We’re celebrating four years!
SPECIAL SECTION:
EDUCATION
EARLY EDUCATION
IN THE HEART OF TREESDALE
• Now enrolling children 6 weeks to 5 years old.
• Part-time or full-time care and preschool.
• Conveniently located in Treesdale across from Market Square.
• Indoor gym & outdoor fenced-in playground.
• Open from 6:30am - 6:00pm.
• We provide morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack.
CALL OR EMAIL
TODAY FOR A
TOUR!
615 Warrendale Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044
724-625-4029
[email protected]
www.littleappleseedlearningcenter.net.
Check us out on Facebook
VOLLEYBALL
Want to play
some volleyball?
FALL PROGRAMS
Fall Ball Gr. 5-12
Fall Ball Junior Gr. K-4
Volley Tots Age 2-4
Programs, Clinics and More Gr. K-12
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!
For more information contact us
[email protected]
www.pittsburghelite.org
42
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
icmags.com
The next generation is starting to have children. This generation grew up in the
1980s and early 1990s, when televisions were “old news” and computers were just
starting to creep into people’s homes. Gen Yers, as they’ve been named, can still
vividly remember the sound of the dial-up tone as they anticipated the number of
emails that would rush into their inbox once the modem finally connected. For these
new parents, the answer to any question is, and almost always was, just a click away.
These parents are aware of the benefits of early childhood learning and of the
plethora of options available to them. In addition, shifting demographic patterns,
with an increase in two working parents and single-parent households, are calling for
affordable options for child care.
As the importance and positive impact that early childhood education has
on toddlers is realized, the demand for early education options continues to
increase and expand offerings. A few key focus areas have been identified as
important initiatives that will shape the young minds of the future, including
early literacy, technology in the classroom, and emotional, cognitive, social early
learning (ECSEL).
Early literacy teaches children letter recognition, word sounds, vocabulary, and
awareness of storytelling. Each of these key fundamental elements helps lay the
groundwork for success in reading in the future. Early literacy programs can also be
found at local libraries as a way for parents to engage their children even if they are
not enrolled in a preschool program.
Technology is something our children must learn and understand to succeed
today. But it is important for technology in the classroom to be used properly and
not abused. Early childhood educators are combining technologies with other types
of play and hands-on activities to get the most out of the tools available to them.
Such tools allow for young learners to work cooperatively on learning activities with
the use of technology to enhance their lessons.
ECSEL focuses on teaching children how to understand and manage emotions
to become more confident, resilient, and understanding, which are all critical to the
success of a young learner. Laying the foundation to build an early understanding
of feelings and emotions allows children to better recognize emotions in others and
how to cope with them. These valuable life skills add a tremendous amount of value
to a young child’s understanding of healthy relationships with his/her peers. ■