Time to Think About Preschool

For parents of children who will be 2.9 or older by September, it may be hard to imagine how children might be ready for the play experiences and structure of a preschool classroom. It may seem early, but this could be the best time to start planning for preschool next fall if you haven’t started the process yet.

There is a great deal to be gained by starting preschool when a child is 3 or almost 3. Children this age are ready for social experiences with both adults and children outside of their home environment. In high quality preschools, teachers foster a sense of community and belonging, and actively help children connect to the other children engaged in play. They help children develop the language to share ideas, and help them learn how to express feelings as they share space and materials.

Children this age are curious about the world and their environment. They benefit from having uninterrupted time with the stimulating, diverse and possibly unfamiliar materials that a high quality classroom environment can offer. They develop their language by listening to and speaking with adults and other children as conversations, books, and stories are shared. Following the children’s lead, and joining children as they investigate and think about the materials and experiences at school, teachers can help deepen each child’s engagement and focus.

Learning Circle Preschool is located at the foot of the Great Blue Hill on the Milton/Canton border and serves preschool and kindergarten children and their families from Milton, Canton, and the surrounding communities. Founded on respectful and nurturing interactions between teachers, children, and families, the program strives to build on each child’s curiosity and creativity through a project oriented, emergent curriculum model inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia. The Learning Circle Preschool places great emphasis on individual attention, and the children who attend enjoy a low student/teacher ratio. Professional and experienced teachers staff our three spacious classrooms and playground designed to take advantage of the natural elements that surround us in our location near the Blue Hills Reservation. Programs during the academic year include two, three, five day, and extended day enrichment program options.

In addition to these morning and enrichment programs for preschool and kindergarteners, families can elect to use extended day programs that run to either 3:30 or 4:30 pm Monday - Thursday.

Prospective parents and their children are welcome to visit Learning Circle at 3 Blue Hill River Road, Canton, MA. The visits, held during school hours, give parents and children a chance to meet with director Katrina Selawsky, to talk about each family’s specific needs, and to see the classrooms while children are in session.

For more information or an appointment, please call Katrina at 781-828-4800 or visit the school's website:www.learningcirclepreschool.org.

For more information about choosing a high quality preschool visit naeyc at: http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/good-preschool-your-child.