IN Murrysville Fall 2018 | Page 17

Assistance, Resources, and Support) program focuses on the importance of employing quality staff, professional development, early learning programs, partnerships with family and the community, and leadership and management of facilities. Within these structured guidelines, the state aims to ensure that quality care is provided to preschool-aged students at all facilities. But some educational daycares are working to “up the ante” on the level of education students receive. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, there are a variety of ways to implement effective classroom practices involving technology and interactive media. As preschoolers are immersed in the use of technology at home—with their parents on their phones, siblings on their tablets, and watching others use the computer—they are curious about the technologies around them. From a young age, they are encouraged to communicate using a variety of expressions; whether it is through coloring, painting, creative movement, singing or talking, children look to the world of possibilities to be creative. Digital technology is another outlet for learning and creativity, and with its inherent use throughout homes in the U.S., children are learning to explore touchscreens and other forms of interactive media. Educational daycares are utilizing digital technologies to explore e-books, watch educational videos, and explore places and things that children may not see within their own environment (videos about visiting a factory, or pictures of people and places that are foreign to them). Programs that allow students to freely explore these types of digital media are designed to facilitate active and creative use and are encouraged to be done with other children and adults as a form of social engagement. Use of technologies is only one of the variety of options that figure into the aspects of choosing a classroom that is right for a young learner. Parents are playing a larger role in shaping their early learners with the choice of play-based learning programs versus academic learning programs. Play-based or child-centered programs focus on the current interests of the child. Classrooms are set up in different sections, such as a kitchen, home, science area, reading nook, or water area, for kids to engage in social interactions with others and learn valuable skills based from play. Academic or didactic, teacher-directed programs are structured with a curriculum involving planned activities guided by teachers and designed to prepare students for a kindergarten-type setting. Either method for learning prepares young children for their future interactions, both socially and educationally. Finding the learning style that best suits your own child’s needs will set him/her up for success. K-12 EDUCATION It is early in education that students start to become competent in utilizing the tools needed in our society. Reading, writing, math and language skills are all core competencies Continued on next page > Open 6 am-6:30 pm, year round, only closed the 6 legal holidays, NEVER closed due to weather Accepting children age 6 weeks through the 5th grade • Serving a hot breakfast and lunch daily with a morning and afternoon snack • Two outdoor play areas, one indoor gym and a brand new activity room with climbing walls!! • We have been open for over 32 years with very low staff turnover We are located at 3089 Carson Ave. in Murrysville, right off of Hwy. 22, which is ideal for parents working in Monroeville or Pittsburgh! Please call 724-733-7332 for more information and a tour, mention this ad and receive free registration(a $40 value) MURRYSVILLE ❘ FALL 2018 15