IN Penn Hills Fall 2018 | Page 26

Education Special Section Krise Transportation, Inc. Proudly Serving the Penn Hills School District NOW HIRING SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, VAN DRIVERS AND MONITORS NEW HIRE CDL CLASSES STARTING SOON 412-793-7000 ext. 1602 7035 Saltsburg Road, Penn Hills 15235 D iscover Saint Joe’s. Discover yourself. CLASS OF 2018 BY THE NUMBERS $5.2 ������� 45% ������� ������������ � ������ ������ GRADUATED WITH A QPA OVER 4.0 Every day is an open house! Just call or email. Admissions Director Mrs. Shane Palumbo ’92 (724) 226–4932 · [email protected] SaintJosephHS.com 24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com 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 that need to be mastered at a young age and are critical for a student’s success. Education is being shaped by incorporating different styles of teaching, accessing new technologies to enhance learning, and ensuring that students leave high school with a sense of confidence to enter the workforce or to continue on to higher education. A variety of trends, disruptions and technologies are shaping the way K-12 schools face their biggest challenges. Engage Parents and Caregivers Parents can’t advocate for their children if they aren’t given the tools to do so. The National Education Association states that by monitoring, supporting, and advocating for their students, parents and caregivers can ensure that their children have an opportunity to be successful in school. By working with your students to set goals, make sure they are on track for academic success, holding