Learning and Growing
Having fun at Castles Daycare Academy
Earlier in my career as a kindergarten teacher, I was always appreciative of parents who understood the importance of readiness skills in the classroom. To develop these, parents often enrolled their child in a local preschool, where through play and hands-on activities they had opportunities to practice early literacy skills such as recognizing letters, sounds and basic sight words. While educational modules are an important component of the preschool experience, just as important is social and emotional development, with skills such as how to get along and be more independent part of that curriculum.
As a grandmother wearing a different hat today, I get to see firsthand what preschoolers are learning through the experiences of my three-year-old grandson, Carson. Excited to participate in the end-of-year program at Salem Lutheran Church Preschool, recently, Carson couldn’t wait for the big day. Having a theme of farm and farmers, the teachers made sure the children were dressed in appropriate gear of over-alls, straw hats and red bandanas. Singing and sometimes giggling throughout the performance, the children proudly showed off their accomplishments and knowledge. It was obvious from the response of the audience that everyone enjoyed the presentation, truly amazed at what the children had learned.
Although I enjoy my visits to Salem Lutheran Preschool as grandma, I also enjoy visiting other preschools as an author, reading and sharing my books. An especially interesting visit happened this past spring at Castles Day Care Academy in Charlotte, NC. Before I could do my presentation, the children surprised me by performing part of their normal morning routine, including the Pledge of Allegiance, Bible verses and songs. Amazed at their memorization skills, I was also amazed at their beautiful voices. The children sang, clapped, danced and rapped songs about the planets, days of the week, letters, sounds and numbers. I was so moved with the moment, I even joined in singing and clapping, This Little Light of Mine.
Although I started in education as a kindergarten teacher, I retired as a music teacher, so with that background, one of the things that impressed me most was how all the children, ages 2-5, were participating. Not only were they singing every word, but they were moving and dancing as well. Later, talking with Cynthia Knight, the owner of Castles Day Care Academy, she explained it’s easy to teach children concepts when music is a part of their learning process.
I wish public school teachers had the freedom to incorporate more of this “tool” into their day, but instead it seems there’s less and less time for music and the arts. With all the research that shows music and the arts help the development of the brain, you would think administrators would embrace them in their schools and communities, but with funding cuts they seem to be one of the first items to go. Hopefully, preschools will continue to lead the way by demonstrating in various ways such as performance and hands-on activities the importance in a child’s development.
Through the years, “believing a good foundation is what builds the house,” Cynthia has nurtured and taught over 500 children in the same location at Castles Day Care Academy on Barrington Drive in Charlotte. As I watched the children’s smiling faces that morning, I could understand why she doesn’t have to advertise because it was obvious her students are growing and learning, knowing they are loved, not only by Cynthia, but by everyone on her staff.
To read more about my visit to Castles Day Care Academy, check out this Salisbury Post link. If interested in learning more about the programs offered at the daycare, check out their website at www.castlesdaycare.com
Do you know of other preschools going above and beyond in teaching children, inspiring them through positive “tools” such as music? If so, leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
