EDUCATION MATTERS—SANFORD SCHOOL'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BLOG

When a child turns five it’s time to start kindergarten, but many parents are looking for opportunities that start even earlier. When exploring various programs, some parents may be torn between choosing a daycare setting or a school-based early childhood program. At Sanford we believe there is a tangible difference between a Preschool and/or PreKindergarten classroom and a daycare center. Below we will make the CASE that participating in a formal early childhood program benefits families in four main areas: Community, Attention, Specials, and Education.

If you have ever been to a child's birthday party, you know firsthand how different children are from each other. Imagine your five-year-old neighbor's Spider-Man-themed party. There may be games, food, cake, presents, and no matter how well all that is going, as soon as Spider-Man shows up, there is bound to be drama. Some children are going to be incredibly excited, some so scared they may start crying, some may not know who Spider-Man even is, and some will become instantly shy and want to hide behind their parent's legs.

Now imagine those same children in their kindergarten classroom. They may be equally as different when it comes to learning how to read. Differentiated instruction is the act of teaching individuals differently based on their needs, their interests, their readiness, and their strengths. The goal to have everyone learn how to read remains the same but how that happens depends on who the children in the class are.

It may seem like the best students are those who breeze through classes without breaking a sweat--acing the tests without studying and writing papers in only one night. But when those same kids come across a class that they can’t pass in their sleep, they may quickly crumble in the face of a challenge. While it could feel a bit counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to teach kids to be successful is by making things a little more difficult for them.

The holiday season often brings with it feelings of immense gratitude. We make lists of the people in our lives that mean the most to us and find ways to show our appreciation for them. Whether it’s a holiday card, quality time spent together, or a classically wrapped present, the holiday season is filled with the giving spirit. This year, consider adding your child’s school or alma mater to your gratitude list.

Gifts to a private school’s annual fund are used to support elements that make it even better equipped to meet the needs and talents of each student. Tuition provides a great percentage–but not all–of the income necessary to meet a school’s expenses. Charitable contributions from parents, alumni, past parents, grandparents, and others who believe in the school’s mission help to complete the equation. Here are three reasons why philanthropy is important for private schools:

When families are searching for schools for their children, they often look for the right “feel” of the school asking questions like:

• Does this school offer a balanced curriculum?
• Do the students and faculty look engaged and happy as they go about their day?
• What experiences are available to students?
• Will my children, and my family, feel like they belong?

Tuning into Sanford’s performing arts program will provide you with insight into each of these questions. Not only does a strong performing arts curriculum offer balance to a robust academic environment, but it also offers a chance for children to be creative, expressive, and learn about different cultures and backgrounds. Performing arts are essential to a well-rounded education.

As a parent, it’s sometimes difficult to walk the line between raising your child to be a polite, respectful student who follows the rules, while also encouraging them to advocate for themselves when necessary. Though those ideas may seem to be competing, it’s sometimes more about style than substance when teaching our kids to speak their minds. An article in the Washington Post quotes Eileen Kennedy-Moore, author of “Kid Confidence: Help Your Child Make Friends, Build Resilience, and Develop Real Self-Esteem,” as saying:

Children can learn to manage their own materials; a life skill that is important for future success.

Weekend trips to Ashland Nature Center, Coverdale Farm, The DE Children's Museum, and our local libraries have been some of my family's favorite local places to explore. But as a teacher and mom, I have found learning beyond school is often right under your own roof or in your backyard.

“I look forward to watching our children grow together and know that I have made lifelong friends, just as my children have. We really have created a sense of community for our family.”

When parents are involved, students achieve more

• Schools that work well with families have better teacher morale and higher ratings of teachers by parents.
• School programs that involve parents outperform identical programs without parent and family involvement.