memorable summer ever!
 
-Ms. Whitney
Lead Prekindergarten Teacher
Curriculum Coordinator

Importance Of Summer Reading

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We are all told that it is important to read to our children and have them read every day especially in the summer time. But some take it as a side thought like sunscreen application; something that should not be optional. It is important in all areas of your kiddo’s education to keep them reading regularly throughout the summer. Children lose more during the summer than they gain during the school year when they stop ALL learning. Summer reading is a simple and fun way to keep those brains chugging until school starts up again.

Most libraries have summer reading programs of some kind. They even offer rewards for reading so much in a certain amount of time. This is fun for the competitiveness in us all. Check your local library or online to see what they have planned for the summer and make a commitment of going once a week.

Just the short amount of time during the summer can put your child up to two years behind their peers who were reading during the summer months. They will not catch up because they spend the following school year trying to get back to where they were at the end of the previous year. These statistics are terrifying to see how fragile learning is. If we leave it, we lose it.

Reading during the summer is such an effortless activity that can save your kiddo tons of heartache and you in the long run. You are much less busy during the summer (so to speak) that reading can become an activity that replaces something you do during the school year (like band practice or dance lessons). Make the commitment you won’t be sorry.

Books are everywhere. Make finding new books a game. Take trips to the library, thrift shops, garage sales, do book exchange play dates, and keep books in the car during vacation travels. If you have reading times set in place already then just stick with those through the summer as well. You are setting the tone for the love of reading into your children now, then it does not feel like work for them late on in life. It is simply something they enjoy doing just like other activities. Happy Summer reading friends!

-Ms. Brooke
Lead PreKindergarten Teacher
Literacy & Curriculum Coordinator

Things To Do For Father’s Day 2019

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We all love dad. Wrestling, playing video games, cooking at the grill, and hanging out are some of the fun things he does with us. This Father’s Day. show dad you care by giving him the gift of time. Take him to one of these fun places.

Peak into Pikes Brewery Tour

On June 15, from 12:00-5:00 pm, the Pikes Peak Brewing Company is hosting “Peak into Pikes Brewery Tour.” This is an hour-long tour that gives some history and facts about brewing beer. They take guests through the back part of the brewery, give a 10% off coupon for their merchandise, and give each guest a tour exclusive pint glass. The price is $20 per person. They are located at 1756 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, CO, 80132 719-208-4098 https://pikespeakbrewing.com/event/brewery-tour-3/

Pikes Peak Celtic Festival

The Pikes Peak Celtic Festival is being held June 14-16. Come out and enjoy Celtic music and dancing, living history, authentic Celtic cuisine, bag pipe competitions, Highland Athletics, Whisky tasting, Braveheart 5K, and more! A weekend pass is $25 for adults and $10 for kids age 6-17. For a single day pass it is $15 for an adult and $5 for kids. Whisky Tasting is $48.75 and the Braveheart 5K is $46.80. Both events include an adult weekend pass. Western Museum of Mining & Industry 225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit https://pikespeakcelticfestival.com/

Mesa Drive-in Theater

The Mesa Drive-in Theater is open seven nights a week. They provide that old time feel of driving in to watch a movie. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and older. Children under 12 are free. This price includes a double feature. Concessions range from $1.50-$8.75 per item. This month their family friendly double feature is Aladdin and Avengers Endgame. Located at 2625 Santa Fe Drive, Pueblo, CO 81006.

Annual Starlight Spectacular

June 15, Garden of the Gods is hosting the 25th annual Starlight Spectacular. Enjoy a 4, 16, 21, or 23-mile bike ride through and around Garden of the Gods Park beginning at 9:00 PM. Adults are $48 and children 6-15 are $28 children under 6 are free. There are rules and regulations you must adhere to for safety, so be sure to check that out before registering. 1805 N 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. To register, go to; https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/…/starlight-spectacular/

Time is the greatest gift to give to your father. Find something to achieve this goal and have a Happy Father’s Day!

-Ms. Blair
Lead Early Preschool Teacher
Wellness Coordinator

4 Reasons To Not Compare Your Children

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The definition of “compare” according to the Webster dictionary is estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between two or more things. In today’s world we can’t help but be competitive and compare our accomplishments to others. This also includes our sweet children’s accomplishments as well. The problem with comparing our children to other children or even their siblings is that every child is very different and hits milestones at various stages. Such as one child could have walked at nine months and the other child not till fourteen months. But on the flip side the first child didn’t talk till thirteen months and the other at ten months. You cause stress when you compare your children.
We all internally know this right? Yet even as adults we’re constantly comparing areas in our lives to others. Just as a reminder, here’s 4 Reasons To Not Compare Your Children

Don’t compare your life to others. There is no comparison between the Sun and the Moon. Both each shine when it’s their time.

1. It breaks down a child’s confidence and causes self-doubt.

When a child hears you say look what she is doing already. Why can’t you do that? It breaks them down and makes them question their abilities. It is very hard work to rebuild a child’s self-esteem. Especially when it is broken down by someone they trust and love. This can be just as damaging if it is between siblings. Instead of doing a direct comparison find strengths that each child has and highlight those special abilities.

Jealousy comes from counting others’ blessing instead of our own

2 & 3. Jealousy and Negativity.

Jealousy will eventually rear its ugly head. It is human nature to want praise and acknowledgement. Even at a very young age a child wants to know they have done good or hear how amazing they are. When we compare that blacks out the child’s accomplishment and over seats their confidence. With a child constantly being compared to a sibling or another child they begin to envy and resent the other child. The child that is always thought of oh look what that kid can do why can’t you, starts to think negatively and why even try if it isn’t ever going to be good enough.

4. It damages the parent and child relationship.

What kid hasn’t tried to please their parents? We want to impress and get praise from the get-go with our parents. But if a child is always being compared and brought down, they let that negativity take over. They also don’t connect and seek shelter and acceptance elsewhere.
As a parent we all want our child to be exceptional. However, we need to embrace their talents at their own levels and time. Every child shines, just not at the same time.

While there’s no rule book to parenting, this an extremely important concept to consider in everyday activities. The hope that one day all children will be able to shine instead of compared. Thank you for reading!

-Ms. Michaela
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Social Emotional Coordinator