5815 Tutt Center Point - Colorado Springs, CO 80922
Briargate preschools aim to foster early literacy and numeracy skills in children aged 3-5 years to equip them with skills required for formal primary schooling and beyond. This in-depth blog analyzes Briargate preschools’ holistic play-based curriculum, child-centered educational approach, and nurturing learning environment that positively impacts literacy, reading, writing, math, critical thinking, etc. Read on to learn more about the impact of Briargate preschools on literacy and numeracy skills and how Young Scholars Academy Day Care Briargate Colorado Springs helps with developing these vital skills
The Early Years: Building the Foundation
A child’s experiences from ages 0-5 years influence brain development. They help in shaping foundational academic abilities, social skills, behaviors, and well-being. Studies prove that quality early childhood education better prepares children for primary school. They help improve performance in literacy, vocabulary, numerical abilities, concentration, and memory. For lower-income families, research shows attending preschool can help bridge socioeconomic achievement gaps.
Why Focus on Literacy and Numeracy
Literacy and numeracy constitute essential skills for daily life. Early reading proficiency by age five is linked with higher academic success at grade III. Similarly, mathematical concepts grasped in preschool – counting, sorting, shapes, patterns, and measurement predict later achievement. Building foundational capacities is vital as literacy and numeracy remain crucial across life, work, and continuous learning.
Learning Through Play at Briargate Preschools
Play-Based Curriculum
Most Daycare in Briargate Colorado Springs utilizes a play-based curriculum. It is centered around learning through games, toys, pretend play, arts, movement, music, and stories. This interactive, hands-on approach based on educational theories sparks curiosity, excitement, and engagement. Importantly, it allows children to actively construct knowledge and meaning. Hence, help in promoting enhanced comprehension, longer memory retention, plus transferable abilities. Studies prove play cultivates creativity, conceptual understanding, decision-making, social behaviors, emotional regulation, cognitive abilities, and executive functioning.
Child-Centered Classrooms
Classrooms contain designated areas and materials focused on reading, writing, math, science, dramatic play, blocks, puzzles, and arts. This allows children to freely explore topics at their own pace and ability levels through self-directed play. Providing autonomy over what, where, and how to play instills intrinsic motivation and ownership over learning. Research confirms that child-led active learning optimizes development. It retains information longer and outperforms passive teaching methods. With caring guidance from teachers, kids also gain confidence in independent problem-solving.
Developing Early Literacy & Reading Skills
Language and Vocabulary
A language-rich environment exposes children to new vocabulary, listening, and literacy skills. These are essential building blocks for reading. Briargate Preschools’ show-and-tell, group discussions, pretend play, picture books, and story read-aloud immerse kids in a range of words. Teachers report that most students use complex sentences and have strong oral language abilities by age five. Studies prove vocabulary size correlates with reading proficiency.
Phonics and Alphabet Knowledge
Songs, games, and child-centered activities help recognize letter names and shapes and associate corresponding sounds critical for reading fluency. Phonics requires grasping that words comprise distinct verbal sounds, which is key for spelling and writing skills, too. Per teacher feedback, most Briargate children can recite phonics and the alphabet before transitioning to primary school.
Communication and Confidence
Small reading groups, show-and-tell presentations, and acting-out stories provide avenues. They help in communicating thoughts and ideas verbally within a supportive environment. Teachers nurture confidence to speak up, which research links to academic performance and self-esteem. Class discussions teach listening to others – which is also vital for writing conventions. Studies show oral language abilities in preschool equal reading fluency by grade IV.
Enhancing Early Numeracy & Problem-Solving
Mathematical Concepts
Briargate Preschool Program uses hands-on methods like blocks, puzzles, board games, and picture books. The preschool exposes children to counting, arithmetic operations, patterns, shapes, sorting, comparisons, measurements, and other mathematical concepts. Playing in a store or restaurant involves exchanging money and making calculations. Studies confirm learning numbers, spatial relations, and geometry in preschool are the building blocks for more complex math down the road.
Logic and Critical Thinking
Sequencing activities, matching games, and finding odd-ones-out encourage deductive reasoning, analytical, and critical thinking. Asking inquisitive “why” questions foster cognitive abilities to understand “how” and “why.” Research proves early math aptitude predicts achievement and attitudes toward math in later grades. Building mental discipline and math impacts general academic performance, too.
Preschools in Briargate – Unique Approach
Low Student-Teacher Ratio
Briargate preschools maintain an 8:1 student-teacher ratio – lower than state licensing mandates. Small class sizes ensure individualized attention catering to diverse needs and learning paces. Studies correlate lower ratios with greater gains in language, vocabulary, numerical understanding, plus social adjustment. Teachers also have more opportunities to nurture each child.
Positive Reinforcement
Teachers patiently encourage students with positive verbal and tangible reinforcement. Instead of labeling mistakes as failures, teachers reframe them as opportunities to try alternate solutions, fostering a growth mindset. Psycho-social research confirms that positive reinforcement motivates students, boosts performance, and supports emotional wellness.
Family Involvement Philosophy
Briargate preschools embrace a family-centered approach with an open-door policy for parent volunteers and school events. Consistent parent-teacher engagement creates continuity between home and school, which augments learning outcomes. Teachers also educate parents on supportive literacy, math, and hands-on activities to practice at home.
Warm, Nurturing Culture
Loving teachers cultivate a warm, welcoming environment where kids feel safe exploring material. Such an environment promotes taking educational risks and making mistakes intrinsic to learning. Laughter echoes through the halls daily. Affectionate teacher-student bonds provide emotional security, which is key for academic thriving and mental health development.
Feedback on Impact
Parent Surveys
Parent surveys reveal over 95% satisfaction with children’s advancements in early literacy and math comprehension at Briargate preschools. Many specifically praise the equipping for a smooth transition into elementary school – both academically and socioemotionally.
Standardized Testing
Yearly standardized tests indicate above-average proficiencies in language, vocabulary, basic reading, writing, critical thinking, general knowledge, and basic math concepts. Over 80% of Briargate preschool students pass grade-level math and literacy tests by age VI.
Teacher Opinions
Teachers report that most Briargate kids enter primary school, recognizing letters and sounds, writing their names, and adding/subtracting small numbers. Even children facing socioeconomic barriers perform on par due to preschool interventions.
Longitudinal Study
A longitudinal study tracking low-income students found that attending Briargate preschool correlated to significantly higher grade-III scores in math, reading, and general knowledge versus peers without similar early education exposure. Hence, validating the immense impact.
Conclusion
In short, research confirms Briargate preschools’ unique play-based curriculum and child-centric educational techniques delivered through small class sizes within a language-rich, nurturing environment. They have successfully advanced early literacy, reading, writing, math, and cognitive abilities among preschool children. Hence, creating a resilient foundation for lifelong learning. Going beyond the home or community resources, Briargate childcare’s interventions help narrow the achievement gap, especially for disadvantaged students.
Enroll at Young Scholars Academy
Young Scholars Academy provides nurturing care and research-based early childhood education to foster your child’s development. Schedule a tour at our Colorado Springs location to see our infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-k classrooms firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Briargate preschools in Colorado Springs known for?
Briargate preschools in Colorado Springs are known for their play-based curriculum and child-centered approach. They foster critical early literacy and numerical skills to lay a solid foundation for learning. Their nurturing culture also supports overall development.
What literacy-building activities do Briargate preschools in Colorado Springs use?
Some literacy-building activities include phonics games, songs, and rhymes. They help recognize letters and show and tell discussions to build vocabulary and oral abilities. They also promote group story readings and pretend-to-play to expose children to the language.
How does the teaching philosophy at Briargate preschools benefit learning?
The Briargate preschool learning philosophy works through guided play, child autonomy, and positive reinforcement. According to studies, it creates excitement for gaining new knowledge and skills in an engaging way.
How do teachers at Briargate preschools teach early math concepts?
Teachers at Briargate Preschool use hands-on methods like blocks, puzzles, board games, and toy store dramatic play. They teach counting, arithmetic operations, shapes, sorting, comparisons, measurements, and other mathematical concepts.
What assessments track student outcomes for Briargate preschools?
Standardized tests, literacy/math tests, and parent feedback indicate that Briargate preschool students perform above average. Hence demonstrating their real-world solid outcomes.
How do Briargate preschools accommodate working parents’ needs?
Briargate Preschools accommodate working parents through early drop-offs and late pick-ups. These preschools offer holiday care options and an open-door policy for parent involvement, including volunteering and events.
Why are Briargate preschools a good option for a 3-year-old in Colorado Springs?
Parents looking for engaging preschools in Colorado Springs for a 3-year-old should consider Briargate Preschools. Its research-based curriculum, small ratios, qualified teachers, and nurturing environment are optimal for fostering development at this crucial age.