Alternative preschool options, such as Kindergarten Prep, use a variety of interactive and hands-on materials to prepare students academically and socially in a safe, controlled environment. This mode of learning is not only beneficial to the long-term development of students, but can also increase district enrollment and sooner long-term retention by appealing to parents seeking flexibility when choosing a path for their youth. students.
“For many families, the challenges of learning in a physical environment vary widely,” says April Warren, director of schools at California Virtual Academies (CAVA). “The option of learning at home in a supportive environment may be the best fit for your lifestyle, goals and/or needs.”
Flexibility for parents = students for districts
For many families, a preschool or pre-K program is the first outside influence their children will be exposed to. Be able to participate in the program. with your child can alleviate anxiety and offer a reassuring sense of confidence that the program will create a positive experience that aligns with their values.
“Since preschool and kindergarten are the first times students experience structured learning, it can be overwhelming,” Ryder says. “In the online format, teachers and parents facilitate the process by constantly meeting with students to help facilitate the founding of friendships by recognizing and greeting classmates by name, as well as sharing and discussing common interests. This also includes providing a platform to safely and comfortably learn about other people who share different interests and values.”
For some parents, this controlled environment relieves a lot of stress or worry about possible bullying or other difficult and unfamiliar social situations that young students may not have the tools to negotiate. Some children who could benefit greatly from an online preschool program like Kindergarten Prep could have developmental delays that could lead to inappropriate behaviors and a negative first school experience. Participating in a program with a parent or caregiver allows all students the opportunity to learn freely in a comfortable environment.
“When preschoolers hit, kick, yell, use harsh language, or refuse to follow adult instructions, their peers don't feel safe. This is why school administrators, teachers, and child care professionals often resort to suspending or expelling a child who behaves in an aggressive or harmful manner,” says P. Gail Williams, MD, author of a Recent report on the harm of early expulsion
Modern learning uses collaboration through integrated caregiver support. A high-value program engages young learners in an accessible way, creating an option for parents who want early childhood learning but need or want their child to be home (for medical, safety, or other reasons).
“We believe that students learn best through hands-on activities in a supportive environment that encourages learning,” Warren says. “For some students, families being able to share that learning at home is the preferred option, due to the safety, privacy and convenience it provides. “Some families need alternative solutions to help their children on their learning journey.”
Offering personalized options online gives all parents the flexibility they need to choose the right path for their children without changing districts. By creating this type of comfortable environment, schools can gain the trust of parents. Building this trust through online and blended learning can encourage families to keep their students enrolled to ensure younger siblings have access to the same successful outcome. In particular, Kindergarten Prep's versatility is key, offering integration as a grade level in an existing full-time school, as a pre-K program in a customized online school, or as a stand-alone product in a school district.
“The need for families in some districts to have access to free transitional kindergarten (TK) is urgent,” Warren says. “Many of our local parents are forced to spend thousands of dollars a month caring for their young children. In this case, our free program is a viable option for them. Last year, 88% of our TK graduates remained in the district and re-enrolled in the kindergarten program.”
Online preschool is social and interactive
A Case for Online Pre-K
California Virtual Academies (CAVA) are nine independent online public charter schools using Stride Learning Solutions curriculum and tools. CAVA uses the Kindergarten Prep curriculum with early education students using topics such as: “Family and Friends,” “My Five Senses,” and “Looking at Animals.” Six subjects are covered in each unit: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, music and art.
“Our mission is to achieve academic growth while cultivating the social and emotional competence of all students. Research studies have shown the powerful benefits of game-based learning for children who have grown up with technology,” said CAVA Head of School April Warren. “The engagement and interactivity that games offer not only make learning fun, but also improve children's retention and application of knowledge.”
RESULTS
● 93% of 2022 CAVA students had 100% mastery of essential math standards at the end of the year.
● 29% of their students demonstrated proficiency in mathematics at the beginning of the school year, increasing to 81% by the end of the year.
● 11% of students demonstrated reading proficiency at the beginning of the school year, increasing to 73% by the end of the year.
● 88% of CAVA Kindergarten Prep graduates in 2022 remained in the district and re-enrolled in the kindergarten program.
CAVA students meet daily with their teachers and classmates in a video-enhanced environment that encourages socialization, daily learning goals, and social-emotional learning while using provided offline materials such as reading books, manipulatives , flash cards, foam dice, science kits and social studies kits. , and more.
“The shift to online learning has shown an increase from pre-pandemic levels across the country and continues to work for many families and students,” says Suzanne McCarty, TK-2 elementary principal. “Providing the opportunity to choose an online learning environment is something we are proud to offer parents, as an individualized approach and a means to help their children thrive in their educational journey.”
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important element in creating a well-rounded learner. These interpersonal lessons start early and, despite preconceptions, don't require a physical game of duck-duck-goose or a shared box of crayons to teach them. Many of the social skills practiced in a traditional classroom are just as present, if not more so, when a student learns from the comfort of her own home.
“An important element of SEL is empathy,” says Cheryl Ryder, SEL instructor and K-2 elementary director at Friendship Charter School Online. “Children who use the online format learn valuable lessons about teamwork and how to encourage others. Children learn patience as they wait their turn to speak and share information. On the online platform, students are encouraged to express their feelings using appropriate vocabulary and are provided with useful tools to help regulate their emotions. Students are not face to face, however, the importance of learning each other's names is highly valued.”
Ryder notes that recognizing familiar letters and sounds has led students to create links between their names. Learning about their home life and daily recreational activities can also offer opportunities for connection.
“With the use of various manipulatives (provided by the Kindergarten Prep curriculum) and everyday items in the home, children engage in hands-on learning,” says Ryder. “An advantage of the online platform is that as children learn, lessons can be expanded by visiting libraries, museums, parks, etc. Educational videos further enhance learning and encourage the use of imagination.”
Interactive formats with vibrant images and creative guided activities offer access to young learners of all levels. Customized plans, online or offline, using physical resource elements such as hands-on resources and connection opportunities to the video environment, allow educators to support students at a flexible pace, accommodating individual progress and learning outcomes. development objectives. The online format allows for greater control over social situations, preventing young minds from wandering and staying on task for better results.
“Our program focuses on developing essential problem-solving skills, implementing language in learning, and age-appropriate collaborative social skills,” Warren says. “We incorporate puppets, songs, dance and more to inspire our youngest students. “We then break down into smaller academic learning sessions that focus on achieving milestones in math, language arts, science, social studies, fine motor skills, music, and art based on the Preschool Foundational Learning Standards.”
Preparing for Kindergarten and Beyond
Created by academics and developmental psychologists, Kindergarten Prep is a state-of-the-art, nationally award-winning online solution. The program trains children ages 3 to 5 with skills that will serve them well long after they put their little tassels aside and head to elementary school. Programs that personalize learning and adapt to each child's own learning pace not only offer a safe and flexible entry into the world of education, but, in an era of endless digital opportunities, teach invaluable tools for the future.
“There is no denying the increased use of technology,” says Ryder. “Students as young as four years old easily develop the skills to navigate online technology, establishing a foundation for the future. Students can learn about themselves, their community, and the world, right at their fingertips. Face-to-face meetings are important; However, the ability to learn in a safe, inspiring, informative and interactive environment has lasting benefits and positively affects self-esteem.”
The true value of a program like Kindergarten Prep is the versatility to help not only students and their families, but also districts, offering a robust range of learning solutions to help all children achieve success.
“Learning should be meaningful and make connections to prior knowledge or experiences,” Warren says. “While children learn differently, all children can learn. Therefore, some children and families need alternative solutions to help their children on their learning journey.”
Learn more about how Kindergarten Prep can meet your needs at: https://stridels.com/curriculum/stride-sprouts
