How Private Kindergarten Programs Have Changed In Past 10 Years

Kindergarten students sitting on the floor listening to teacher

The private kindergarten school system has come a long way over the past ten years in developing a teaching curriculum that works for children. As the world shifts to a more child-focused teaching environment, private schools are leading the charge. In this article, Strelitz International Academy, a private kindergarten near Chesapeake, VA , reviews the ways that kindergarten has changed over the past ten years.

Kindergarten 10 Years Ago

Within the past ten years, school programs and curriculums have evolved to meet the needs of childhood development. As with many psychological discoveries, new information and techniques are learned every day. Because of this, teachers and administrators are constantly changing school curriculums to meet the needs of their students.

Public Kindergarten

In the public school system, we have seen this develop through the switch from the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) to the new Every Student Succeeds Act (2015). Up until recently, it was standard for kindergarten students to be pushed hard academically. Students were expected to leave kindergarten with enough knowledge to succeed in first grade. This rigorous academic expectation was made at the detriment of the child’s development of inquiry, social skills, and imagination. While this academic approach was effective, it was not the most effective approach.

Private Kindergarten Program

In the private school system, the development of learning objectives and curriculums has followed a similar path. In more recent years, a 2018 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrates that students learn best through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. This shift towards a more student-centered learning environment has been fully implemented in the private kindergarten program at Strelitz International Academy.

Private Kindergarten Program Now

Unlike public schools, private schools are not directed to teach a specific curriculum by the state. Because of this, private schools are able to stay on top of the most recent childhood development research, and implement it into our learning environment. This has allowed us to switch much faster to a student-led learning environment and perfect this style of teaching much quicker.

Private schools are able to offer student-led learning activities instead of relying on memorization techniques. Similarly, students are not required to meet standardized testing measures and are instead encouraged to learn and explore things that interest them. This provides an opportunity for children to learn basic motor skills in kindergarten without relying on outdated methods of teaching.

International Baccalaureate

One of the ways that private kindergarten programs have created this environment is through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. This program uses the inquiry-based learning approach and encourages kindergartners to explore, play, and learn in a way that suits them. This teaching style has proven to be effective in developing well-rounded, high-achieving, global citizens that exceed inside and outside the classroom.

Your child’s success story starts in the classroom, you want to set them up for success with the right balance of values and academics. International Baccalaureate students are in an environment where their interests and strengths are fostered. This allows them to realize what they learn in the classroom is a reflection of the world around them.

Private Kindergarten in Virginia Beach

Are you looking for a private kindergarten in Virginia Beach that offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program? Strelitz International Academy is the private school for your child! Our team of teachers, administrators, and staff are dedicated to cultivating an environment when your little one can thrive. Our goal is to set them up for success. Not only for their goals as a student, but also for their goals as an individual.

You can read more about our Primary Years Program on our website and discover how your child can thrive. We are currently enrolling for the 2022-2023 school year and would love to see your kindergartner walking our halls.

To find out more and schedule a campus tour, please call 757-424-4327.

Helping Kindergarteners Cope with School Anxiety

kindergarteners doing anxiety-free activities

Almost every parent has heard “I don’t want to go to school!” accompanied by sudden complaints about a body part hurting, or feeling sick. If you let your child stay home, these symptoms disappear like magic. This is a normal, if annoying situation if it only happens occasionally, but it becomes a regular issue, this may be a sign of a deeper anxiety. Luckily, there are several ways you can help your kids handle anxiety related to school.

The first step, and a good idea in general, is to listen. Acknowledge what your child is feeling so they’ll know it’s always okay to come talk to you. Be careful that you don’t dismiss a concern (“No need to worry. “You’ll be fine!”) or ask questions suggesting you’re anticipating that your child will be anxious (“Are you worried about going back to school?”). Remember that sometimes kids don’t expect you to fix a problem. They just want to feel listened to about whatever’s bothering them. In this case, all you need to do is validate their feelings (“I know this is hard”) and let them know you’re confident they can handle the situation themselves.

Once you know what’s going on, you and your child can work together on a plan. Ask “Is there anything in particular that’s worrying you?” “How can we make things easier? “Is there anyone else, like a friend or other family you’d like to talk to about this?” Make it clear that, while you’ll do everything you can to offer support, ultimately your child’s job is to go to school, and staying home is not an option.

There might be something that’s happened recently that could be contributing to the anxiety, such as an illness or death in the family, or a fight with a friend. Anxiety is also often the result of not enough sleep or improper eating.

Finding solutions can give children the confidence to deal with worries about stressful situations, and feeling in control will make your child feel more independent. Most children are extremely resilient and will be just fine once they get through an adjustment period.

As the most important role model for your child, don’t forget to lead by example when it comes to self-care. If you’re feeling exhausted or upset yourself, you might be inadvertently giving off an anxious vibe. Small things that create a brief transition, like a few deep breaths or getting a drink of water can be very helpful. Encourage your kids to join you in healthy coping activities, like getting a drink of water, going for a walk, or blowing bubbles, which usually makes everyone, no matter how young or old, feel better.

Some worry is natural after any transition — especially these days when children are being asked to do many new things all at once. But if your child refuses to go to school on a regular basis or has problems staying in school, school anxiety (also known as school refusal) may be the cause.

Often a symptom of a deeper problem, anxiety-based school refusal affects 2 to 5% of children aged 5 – 6, and/or 10-11, usually at times of stressful transition, such as a move or a new school. Children who suffer from school refusal tend to have average or above-average intelligence. But if their fears keep them away from school and friends for any length of time, counseling is a helpful solution.

At the Strelitz International Academy, we understand that school can be stressful for students. All students participate in recess daily and take brain breaks in class in between subjects. SIA school counselors are available to meet with students when they need an outlet to talk. In addition, we have a partnership with Jewish Family Service for students and families who need further resources.

Are You Looking for a Private Kindergarten School in Virginia Beach or near Chesapeake, VA?

Strelitz International Academy is one of the best private schools in southeastern Virginia. All of the instructors in our IB® Primary Years Programme (PYP), make compassionate instruction a priority. We believe your child will flourish in our environment, thanks to smaller class sizes, a unique curriculum, and exemplary teachers, staff, and administrators. Our goal is to put your child on the path to a lifelong love of learning and educational excellence.

We invite you to visit and learn more about our curriculum. Click here to find out more, or please give us a call at 757-424-4327.

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