Early education helps shape how children learn, think, and grow long after the preschool years. Strong early learning environments support academic readiness, cognitive development, and the habits that help children succeed over time. This guide looks at those long-term benefits and explains why the right school setting matters for families across the Hampton Roads region.
How Do the Early Years Shape Later Learning?
The impact of early education on academic success often shows up in the years that follow, not only in the first year of school. Children who begin in strong early learning environments are often better prepared for classroom expectations. They tend to enter school with stronger early language skills, better attention, and more confidence in structured learning settings.
That matters because the first years of school build on one another. A child who enters kindergarten ready to participate and engage with instruction is often better positioned to keep building from there.
How do preschool experiences affect future academic performance?
The effects of preschool education on future academic performance go beyond early worksheets or readiness checklists. A well-designed preschool environment helps children learn how to learn. That includes curiosity, persistence, communication, and flexibility.
When children practice these skills early, they are often better prepared for:
early reading and writing instruction
foundational math concepts
independent work habits
classroom collaboration
confidence during academic transition
This is one reason families thinking long-term often look beyond short-term milestones and focus on whether a program is helping their child build durable learning habits.
Why does inquiry matter?
Children learn more deeply when they are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and actively explore ideas. That approach underscores the long-term importance of early childhood education for learning, as it builds a stronger intellectual foundation rather than just a short-term academic boost.
Tip: When visiting an early childhood program, pay attention to how teachers respond to children’s questions. That often tells you whether curiosity is being encouraged or simply managed.
What Is the Long-Term Importance of Early Childhood Education for Learning?
The long-term benefits of early childhood education for students are not limited to one grade level. High-quality early education can support habits and skills that continue to matter as children grow. Strong language development, self-regulation, attention, and confidence do not stay in preschool. They carry into elementary school and beyond.
That’s why the long-term importance of early childhood education for learning is really a question of foundation. Children who begin with strong support often have a more stable base for later growth.
What kinds of long-term gains do families value most?
Parents are often looking for outcomes that go beyond test performance. They want children who can think clearly, communicate well, adapt to challenges, and stay engaged in learning.
In practical terms, early education can help support:
stronger academic confidence
better classroom participation
improved communication skills
healthier peer relationships
greater comfort with new learning experiences
Those outcomes matter because success in school is not only about mastering content. It is also about how a child approaches the learning process itself.
How Can the Right School Strengthen These Long-Term Benefits?
Not all early education experiences are equally strong. The benefits described above depend heavily on the quality of the environment, the teachers, and the curriculum structure. A school that values the whole child will usually do more to support lasting growth than one focused only on short-term performance.
That is one reason families in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or Norfolk often spend time carefully comparing private schools. They’re choosing a learning philosophy as much as a first classroom.
What makes Strelitz International Academy stand out?
For families in Hampton Roads, Strelitz International Academy offers a distinct early learning environment shaped by inquiry, strong relationships, and whole-child development. As the only IB® Program Elementary School in Hampton Roads, Strelitz gives students an academic foundation that emphasizes curiosity, global awareness, and thoughtful engagement from an early age.
That matters for families searching among the top private schools in Hampton Roads. A strong early program should do more than prepare children for the next year. It should help them build the habits, confidence, and thinking skills they will continue using throughout their education.
For families looking atelementary schools near Norfolk, VA, that combination of academic structure and child-centered learning can be a meaningful differentiator.
How does the IB Primary Years Program support young learners?
The IB Primary Years Program supports children by treating them as active participants in learning. Instead of focusing only on memorization, it encourages students to explore ideas, make connections across subjects, and develop a stronger sense of agency.
That kind of environment underscores both the importance of early childhood education for cognitive development and the impact of early education on academic success.
Key Takeaways
The long-term benefits of early childhood education for students include academic, social, and cognitive growth.
The impact of early education on academic success often shows up through readiness, confidence, and stronger learning habits.
The importance of early childhood education for cognitive development includes attention, language, memory, and problem-solving.
The effects of preschool education on future academic performance are shaped by both program quality and learning approach.
For families in Hampton Roads, Strelitz International Academy offers a distinctive option among private schools.
Conclusion
Early education matters because it shapes how children learn, relate to others, and grow over time. The strongest programs do more than prepare children for kindergarten. They help build the foundation for later academic success, stronger thinking skills, and more confident participation in school.
For families considering the long-term importance of early childhood education for learning, the key question is not only whether a child will be ready next year but whether the school experience is helping build habits and capacities that will still matter years from now.
If you are exploring early learning options in Hampton Roads and want to see how an inquiry-based environment can support your child’s growth, schedule a visit with Strelitz International Academy. It is a chance to see how the school helps young learners build a strong foundation for the years ahead.
The main difference between an IB® school and a regular school is the approach to learning. An IB® school follows an internationally recognized curriculum that emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, global awareness, and interdisciplinary learning, while a regular school typically follows a national or state-based curriculum with a more traditional subject-focused structure.
As a parent, do you often find yourself at a crossroads trying to determine the best academic path for your child? From private to public schools, your chosen institution will have a lasting effect on your child’s development and future.
Beyond the typical private school, modern parents have been deciding whether to enroll their child in an International Baccalaureate (IB®) primary school instead of a traditional school.
But what’s the difference?
What is an IB School?
International Baccalaureate (IB) schools embody a modern approach to education. These schools naturally employ the IB® curriculum in Virginia Beach, near Norfolk and Chesapeake, which isn’t solely focused on good grades as a performance metric. It’s about developing the whole child, becoming lifelong curious learners. The IB® philosophy strongly cares about academics and just as much about critical thinking, global interconnectedness, and making a societal impact.
Virginia Beach private schools like Strelitz International Academy use the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to build the foundation for learning. Instead of solely memorizing information, this program encourages kids to ask meaningful questions and explore the world around them. They learn that all subjects are an intricate web of information, genuinely digesting how academic lessons relate to the real world.
Let’s talk about “regular schools”—the kind most of us grew up with. They take a more traditional approach to teaching. These schools usually follow the curriculum set by their local education sectors, and their main focus is on core subjects like Math, Science, History, and English. While regular schools definitely give a solid academic start, they might not put as much emphasis on growing in outside-the-box ways or understanding the world globally as IB® schools do.
Public vs Private Schools in Virginia Beach
Families comparing schools in Virginia Beach may also need to decide between public and private education. Public schools generally follow Virginia state standards and Virginia Beach City Public Schools requirements, while private schools may have greater flexibility in curriculum, teaching methods, class structure, and enrichment opportunities.
Neither option is automatically right for every student. Parents should compare the individual school’s classroom environment, teacher support, educational philosophy, student services, and approach to family communication.
Comparison Area
Virginia Beach Public Schools
Virginia Beach Private Schools
Curriculum
Generally follows Virginia state standards and district curriculum requirements.
May offer specialized frameworks, faith-based education, inquiry-led learning, or internationally recognized programs such as the IB® PYP.
Tuition
Tuition-free for eligible residents, although families may still have activity, supply, or program-related expenses.
Typically requires tuition, with costs and financial assistance varying by school.
Class Size
Class sizes depend on the school, grade, enrollment, and district staffing.
May offer smaller class sizes and more opportunities for personalized attention, depending on the school.
Teaching Approach
Often follows district-wide instructional expectations and grade-level benchmarks.
May have greater flexibility to use inquiry-based, project-based, experiential, or individualized teaching approaches.
Assessment
Frequently includes classroom assessments and state-required testing.
Assessment methods vary and may include projects, portfolios, presentations, written work, observation, and traditional tests.
Specialized Programs
May offer gifted education, advanced academics, arts, athletics, and other district-supported programs. Availability varies by school.
May provide distinctive programs such as IB®, language learning, religious studies, coding, robotics, music, or other specialized enrichment.
Admissions
Typically based on residency, attendance zones, transfer policies, or eligibility for specialized programs.
Usually requires an application and may include records review, family meetings, student visits, assessments, or enrollment deadlines.
Family Involvement
Opportunities vary by school and may include parent organizations, volunteering, conferences, and school events.
May emphasize frequent family communication, community participation, volunteering, and school-wide events.
School Community
Often reflects the broader neighborhood and local community.
May create a smaller, close-knit community centered around a shared philosophy, values, or educational mission.
Best Fit
May suit families seeking a tuition-free education aligned with state and district standards.
May suit families seeking a particular curriculum, smaller learning environment, specialized programs, or educational philosophy.
When touring public or private schools in Virginia Beach, parents should ask to observe a classroom, review examples of student work, learn how teachers communicate progress, and understand how the school supports each child academically, socially, and emotionally.
Quick Facts: IB® Vs Regular Schools At A Glance
Area
IB® School
Regular School
Curriculum
Inquiry-led and connects multiple subjects
Usually organized by separate subjects
Learning Style
Student-centered and discussion-based
Often teacher-led and structured
Global Perspective
Integrated throughout the curriculum
Usually covered in specific lessons or subjects
Critical Thinking
Students ask questions, investigate, and reflect
Students focus on learning and applying required content
Assessment
Projects, presentations, portfolios, and reflection
Quizzes, tests, assignments, and standardized assessments
Subject Connections
Lessons connect ideas across disciplines
Subjects are generally taught independently
Teacher’s Role
Guides inquiry and encourages exploration
Delivers instruction and monitors progress
Student’s Role
Actively investigates and takes ownership of learning
Completes lessons, assignments, and assessments
Technology Use
Used for research, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving
Often used for assignments, learning platforms, and testing
Primary Goal
Develop curious, reflective, and globally minded learners
Build academic knowledge and meet grade-level standards
What Are the Key Differences Between IB® Schools and Regular Schools?
1. How They Teach
IB® schools focus on encouraging students to be curious and explore what interests them. This means they ask questions that get them thinking deeply about what they’re learning. By doing this, students not only sharpen their critical thinking skills but also start to see how different subjects relate to one another, which makes the whole learning experience much more engaging.
As the IB® states, they aim to cultivate “inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed,” which helps inspire a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
Regular schools usually stick to a set curriculum decided by local education boards.
2. Seeing the World
In IB® programs, there’s a big focus on helping students see the world through different lenses. They dive into various cultures and ideas, which helps them grow into open-minded and caring leaders. The mission of the IB® highlights this goal, stating that students should be ready to thrive in “a complex and hyper-connected world.” This training equips them with knowledge and prepares them to make a real difference in their communities.
Regular schools might spend more time making you memorize facts and taking standardized tests. The information may not “stick” when students are expected to score well.
3. How You Learn
IB® schools focus on helping students develop important skills rather than just memorizing facts. Instead of stressing children to ace standardized tests, they encourage them to think critically and solve problems on their own.
Students are taught to take charge of their learning, which means they build a deeper understanding of what they’re studying. This approach goes beyond just knowing the facts; it helps equip them with valuable skills that will serve them well in college and beyond.
Regular schools might not spend as much time on this global perspective—a trait that should be more important than ever.
4. Complete Growth
The IB® philosophy emphasizes the whole person when it comes to student development. IB® schools pay close attention to students’ feelings, social skills, and moral values. They nurture qualities that help create a better world, focusing on understanding and respecting different cultures. These important values are woven throughout the entire IB® educational experience, making it much more meaningful for students as they grow.
Without the in-depth, transdisciplinary curricula of the IB®, regular schools are more surface-level; they mainly focus on academic performance.
5. Subjects and Connections
In IB® schools, the curriculum feels a lot like putting together a puzzle, where different subjects fit together. This approach helps students see how science, history, and the arts are all connected, making learning a more exciting and relatable experience.
The IB® believes that when students learn in this integrated way, it deepens their understanding of the world around them and empowers them to use their knowledge in practical and impactful ways.
In regular schools, topics are often taught separately.
6. Technology & Future-Readiness
IB® programs are forward-thinking by design. Many now integrate AI literacy, coding, and digital collaboration tools into everyday learning, preparing students for careers that don’t even exist yet. They also emphasize media literacy, teaching students how to analyze information critically and responsibly, which is crucial in an age of misinformation. Technology isn’t just a subject; it’s woven into projects, group work, and research. Students learn not only how to use tools, but also how to innovate with them.
While technology is present in most traditional classrooms, it often revolves around standardized platforms like testing software, typing programs, or basic computer skills. This approach equips students with essential digital familiarity, but it may not push them toward the kind of creative, global problem-solving that IB® schools encourage.
7. Assessment Style
Instead of focusing primarily on exams, IB® schools use diverse forms of assessment—projects, group presentations, essays, portfolios, and even self-reflections. The goal is to measure how well a child can apply what they’ve learned, not just repeat it back on a test.
For example, a science assessment might involve designing an experiment and explaining the reasoning behind it, rather than just filling in multiple-choice answers. These assessments build real-world skills: research, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Parents often notice their children becoming more confident speakers and independent learners because the evaluation process is part of the learning, not just the end result.
In traditional schools, assessment is usually exam-heavy—think multiple-choice tests, quizzes, and essays designed to test recall of facts. While this helps track progress against state or national benchmarks, it can also encourage “learning for the test.” The advantage is clear structure and predictability, but it may not capture a child’s creativity or problem-solving ability. Students who are strong test-takers often thrive here, but those who learn better through hands-on projects or discussions may feel limited.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing an IB® School?
Parents often ask: “What’s the real payoff of an IB® education?” Here’s what sets it apart:
Future-ready learning: IB® students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and digital skills that universities and employers increasingly value.
Global citizenship: Through exposure to multiple cultures and perspectives, children become more empathetic, adaptable, and culturally aware.
Stronger academic preparation: The emphasis on inquiry, research projects, and presentations equips students with advanced writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills well before college.
Confidence and leadership: By encouraging independence and voice, IB® schools nurture self-assurance and the ability to lead with empathy.
Lifelong learning mindset: Instead of learning for the test, IB® students learn how to learn, an invaluable trait in a world where careers and technologies are constantly evolving.
What Are the Challenges of IB® Schools Compared to Regular Schools?
Is a private school better than a public one? The IB® model brings unique advantages, but it’s not without challenges. Parents should weigh these carefully:
Higher expectations: IB® programs demand more initiative and self-direction, which can be overwhelming for students who prefer step-by-step instruction.
Time commitment: The inquiry-driven approach often involves longer-term projects and more complex assessments. Students must manage their workload effectively—an excellent skill, but also a potential stressor.
Cost considerations: Private IB® schools may come with higher tuition due to specialized training, smaller class sizes, and international accreditation. However, some public schools also offer IB® programs at a lower cost.
Adjustment period: Children used to traditional schooling may take time to adapt to the IB® style of learning, which prioritizes open-ended questions over clear-cut answers.
Not for every learner: While many children thrive in IB®, others may feel more comfortable in the structured, test-focused environment of regular schools. The right fit depends on your child’s personality, resilience, and goals.
Which School Type is Best for Your Child?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on your child’s learning style, interests, and personality.
If your child thrives on curiosity, independent learning, and exploring big ideas, an IB® school may be an excellent fit.
If your child does better with structured routines, predictable testing, and a more straightforward curriculum, a regular school may feel more comfortable.
The most important thing is choosing a school environment where your child feels supported, engaged, and inspired to grow.
Key Takeaways
IB® schools focus on developing the whole child through inquiry-based learning, while regular schools follow standardized curricula focused on core subjects and test performance.
The IB® Primary Years Programme (PYP) used at Virginia Beach private schools like Strelitz International Academy emphasizes critical thinking, global awareness, and transdisciplinary learning over rote memorization.
Assessment in IB® schools includes projects, portfolios, and presentations — measuring real-world application of knowledge — whereas regular schools rely heavily on standardized exams.
IB® students gain future-ready skills such as AI literacy, media analysis, collaboration, and independent problem-solving — traits universities and employers actively seek.
The right school depends on your child’s personality: IB® suits curious, self-directed learners, while regular schools may benefit children who thrive on structured routines.
Learn with Strelitz International Academy
The IB® PYP framework extends its influence outside the classroom setting. As students embrace their roles as inquirers, our budding scholars understand that what they learn in the classroom mirrors the world. With strong support and dedication from the broader community, our students cultivate their passions and talents, nurturing a strong self-assurance as they explore their role in the global landscape.
Choosing the right preschool for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Early childhood education lays the foundation for their future success, providing the skills and confidence to thrive both academically and socially.
When considering preschools, it’s essential to find a program that not only meets your child’s developmental needs but also sets them up for long-term success. An option many parents consider is private preschool and daycare, such as an International Baccalaureate (IB®) Preschool, which is a globally recognized program that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning.
If you’re a parent searching for Virginia Beach private school options for your child, you’re probably wondering, “Are IB schools good?” In this blog, we’ll discuss ten reasons to enroll your child in an IB® preschool like Strelitz International Academy.
What Is an IB® Preschool?
The International Baccalaureate (IB®) Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum is a globally recognized educational system that prioritizes inquiry-based learning, cultural awareness, and holistic development.
At the preschool level, IB® programs focus on nurturing curious and confident young learners. Unlike traditional teaching methods, IB® preschools encourage children to ask questions, explore concepts, and engage in hands-on activities.
Why Choose an IB® School?
1. Global Perspective Early On
IB® preschools introduce children to cultural diversity and global awareness from an early age. These values foster empathy and an understanding of the world, preparing your child to thrive in a multicultural society.
2. Inquiry-Based Learning
Curiosity is the engine of learning, and IB® schools encourage children to ask “why” and “how,” helping build critical thinking skills as children actively explore answers to their questions, making learning more engaging and meaningful.
3. Holistic Development
An IB® preschool nurtures your child’s social, emotional, physical, and academic growth. The IB® PYP curriculum is specifically designed to develop multiple skill sets, ensuring your child not only succeeds in academics but also gains emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
4. Focus on Lifelong Skills
IB® preschools emphasize essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, equipping children with the tools they need to navigate their future.
5. Early Exposure to Problem-Solving
Through interactive and hands-on activities, IB® schools teach children how to tackle challenges in creative and confident ways. Students actively engage in designing solutions for real-world problems, such as creating a school garden or exploring environmental conservation.
6. Nurturing Creativity
The IB® PYP curriculum encourages imagination and creativity. Programs such as art, music, and design projects help your child discover new ways to express themselves and think differently.
7. Individualized Attention
Smaller class sizes at private preschools like Strelitz ensure every child receives tailored support. Teachers are trained to adapt their teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student.
8. Preparation for Future Academics
The foundational skills your child gains in an IB® preschool set them up for academic success beyond their preschool years. An IB® private preschool ensures children enter elementary school with skills in reading, numbers, and emotional resilience.
9. Strong Values and Ethics
Integrity, respect, and responsibility are important to the IB® philosophy. Children at IB® preschools are taught to value qualities that shape them into compassionate and principled individuals, such as honesty, appreciation of diversity, and accountability for their actions.
10. Supportive Community
Parents, teachers, and students form bonds within the IB® program. At an IB® preschool like Strelitz International Academy, parents are encouraged to take an active role in the community while children thrive in an inclusive and nurturing environment.
Why Choose Strelitz International Academy for IB® Preschool?
Strelitz International Academy stands out among Norfolk and Virginia Beach private preschools for our unique approach, combining academic excellence with emotional, social, and global learning. Our Jewish day school is dedicated to developing compassionate, lifelong learners through experienced faculty, innovative programs, and a focus on fostering a global perspective in young minds.
With values such as respect, a love of learning, and a global consciousness, you can trust Strelitz International Academy to provide a meaningful and enriching educational experience for your children.
Schedule a tour of Strelitz International Academy and see how we’re shaping the next generation of confident, global-minded learners through our IB® curriculum.
We’ve already covered the International Baccalaureate (IB®) program’s profound (and beneficial) effects on preschoolers and kindergartners, but what about some more specifics?
It’s a given that such a renowned educational framework that focuses on holistic learning and interconnectedness will nurture and enhance childhood development. In the Primary Years Program (PYP), a core principle of childhood development is early literacy and numeracy skills, crucial to developing foundational skills that aid academic success.
Early Literacy Skills in the IB® PYP
The IB® PYP strongly emphasizes the manifestation of early literacy skills through a range of inquiry-based activities—such as meaningful and contextual language, communication, and literacy study areas. Let’s break down some of the ways the IB® program promotes early literacy development:
1. Language-Rich Environment
A stimulating classroom environment is critical in fostering advanced communication skills. IB® elementary schools incorporate classrooms with an abundance of books, charts, and print materials to expose students to the language and encourage vocabulary development, reading engagement, and a love for reading.
2. Transdisciplinary Learning
The PYP curriculum integrates different disciplines to help students form connections between literacy and other subject areas. For example, a science lesson could use comprehensive reading skills to understand informational texts, write lab reports, and engage in class discussions. These activities reinforce literacy skills within the chosen subject matter, in this case, for instance, science.
3. Inquiry-Based Approach
IB® encourages students to ask difficult questions, think critically, and actively participate in their learning journey. Through inquiry-based learning, students learn to investigate the details to form meaningful conclusions and develop advanced problem-solving abilities and the ability to pull information from different sources.
4. Reading and Writing Workshop
Participating in reading and writing workshops engages students to become independent and collaborative readers and writers. They serve as an opportunity for students to practice reading comprehension, fine-tune their writing skills, and receive meaningful feedback and critiques from teachers and students.
5. Literacy Across Languages
Multilingualism and cultural awareness are major components in the IB® PYP world, promoting literacy across multiple languages. Helping students recognize diverse linguistic backgrounds creates an empathetic environment, fosters language development, and develops cultural interest.
Numeracy Skills in the IB® PYP
But what about numeracy skills? In the IB® PYP, numeracy and literacy are two sides of the same coin. Mathematics is carefully integrated throughout the curriculum, where students can experience practical mathematical situations. Some of these IB® program methods include:
1. Conceptual Understanding
Anyone can memorize something, but not everyone can fully absorb and understand that information. The IB® program recognizes that and emphasizes conceptual learning through reasoning, number sense, computation, estimation, and real-world applications. For example, using a cake or a pizza can be used to teach fractions in a pie-chart format—using the slices to represent the “pieces” (fractions) of the whole “pie” (number).
2. Mathematical Language and Communication
The IB® math curriculum is a spiraling program that teaches fundamental concepts using manipulatives and hands-on activities. All students are given opportunities to think for themselves and work independently, with partners, in small and large groups. Participating in these formats helps develop confidence in their ability to investigate their choice in a safe environment and heightens clear communication.
3. Mathematizing the World
Mathematics is not confined to textbooks—it’s present in the world around us. Going off of #1 with conceptual understanding, IB® students are encouraged to identify and apply mathematical concepts in everyday situations. Actively making connections to real-world problems fosters a deeper understanding of how math relates to their lives.
4. Diverse Instruction
Teaching one specific method is not beneficial to every child’s academic success. The IB® PYP acknowledges that every student is different and therefore has different learning styles and needs. To give all students a fulfilling experience, IB® teachers employ various strategies, resources, and manipulatives to cater to different learning styles like visual, physical, auditory, verbal, logical/mathematical, social, and solitary areas, as well as make combinations between them. This fusion of learning styles helps students absorb numeracy skills faster and in a more appealing, inclusive way.
5. Tool Proficiency
IB® elementary school students study measurement, data interpretation, and pattern recognition by taking advantage of different tools, techniques, and resources. Calculators and computers are leveraged to learn numeracy efficiently and effectively. Repeated exposure to numeracy concepts and skills is essential for reinforcement and ultimate mastery.
The Benefits of the IB® Program on Early Literacy and Numeracy Skills
When discussing the valuable benefits of the IB® program in schools, we name high-level goals like international mindedness, high academic standards, holistic education, university recognition, career preparation, and personal development.
But by cultivating literacy and numeracy skills, the IB® program helps children lay a solid foundation for a brighter academic future. Students walk out of the classroom with not only enhanced cognitive skills but also social, emotional, and physical excellence. The all-rounded, holistic approach helps students find their unique skills and attributes and foster an overall love for learning.
With the ability to absorb literacy and numeracy lessons in a more quick and fulfilling way, IB® students become lifelong learners. Instilling curiosity and passion for literacy and numeracy equips students for a long academic road ahead, gaining transferable skills that extend beyond the two subjects.
The Strelitz Primary Years Program
The Strelitz International Academy holds a shared initiative: a strong reading program is essential in building an everlasting educational foundation.
Our kindergarten and first-grade students participate in the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program®– (LiPS®)*. LiPS®* provides students with the necessary literacy skills for decoding, spelling, letter blends, and digraphs to help build a conceptual understanding of the whole language that will follow them into adulthood. As they continue to decipher and add new vocabulary to their reading repertoire, students practice phonemic awareness, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and language development, preparing them to read literature with endless creativity and clarity.
Likewise, our IB® elementary school not only concentrates on competency in numeracy but also stresses problem-solving. Our programs demonstrate all of the IB® numeracy strategies in this blog and more to create a well-rounded, culturally enriched child.
Interested in a Primary Years or Early Years Program in Virginia Beach? Schedule a visit with one of the best private elementary schools today.
On a scale of one to ten, how much does your child love books? Whether your preschooler is a bookworm or not, studies show reading to childrenas young as nine monthscan accelerate childhood development. Finding a book that introduces pre-reading skills like numbers and sounds is one of the best ways to ease children into formal reading instruction.
From The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Goodnight Moon, there are a few staples we read to children time and time again. Seeking something new and enriching for every kind of reading taste? At Strelitz Academy, one of Virginia’s top IB PYP schools neat Norfolk, we list the five best reading suggestions that stimulate learning and growth. Let’s take a look!
Before We Dive In, Here Are A Few Things To Consider
Choosing the perfect book for your child depends on multiple factors. If your book checks off the following boxes, it’s golden:
Is the book engaging? Great characters and a fun, cohesive storyline pique a child’s interest.
Does it appeal to my child’s attention span? To attract a child’s attention, it must be child-friendly. Short dialogue and simple word choice help your preschooler travel from cover to cover.
Does it match my child’s interests? For example, your basketball-loving child isn’t going to enjoy a book on ballerinas. Choose something you think they will enjoy!
Best New Books for Preschoolers
This year’s top reading selection is more educative and engaging than ever, from catchy rhymes to tall tales.
“Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” is a popular book about a cat walking down the street wearing brand-new white shoes. His shoes change from white to all kinds of funky colors and feelings as he steps in different messes along the way. Despite it all, his attitude remains positive while he sings his tune. This singsong story is an excellent way to teach children ages 3 to 7 to experience change with a positive mindset.
Want to show your child the wonders of astronomy? This is the perfect book for introducing preschoolers to the solar system. Ages 3-5 learn science-driven facts about the eight planets and their size, distance from the sun, surface conditions, moons, and more! The author has a Ph.D. in planetary science but can write in a fun and understandable way for kids.
Looking for practice problems your child can take on during the summer? This workbook contains 320 pages of pre-writing skills, alphabet, colors, shapes, following directions, numbers and early math, and more. This book combines reading comprehension, strategy, and memory retention with easy to advanced concepts, fun illustrations, and an award certificate upon completion. Motivate your preschooler to complete these practice problems during their free time to advance their knowledge and prepare them for school.
Brought to you by the New York Times Bestselling team, this picture book combines elusive imagery, STEAM concepts, stimulating puzzles, and fun rhymes to delight children, parents, and educators alike. Start your child’s mornings or end the day with this colorful and upbeat book that allows them to use their brains to solve complex, kid-friendly problems. The pages are filled with all kinds of different animals that your child can point at and admire.
Don’t judge a book by its cover—this New York Times bestseller teaches the complicated subject of phonetics to children ages 3 to 10. This book brings preschoolers through a “raucous trip through the odd corners of the alphabet” by introducing words with silent letters like “aisle” and “gnat.” This whimsical book demonstrates a comedic take on the English alphabet by listing these more complex words and their pronunciations.
Ready To Kickstart Your Preschooler’s Reading Adventure?
Strelitz International Academy (SIA) is one of Virginia’s best affordable private schools near Chesapeake— setting up children from infant to primary with the education to succeed. With our Early Years Program, children ages 2 to 4 walk through various global, transdisciplinary themes as part of our IB World School curriculum. Our 10 to 12-month comprehensive program explores early reading practices and other learning modalities, development areas, language arts skills, Judaic education, and more.
To learn more about how Strelitz International Academy can help your child grow and excel intellectually, please get in touch with Carin Simon, Admissions Director, and Schedule a visit.
When your child is done with the school day, you don’t want them to just plop in front of the TV or play video games for hours on end. Your child will benefit greatly from enriching programs that keep minds engaged and foster fitness.
At Strelitz International Academy, we share this philosophy. We believe that young children need enrichment and after-school activities that keep them active in healthy ways. After all, healthy students are better learners.
By providing physical activity opportunities for our students during and after school, as well asoffering enrichment activities in music, art, and more, we feel we are addressing the whole child and helping each student become a well-rounded, confident, and empowered individual.
Benefits of After-School Activities
Every parent wants their children to not only do well at school, but also discover interests that feed their mental, physical, social, spiritual, and emotional sides. Educators at Strelitz want the same, and this is why we offer a range of enrichment and after-school activities kids enjoy so much they don’t even realize they’re learning.
The benefits of young students participating in age-appropriate, inclusive after-school activities are many. They include:
Better attention span in the classroom
Improved cognitive skills
Opportunities for students to explore their potential and expand their minds
Increased social and emotional learning
Improved academic performance
Greater learning opportunities in a safe, supportive environment
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benefits ofschool-based physical activity include less risk of developing depression, improved mood, better heart health, and healthier weight levels.
Enrichment activities can make learning more fun. They reinforce what the educators are teaching throughout the week.
Many enrichment and after-school activities can also serve as an outlet for kids with a genuine need to expend more energy, try new things, spend more time with peers, or have the freedom to discover at their own pace.
With caring, supportive staff overseeing these enrichment programs, young students have the guidance they need in a safe environment that invites them to explore the world they live in.
Activities for Younger School-Age Children at the Academy
Here at Strelitz, we offer a number of activities children can participate in to help them feel more confident and capable wherever they go, including in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
Enrichment activities are provided to young students enrolled in our program. These are some of the enrichment and after-school activities we offer.
Fitness
Aquatics: Weekly swimming activities during the school day help kids stay fit while developing coordination and motor skills. Individual swimming lessons are also offered after school on campus through the Simon Family JCC.
Physical activity: Our teams know how to make exercising fun for youngsters by adding variety and turning fitness into playtime. Students have access to our state of the art Gym and expansive outdoor playground.
Outside play: Students have the opportunity to run and play in a safe, supervised environment, either outside in age-appropriate playgrounds or indoors in our gym.
Activities
Music: A local professional musician regularly leads music circles for our students. Our music program helps children build their language skills and develop improved memory.
Library time: We love books, and we share this love of reading with our students through visits to our school library, which helps build strong literacy in readers and pre-readers alike.
Specialty activities: Our resource teachers create themed learning enrichment experiences that are exciting and educational.
Art: We help children explore and understand the world around them through a variety of art projects that help them tap into their creativity.
Cooking: Age-appropriate kitchen tasks teach children how to prepare snacks that are tasty and healthy in our school cooking center. Many of the recipes are made using ingredients from our school garden.
Hebrew language enrichment:All are welcome at our school, and we love sharing our school’s cultural heritage through Hebrew language enrichment activities.
Science exploration:Young children have so many questions, and they love to learn how the world works. Through age-appropriate science exploration activities, we help them study, observe, and learn via scientific methods.
We also partner withJCC afterschool activities for additional fitness and enrichment opportunities, such as yoga and self-defense, which rotate seasonally.
Learn More
Be sure to explore everything Strelitz International Academy has to offer for your child and your family, particularly if you’ve been asking yourself, “What are the best private elementary schools near me?” We believe that when you visit us, you will see a high level of quality in all we do.
Our educators are experienced in working effectively with young children, and they know how to make learning fun and engaging for different ages and attention spans.
As a private IB elementary school, Strelitz offers expanded opportunities for students who are ready for amore challenging learning experience. Ask us about what we offer as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Schedule a visit!
At Strelitz International Academy, we work hard to ensure your child is set up for long-term academic and personal success, and it starts the moment they walk through our doors. Our preschool program is designed to help your child hit all major developmental milestones. Whether that be social development, language development, physical development, or motor development, we help with it all. One of the most important milestones we help with is fine motor skills. Through the many fine motor activities we provide for our preschoolers, your child can enter our elementary-age IB® World School Primary Years Program Virginia Beach prepared for the next step.
Why Does Fine Motor Skill Development Matter for Preschoolers?
As children develop, they hit a few key milestones—learning to crawl, walk, speak, and perform daily tasks. Part of their development is learning fine motor skills. Preschool fine motor skills are the tasks we perform daily with small muscles throughout our bodies. This includes zipping up jackets, brushing teeth, tying shoe laces, grasping a pen, typing on a keyboard, etc.
Learning to strengthen and control these tiny muscles is the process of developing fine motor skills. This developmental stage is essential in helping children become independent and prepare for primary school. While these actions may seem simple to adults, for young children, mastering them is a big milestone. The preschool years are the ideal time to help kids build these skills because their brains and bodies are primed for development through hands-on play. Without strong fine motor control, kids may struggle with writing, attention, and confidence in the classroom.
QUICK FACT – According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most children develop key fine motor milestones between ages 3 and 5 — including drawing simple shapes, using scissors, buttoning clothes, and holding a pencil with proper grip. Delays in these areas may signal the need for early support.
What Are the Best Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers?
While we continually develop our fine motor skill ideas throughout our lives, preschool is the age when they are just beginning to grow. For this reason, preschool is the most crucial stage for increasing fine motor skills. Children can learn this through various age-appropriate activities such as playing with playdough, blocks, and puzzles, doing arts and crafts, and playing pretend.
1. Playdough + Tools
How to Play: Give your child a lump of playdough and a set of simple tools—rolling pins, plastic scissors, cookie cutters, or even small toys to bury and find. Encourage them to roll, squish, stretch, cut, and mold it into different shapes or objects. Add a challenge by asking them to create letters, animals, or simple objects.
Benefits: Builds hand and finger strength, supports pencil grip development, encourages creativity, and improves hand-eye coordination. It’s also calming and great for focus.
2. Bead Stringing
How to Play: Set out a variety of beads and strings or pipe cleaners. Start with large beads and progress to smaller ones. Have children create necklaces, patterns, or even spell names with alphabet beads.
Benefits: Strengthens bilateral coordination (both hands working together), improves concentration and dexterity, and supports early math and literacy skills.
3. Tweezers and Pom-Pom Transfers
How to Play: Provide pom-poms and tweezers or tongs, along with a muffin tin or ice cube tray. Children use the tweezers to pick up the pom-poms and sort them by color or size into the tray.
Benefits: Builds the pincer grasp needed for holding a pencil, enhances focus and precision, and strengthens small hand muscles.
4. Sensory Bins
How to Play: Fill a bin with textured materials like rice, beans, or sand. Hide small toys, letters, or themed items inside. Give children scoops, cups, or tongs to dig and find hidden objects.
Benefits: Enhances sensory processing, encourages exploration, strengthens hand muscles, and supports early problem-solving.
5. Velcro Play
How to Play: Use Velcro strips or toys that stick and pull apart. Let children connect and disconnect the pieces to build towers, make patterns, or match items.
Benefits: Strengthens finger muscles needed for dressing skills like zipping and buttoning, and builds grip control.
6. Puzzles and Shape Matching
How to Play: Offer children jigsaw puzzles or shape sorters. Encourage them to match pieces by color or shape and fit them into the correct slots.
Benefits: Develops spatial awareness, fine motor planning, hand control, and early math logic.
7. Art with Purpose
How to Play: Provide materials for Q-tip painting, gluing paper shapes, hole punching, or making mosaics. Guide them through simple art prompts or let them explore freely.
Benefits: Improves fine motor precision, visual-motor integration, and attention to detail, while encouraging creativity.
8. Pretend Play with a Purpose
How to Play: Set up kitchen sets, baby dolls, grocery checkouts, or doctor kits. Prompt children to pour, stir, button, and zip as part of their play.
Benefits: Strengthens functional grip and coordination, supports imaginative thinking, and builds independence through real-world task practice.
9. Dot Markers and Tracing Games
How to Play: Give kids dot markers to create patterns or trace letters and shapes. Use templates or draw paths for them to follow.
Benefits: Prepares the hand for writing, develops control, builds hand-eye coordination, and makes learning letters fun.
10. Cutting Practice
How to Play: Provide child-safe scissors and paper with lines, shapes, or mazes. Encourage cutting along the lines or snipping to create fringe.
Benefits: Builds hand strength, precision, bilateral coordination, and confidence in using tools independently.
11. Alphabet Lacing Beads
How to Play: Provide large alphabet beads and laces. Have kids spell their names or simple words as they lace the beads onto the string.
Benefits: Boosts letter recognition, pincer grasp, and hand-eye coordination all at once.
12. Spider Web Tweezers Game
How to Play: Use yarn to create a web over a basket and hide small spider toys inside. Children use tweezers to remove the spiders.
Benefits: Strengthens fine motor control, builds patience, and challenges problem-solving.
13. Pipette Water Play
How to Play: Fill cups with colored water and give kids pipettes or eye droppers to transfer the water between containers.
Benefits: Develops precision, pincer grasp, and is also calming and sensory-rich.
14. Scoop and Count Game
How to Play: Use a scoop-and-sort toy set, like ice cream scoops and cones. Kids scoop and count balls into matching containers.
Benefits: Combines math and motor skills while promoting grip strength and hand control.
15. Tracing Lines with Gems
How to Play: Draw lines on paper and have kids place beads, gems, or stickers along the path.
Benefits: Builds focus, fine motor control, and prepares kids for writing.
16. Q-Tip Name Painting
How to Play: Write a child’s name in bubble letters and have them dot along the lines with Q-tips dipped in paint.
Benefits: Promotes grip control and precision, and reinforces name recognition.
17. Placing Coins in a Piggy Bank
How to Play: Provide a container with a slot and a variety of coins. Kids place them one by one into the slot.
Benefits: Strengthens pincer grasp, hand-eye coordination, and early money awareness.
18. Sidewalk Chalk Drawing
How to Play: Give children large chalk pieces to draw shapes, letters, or paths on the ground outside.
Benefits: Encourages gross and fine motor development, plus imaginative thinking.
19. Making Putty Figures
How to Play: Offer therapy putty and simple tools or small objects to hide and find. Let kids roll, squeeze, and sculpt figures.
Benefits: Builds finger strength, dexterity, and creative confidence.
20. Classic Games Like Jenga and Connect 4
How to Play: Play board games that involve pinching, stacking, or placing small pieces.
Benefits: Develops patience, precision, social interaction, and fine motor coordination.
21. Hole Punch Strip Game
How to Play: Create strips with numbers or patterns. Kids roll dice and punch holes based on the result.
Benefits: Enhances hand strength, number recognition, and control.
22. Threading Cheerios
How to Play: Give kids a pipe cleaner or piece of dry spaghetti and Cheerios to thread through.
Benefits: Builds bilateral coordination and visual motor skills.
23. Sticker Peeling and Placing
How to Play: Give children a sticker sheet and a target template (like circles on paper) to place stickers.
Benefits: Strengthens pincer grasp and visual motor coordination.
24. Attaching Clothespins to Books or Clothes
How to Play: Have kids clip clothespins onto board books, boxes, or their clothes.
Benefits: Builds grip strength and finger control needed for dressing skills.
25. Sorting Coins or Beads
How to Play: Provide a pile of coins or beads and sorting trays. Have kids sort by size, color, or type.
Benefits: Supports categorization, pincer grasp, and early math skills.
What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Fine Motor Skills in Preschool?
Fine motor skills development early doesn’t just help in preschool—it impacts every stage of a child’s learning journey. Kids with developed fine motor abilities tend to:
Write more clearly and confidently
Complete tasks independently (like dressing, feeding, and personal care)
Engage more fully in classroom activities
Perform better in assessments and fine motor-heavy subjects like art and science
By developing these skills in a fun, engaging, and intentional way, we give children the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally.
QUICK FACT – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that preschool-aged children engage in regular hands-on, screen-free play activities every day to support fine motor development, creativity, and overall cognitive growth.
Fine Motor Skills in Later School Years
The development of fine motor skills not only helps children perform daily tasks but also prepares them for success in their later school years. Activities such as writing, typing, performing labs, filling out tests, etc., all use the fine motor skills developed in childhood. While learning these skills later in life is possible, why not set your child up for success earlier? Instead of having to catch up, they will already be ahead.
Key Takeaways
Fine motor skills are the small-muscle movements children use for everyday tasks like writing, zipping jackets, and tying shoes — and the preschool years are the most critical window for building them.
Strong fine motor development directly impacts a child’s ability to write clearly, complete tasks independently, focus in the classroom, and feel confident in school.
Hands-on play activities — such as playdough, bead stringing, tweezers transfers, and puzzles — strengthen the small muscles in the hands and improve hand-eye coordination.
Fine motor practice should be woven into daily routines, not treated as a one-time lesson, so children develop control gradually through repeated, meaningful play.
Strelitz International Academy — the only IB® PYP elementary school in Hampton Roads — embeds fine motor activities into daily preschool learning to prepare children for the IB® Primary Years Programme in Virginia Beach.
How Strelitz Builds These Skills Into Every Day
Practicing motor skills is an essential part of their childhood development. Preschools and daycares should incorporate these fine motor activities into everyday classes to help children grow and learn. Strelitz International Academy provides preschoolers with various activities that promote fine motor skills development. We don’t treat fine motor activities as one-offs. They’re built into everything we do—from classroom centers and play areas to structured lessons and creative projects. Through self-directed learning and teacher-guided play, preschoolers continue developing their fine and gross motor skills. We offer Magna tiles, blocks, play dough, puzzles, and dramatic play areas (kitchen, baby dolls, and cars) that all aid this development.
Through our preschool program, Strelitz students can progress and enter our elementary-age IB® World School Primary Years program in Virginia Beach. Our preschool/kindergarten graduates learn and develop in a way that sets them up for later success in our program. Visit our website to discover how the IB® program works and learn more about how we introduce new skills to our preschoolers.
Want to see how we bring preschool fine motor skills learning to life? Email at astpierre@strelitzacademy.org or call 757-424-4327 to speak with the Director of Admissions and schedule a tour today.
As a parent, you are dedicated to the long-term success of your child. You want them to thrive and become active members of the community at large. To set them up for success, it is important that you provide them with a quality education.
Strelitz International Academy is a private preschool near Virginia Beach that is dedicated to setting your child up for success in school and beyond. Our program is designed to have long-term advantages on your child’s life. Sounds too good to be true? Allow us to explain.
High-Quality Programs Have Lasting Effects
When discussing the long-term advantages of preschool programs, it is important to note that all evidence provided relates to the effectiveness of high-quality programs. But what makes a preschool program high-quality?
High-quality programs allow children to initiate their own learning activities, and create an environment in which children feel safe, secure, and loved. This includes kind and caring teachers, involved parents, an adaptive curriculum driven by the child, and developmentally appropriate activities. With this understanding, children are able to develop and thrive intellectually, socially, and physically.
Long-Term Advantages of a High-Quality Program
Now that you have a better understanding of the type of program that provides advantages, let’s take a look at the advantages themselves. The long-term benefits of a high-quality program can be split into two main categories—school performance and social integration.
Higher School Performance
According to a study performed by MIT College of Economics, children that attend high-quality preschool programs are more likely to graduate high school, more likely to take the SAT, and more likely to enroll in college.
Due to the nature of these programs, children develop a stronger connection and appreciation for education and the school system. This appreciation follows them through their primary school years and continues through their secondary school years and beyond.
Better Integration Into the Community
In the same study, students that attended a high-quality preschool had fewer school suspensions in high school and were less likely to experience juvenile incarceration. In addition, these advantages can increase in later life in regards to overall income, health, and life.
According to another study by the National Bureau of Economic Research “Other important sources of benefit from the program are gains in parental income while participants are young, gains in later-life income, and decreases in criminal activity. The study finds an overall benefit-cost ratio of 3.2:1 and an internal rate of return of 11 percent.
When decomposed by gender, the results are much stronger for males because the main benefits are reduced criminal activity and improved health, both of which show stronger effects for males.”
A High-Quality Program—International Baccalaureate
One of the high-quality programs available to students in the United States is the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School program. The IB program allows students to drive their own learning experience, think critically, solve problems, become more culturally aware, and engage with a diverse community.
While the IB program is not currently available for preschool students, Strelitz International Academy (SIA) utilizes the same teaching style with its preschool children. By taking a similar approach to learning, preschool students at SIA are provided a high-quality program and prepared to take on our IB elementary program in Virginia Beach.
High-Quality Private Preschool Near Virginia Beach
Strelitz International Academy offers private pre-k programs in Virginia Beach. Our students are set up for success from the very beginning of their education journey. We take on a proactive teaching role in your child’s life, guiding them towards educational rigor, emotional development, and community engagement.
Students that attend SIA go on to attend rigorous programs in high school and beyond. Our well-rounded curriculum strives to impact your children and help them thrive in the world outside of school. Are you ready to increase your child’s long-term success? Speak with the Director of Admissions and schedule a tour today by calling us at 757-424-4327.
As your sweet baby grows into a more independent child, you may be thinking about preschool. Even though it might be hard to send your little one off to school for the first time, providing your child with a quality private preschool education sets your son or daughter up for success.
The emotional skills and understanding of the world that children develop while very young will help them become constructive members of society throughout their lives. Research shows that preschool graduates are better prepared for school and eventually, earn more money as adults.
Here are some important reasons why private preschool is so important for toddlers:
1. Preschool Teaches Children How to Learn
Young children are constantly soaking up experiences like a sponge through playing and observing the world around them. Acclimating them to a school setting while toddlers is a great way for children to learn in ways that interest them, and instill the idea that learning, and school, is fun.
2. Preschool Develops Social Skills
Preschool is probably the first place where a child will spend long periods of time with other children and adults outside the family. This new environment provides the chance to learn essential interpersonal skills, such as how to pay attention, listen, cooperate, make friends, and learn the basics of conversation.
3. Preschool Teaches Children How to Self-Regulate
Inevitably, any time children play and engage in activities together, conflicts arise. Those times of frustration and anger are opportunities for teachers to provide “teachable moments,” where they can encourage children to notice the effect their behavior has on others and start practicing how to resolve conflict. These emotional skills will be vital to preschool graduates throughout their entire lives.
4. Preschool Boosts Pre-Literacy Skills
A big part of every preschool day are the variety of games and activities that help children build pre-literacy skills. These can include singing alphabet songs, learning rhymes to help distinguish between sounds, listening to stories read by their teacher, and playing with magnetic alphabet letters. An early positive association with reading often leads to a lifetime love of it.
Preschool teachers help children develop language capabilities by introducing new vocabulary and asking thought-provoking questions.
a. Preschool Gets Children Ready for Math
Along with reading, preschool builds the foundations for future success in math through calendar time, guided play and fun activities like sorting, matching, or counting games. Certain board games are also useful at helping young students develop an understanding of categories and numbers.
b. Preschool Nurtures Children’s Curiosity and Creativity
Young children have lively imaginations. It’s important to nurture their active minds to fuel learning and creativity. Preschool environments are set up to encourage and stimulate exploration. A good preschool teacher will encourage children to be curious and develop their own ideas and thoughts. They will ask questions and listen to children’s ideas rather than pushing “correct” answers.
c. Preschool Teaches Children How to Be Responsible
Preschool children are often given chances to practice how to be responsible. These include washing their hands, keeping personal belongings in cubbies, and putting toys back in their proper spots. In addition to self-care, preschoolers learn how to take care of others by helping other children learn skills they’re more competent at or by helping out in the classroom.
d. Preschool Helps Children Develop Cognitive and Motor Skills
Children build cognitive skills by engaging in activities that challenge them to try new things, ask questions, solve problems, and be more aware of the world around them. Preschool is centered around these types of activities, so children are able to learn more.
But the mind isn’t the only important part of your child’s development. In addition to outside play time, many preschool activities help children develop fine motor skills and physical coordination. For example they might be given projects that involve drawing, threading beads, even cutting with scissors.
Preschool Prepares Children for Kindergarten!
Over the years, kindergarten has become increasingly academic. A high-quality preschool education program will offer children the skills development they’ll need to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
After having learned basic social and communication skills, they’ll be more comfortable cooperating and asking for help. With strong pre-literacy, cognition, and math foundation skills, they’re less likely to struggle.
The Best Private Preschool in Hampton Roads
Are you looking for a private preschool in Virginia Beach for your 3 year old? The best preschools help children develop a drive to learn that they will take with them throughout their time in school and throughout their lives.
At Strelitz International Academy, our staff, administration, and teachers believe in inquiry-based education rather than the standardized curriculums used in public school. Our Early Years Programme follows the guidelines of developmentally appropriate practice promoted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children(NAEYC).
The Strelitz International Academy is an International Baccalaureate® World School for students between the ages of 3 and 12 (kindergarten through 5th grade).
A private preschool might just be the perfect choice for your toddler. We invite you to come join us, learn more about our curriculum and our dedication to helping children learn so we can get their journey started. Schedule a visit, or please give us a call at 757-424-4327.
Learning at home can sometimes feel overwhelming for both children and parents—especially when you don’t have formal teaching experience like you would find at a top private school near Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.
At this stage, young children learn best through play, movement, and simple hands-on experiences. The right preschool activities can turn everyday moments into meaningful learning opportunities. Games like Simon Says, scavenger hunts, and number-matching activities help build early childhood skills such as listening, problem-solving, coordination, and early math confidence—while keeping learning light, fun, and stress-free.
So, what’s a flustered mom or dad supposed to do when the kids are getting antsy and you’ve run out of ideas on how to keep them entertained while also providing learning tools at the same time? We’re here to help!
Below are a few fun and educational activities you can do with your children at home to keep them active and excited:
What are the best preschool learning activity ideas?
Preschool learning works best when it feels like play rather than structured lessons. At this age, children respond strongly to movement, repetition, and hands-on exploration. The best preschool activities are simple games that encourage listening, thinking, counting, and imagination without pressure. Whether at home or outside, these early childhood activities should stay short, engaging, and flexible so children remain curious and excited to learn.
Simon Sez It
Okay, so the name of the game may be grammatically flawed, but this old standard can help keep kids active and teach them to pay attention at the same time, making it one of the simple preschool activities for early childhood learning.If you’re not familiar with the concept, you are Simon, and everything “Simon sez” must be done by the children participating. So, if you say “Simon sez, hop like a bunny,” everyone should be bouncing around, including you.
The idea is to trip your audience up by rattling off several “Simon sez” things to follow in a row, then doing one gesture without saying “Simon sez” first. Example: “Simon sez, hop like a bunny (you hop). Simon sez, touch your nose (you hop and touch your nose). Stop hopping (you stop).” Anyone else who stops hopping is “out.”
Scavenger Hunt:
Create a “map” for your children to follow, then provide clues to help them move on to each new phase of the hunt. You can do this in your home, the backyard, or at a local park. There are several ways you can create clues. One is to take a picture of something where the next clue will be. Your children then need to find that object and go to it.
To make things a little more difficult, you can cut the picture up, and they will need to piece it back together first. Or, you could create a cypher where the number “1” is associated with the letter “A” and so on, then leave clues with numbers that, when solved, will lead to the next clue location.
Example: 2-1-20-8-18-15-15-13 spells out “BATHROOM.” For extra fitness, throw in an activity at each clue station, such as “Do 10 jumping jacks before solving” or “Make up a crazy dance move.” For additional fun, you can also leave small toys, treats, or snacks at each stop.
This is one of the most effective early childhood activities because it builds problem-solving, movement, memory, and curiosity at the same time.
Missing Number Match:
Write numbers from 1 to 9 on a popsicle stick; leave one number off each stick. Then write a single number from 1 to 9 on nine different clothespins. Give your child one of the popsicle sticks and have them find the right clothespin that matches the missing number. Then have them clip it to the stick to fill in the sequence.
This simple game is a strong example of preschool educational activities that build early math skills, sequencing ability, and fine motor control.
Key Takeaways
Preschool activities help children learn through play and movement
Early childhood activities build thinking, listening, and problem-solving skills
Preschool educational activities support early math, language, and motor development
Simple home games can be just as effective as structured classroom learning
When searching for a “top private school near me,” click on Strelitz International Academy. We use similar educational games to keep your children active and help them learn at the same time while they are under our care. As a top private school serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake, we’d love to have your children come join us, so we can all learn together.
If you’re ready to send your children back to school, contact us at 757-424-4327 or schedule a visit to learn more.
