Events & Updates - Young Scholars Academy

5 Qualities of a Great Summer Program

April 29, 2017 by Admin Leave a Comment

Summer camp is an excitable time for all ages. The school year is over. Your excitable 4-year-old is home for the summer. You want your child to continue their education. Whether it’s to help them do activities or you cannot take care of them over the summer, a summer program is a perfect opportunity. There are many different types of camps your preschooler can go to. The benefits of a summer program could help your child prepare for the school year or even for kindergarten.

Importance of Summer Programs for Academic Success

Attending a summer program will benefit your preschooler in many ways. It helps the children begin to build structure, preparing them for when they go off to regular school. The activities provide a way for your child to gain many skills. Math, writing, and reading can be skills learned. If your child has not yet been to a school, independence is another benefit. Your child will learn how to interact with other children and trustworthy adults when you are not around. According to summer program statistics, summer camps help children gain achievement in school. Sending your child to a great summer camp will help your child be the best that they can be before they begin kindergarten.

5 Qualities

1: Variety of Activities

For your child to get the most out of their experience, the camp should have plenty of activities for them. Each activity should enhance their education as well as entertain them. Activities can have art, music, swimming, sports, and other kinds to keep your child entertained while learning.

Sample Activities:
• Arts and Crafts
• Swimming
• Music
• Camp wide games

2: Good Supervision

importance of a summer program for academic success | Young Scholars Academy in Colorado — The children will have adult supervision

Every parent wants their child to be safe whatever activity they are doing. That is why it is important for there to be good supervision. There should be counselors for the campers, and at least 2 with each group. For preschoolers, the counselors should always be with them until the end of the day. You should make sure the place you choose has quality supervision of their campers.

Good Supervision:
• Campers should be with their counselors always
• Counselors should be able to respond to any situation involving a child
• All children should be accounted for by the counselors
• Counselors/supervisors have the phone numbers of parents in case they need to be contacted

3: Fits the Needs of Your Child

Whatever the need of your child, the camp should be able to provide it when you’re not there. For example, if your child has an allergy, the summer camp should be able to address it. Children should be able to bring their own lunches in case they have an allergy. If not, an alternative should be provided. If an allergic reaction does occur, counselors should be prepared. If your child has a special need and can attend the program, assistance should be provided. If possible, your child should receive as much help as possible. However, your child should still be able to enjoy all of the camp activities.

4: Safe Environment for Time Outdoors

benefits of a summer program | Young Scholars Academy in Colorado — Outside play for children in a safe environment

Summer camp can be a time to spend outdoors playing in the environment. The program of your choice should have plenty of time dedicated to outdoor play. Whether it is daily or through field trips, preschoolers should have time to be outside. It allows them to get fresh air and to get a lot of exercise. Children will also have a chance to explore their surroundings. Being able to explore enhances their learning and need to try new things.

Safe Environment:
• Distance from things that could possibly hurt children
• Constantly supervised
• First aid available in case of accidents

5: A fun a place for your child to grow

Your child should be able to have fun while they are learning new things. Each activity should enrich your preschoolers learning, as well as have them enjoy it. Over the summer, your preschooler should be growing educationally even while not in school. That way, they are prepared for the upcoming school year, while having fun along the way.

When summer comes, it is good to have options. Having a place for your young preschooler would be a nice opportunity. There would activities for he/she to do and friends he/she could make. If your child’s needs are met and there is proper supervision, it can be a safe environment for your child to grow. With the best qualities, the summer camp of your choice will be an enjoyable experience for your child.

“Why Play?”

April 28, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

At one point or another every early childhood educator has had to explain to someone that the children are doing so much more than just “playing” all day. We have also had to explain that we are not going to sit children down all day and make them copy letters and numbers either.

Early learning is the most unique type of learning, and also the most important. Most of brain development is established during the first three years of life. The most critical years of learning take place during the first five years. All of this happens before children ever take their first step onto a school bus.

Many educators have dedicated their professional careers to discovering and developing the best ways to prepare children for what lies ahead. Yes, we want to help them be kindergarten ready, but it is so much more than that. We want to help guide children in all things, to become that well rounded little human being that we love. We have to lay the ground work for higher level learning to take place later on. As an NAEYC accredited program we follow and believe in the research that has been backed by the importance of play.

One of the best ways we have found to cater to the whole child is by engaging them in play. It is not just letting children do what they want to all day; it is guiding them with ideas and materials, then stepping back and letting them steer. Let their interests be a big part of how you teach. If the child can connect with the material then they will learn it effortlessly.

Forcing learning down a child’s throat (or anyone’s throat for that matter) does not end in success. Each child has their own quarks and they will all learn in different ways. It may come easier to some than others, but they will all find understanding if you present the information in just the right way. Using play as one of your tools can have a huge impact because play comes naturally to children.

For young children there is no difference between play and learning. It is fun to learn and learning is fun. As Laurel Bongiomo, PhD puts it, “they are not separate activities. They are intertwined. Think about them as a science lecture with a lab. Play is the child’s lab” (NAEYC). Playing extends beyond the classroom alone. Playing outside, playing alone, with siblings, with peers, with family; each of these situations is setting the child up for success and challenging their brains in different and supportive ways.

The list of reasons for “why play?” could go on and on, but the main skills pulled from play are: cognitive skills, physical agility, and social skills. Under those main points stem kindness, love, and acceptance, gross and fine motor development, and use of imagination, expanding vocabularies, and problem solving skills. To the untrained eye it may just look like child’s play, but to the educator we see the real magic happening right before us.

We did it AGAIN!!

April 18, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

2017 Winner Best of the Springs — Thank YOU!!!

WOW!!!

Young Scholars Academy is so proud to announce we have won The Gazette’s coveted BEST of the Springs award for 2017–for the 3rd year in a row!

It takes an army of superheroes to help grow tiny humans. Truly, our commitment to excellence really does pay off–for us, yes, but it is your children which benefit the most! All of our amazing team and our wonderful families helped us win ALL 3 CATEGORIES #bestofthesprings

Thank you!

Thank you for voting-trusting-believing. Thank you for your confidence and trust in allowing us to take care of your children, enhance their educational foundations, and help them envision their future!

2017 Winners Best of the Springs — (Sorry, we can’t stop smiling!!)

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Take Action!

April 15, 2017 by Admin Leave a Comment

What is NCAPM All About?

April of 2017 marks the 34th year of National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM), a time dedicated to raising awareness of this devastating social issue and ending child abuse once and for all.

Since 1983, this month has been a time for communities to have a dialogue about the ways to not only stop the abuse of children, but providing education and resources for families and young adults to make sure that the abuse and neglect of children doesn’t carry on for even one more generation.

**What the Statistics Say (And What they Don’t Say)**

child abuse | Young Scholars Academy in Colorado — Cases of abuse are still high

Are the numbers of abuse victims still high enough to warrant a month of awareness and advocacy? Sadly, the answer remains an absolute “yes”.

Despite what you might think, America still has a huge abuse and neglect problem. Current statistics report a staggering 3 million children a year who deal with some form of abuse. Sadly, these are just the cases that are reported; we will likely never know the true statistics.

This is one of the worst rates of abuse in any industrialized nation. The time has come to say, “Enough!” We can do better, which is why each April we renew our promise to the children of America.

Time Can’t Heal All Wounds: Ongoing Symptoms of Abuse

Abuse would be bad enough if the hurting ended with sores and bruises, but abuse creates many scars that do not manifest until later in life (often manifesting in dangerously rebellious teenage or young adult behavior).

Over time, the young victims of abuse may also be affected by the following issues:

Increased tendency towards drug and alcohol abuse
Serious depression, including suicide attempts
Higher instances of “risk-seeking” behavior, such as multiple sexual partners, and other unsafe sexual practices
An almost 80% instance of some type of psychological disorder

The list of effects is startling, but what is most unacceptable are the nearly 1,600 children who died as a result of abuse last year. Until that number reaches zero, the NCAPM will advocate and raise awareness of these issues affecting countless American families.

History of the NCAPM

Did you know that the first specific laws regarding child abuse were only signed in 1974? While we’ve certainly come a long way since then, there is still a social stigma and problem of reportage and awareness that we need to deal with as a nation.

What started as a single week of awareness in 1982 became a full-fledged month of action starting in 1983, and the events and actions have inspired the creation of new laws and statutes that aim to eliminate harm to innocent and vulnerable children.

Whether in your own community, online, or by joining a larger march or event somewhere near you, you can become part of the NCAPM’s history this April–don’t wait until next year.

Ideas to Get Involved

There are many ways you can participate in this nationwide awareness month. Activities can be simple:

Organizing a block party or “meet and greet” with your neighbors
Attending parent meetings at your children’s school
Finding city or government-organized events for NCAPM

Or, you can organize with other parents and local families to put on bigger events, such as:

Running for local office or a PTA board
Attending and speaking at local government meetings (such as city council)
Organizing letter-writing campaigns and petitions

Keep in mind, these are just a few ideas. Be creative and think about new and interesting ways that you can help children and families who have been affected by neglect and/or abuse.

Moving Our Communities and Families Forward

Whether you visit the official NCAPM website (provided by the government’s Child Welfare Agency) or you find local events to raise awareness, the important thing is to get involved. It’s also important to remember that April is only the beginning–staying vigilant and engaged in your family and community throughout the year is the best defense we have against future abuse and neglect.

For too long, the victims and families who have suffered from abuse and neglect have been silent. April is a time for these voices to be heard, loud and clear. Now is the time–take a stand against abuse and neglect!

Poems & Preschoolers

April 14, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

When I was in my teens I turned to reading and writing poetry as an outlet. I found solace in the rhythmic sound and flow of poetry. Though I never got very good at writing poetry I still enjoyed it as a way of expressing myself and my feelings. The rhythm and flow of poetry, even the ones that did not rhyme, created a calming effect that made me feel relaxed and comfortable.

April is poetry awareness month, and there are many poets out that that write for children. April would be a good month to introduce your child(ren) to poetry and the many wonders that it holds. Until doing some research I wasn’t aware of just how many poets that writes for children. Truly the only one that I knew of was Shel Silverstein. Those poems were funny and interesting and made just for children to enjoy. There are many other poets out that that write for children such as Bob Raczka, Jack Prelutsky, J. Patrick Lewis, Robert Lewis Silverson, and so many more.

There are many benefits to reading poetry out loud to your children or, for those that can read, giving them books of poetry to read. Language Development is one benefit. Rhyming words make it easier for children to learn new words. Poetry offers a familiar context in which to learn new words. Reading and repeating rhymes helps children to practice pitch, voice inflection, and volume. Physical development is another benefit to poetry and young children. It teaches them when to breath while reading and for how long. This doesn’t need any explanation or reason, it just happens when reading poetry. With the musical structure of the rhyme a child can learn not only breath coordination but tongue and mouth movements.

Cognitive development occurs when a child reads poetry or when it is read to them. They start to understand the meaning of words that seem similar but have different meanings. They start to learn patterns and start recognizing when there is a pattern. Social and Emotional development can also be obtained through poetry. Rhymes can encourage a child’s sense of humor and sharing these rhymes with family can set the stage for inside jokes or an emotional attachment to stories read with their parents. They then can go back to these stories and poems to remember the feeling of love and enjoyment that they got while reading with their family.

While reading and writing poetry may bring back the memory of trying to read and understand William Shakespeare, a not so fond memory for me, it doesn’t have to be that way. Read though many different poets, until you can find one that speaks to you. It won’t take as long as you may think. One website I found was Family Friend Poems that gives you an insight into several poets that are family friendly. It may start you on the path to finding the right poet and poems to read with your children. My favorite may always be Shel Silverstein but after going to the before mentioned website I realized I not only like the Winnie the Pooh stories of A.A. Milne but I like at least a few of his poems as well.

Rhythm and rhymes of poetry have many benefits to young children, but in the end you may just find that the best benefit is the time spent with your young children and the memories that it creates.

Thanks for reading,
Ms. Cheryl, Early Literacy Coordinator