Babies are born with approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain. However, the majority are not yet connected. As the child grows and learns, the brain begins to make essential connections. The rational part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex which adults use to think, is not fully developed until age 25. The brain is most receptive to learning during the first five years of life. Preschool brain development has a major impact on child development. By the age of 3, the brain is about 80 percent of an adult size brain. By age 5, the brain is 90 percent or nearly full grown.

Early Brain Development

A baby is born with all of the brain cells that they will have for the rest of their lives. However, it is the connection between these cells that enable us to think, communicate, move, and perform other essential tasks. The building of massive neuron connections is most prevalent during the first few years of life. During this time, children are able to adapt to their environment and strengthen their ability to learn through regular stimulation and communication in their home and in outside educational settings.

Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. For example, the cerebrum, which accounts for 80 percent of the brain, is used to interpret sensations such as hearing, vision, smell, and touch. It also controls our emotions and feelings. The cerebellum, which accounts for 11 percent of the brain, controls learning, balance, and “automate” movements, such as the ability to type quickly on a keyboard. The brain stem, which runs from the spinal cord to right under the cerebrum, is essential for maintaining life. It controls breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, and the reticular activating system (RAS).

A child’s daily experiences early in life help determine which brain connections develop. One of the most important influences is a child’s relationship with the adults in her or her life. By creating loving relationships with responsive adults, children are able to develop healthy development in a stable, safe, and nurturing environment. These relationships start at home with parents and siblings. Different parenting styles can also affect child brain development. Once a child reaches school age, healthy outside relationships can develop with teachers, childcare providers, and other members of the community.

Nurturing Child Preschool Brain Development

It is important for parents to encourage stimulating activities that enhance mental and physical development early in life. Preschool brain development primarily focuses on hands-on learning and direct interactions. Young children are able to develop concrete skills through regular practice of abstract thinking, memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities. Simple board games that help develop problem solving skills, age-appropriate puzzles that provide fun challenges, and categorization activities help grow essential skills like memory and concentration. At preschool age, children can also learn through make-believe and imaginative play which grows their creative thinking skills.

It is important to remember that preschool children are sensory learners who enjoy smelling, tasting, and touching in an attempt to explore their surroundings. Help your child learn and grow by letting them feel new textures, sing songs, and look at pictures. Encourage motor development through physical activities, such as dressing and undressing on their own, kicking a ball, or using a pencil to draw basic shapes. Remember that every child grows and develop skills at their own pace. It is completely normal for a child to be behind in one area, such as language, while being ahead in another area, such as motor development.

Attending Christ Lutheran Church Preschool

Preschool provides young children with a head start to learning and development. Although kindergarten is typically seen as the real “first” grade, more and more parents are starting to realize the importance of preschool for brain development. Attending a Christian play-based preschool can help children form strong values based on the principles found in the Bible. Play-based learning incorporates various forms of sensory learning, and may include activities relating to nature, arts, and music. Educators in these settings often encourage play-based learning through imaginative, stimulating games and exploration. Christian classrooms are strategically structured with the unique needs of preschool children in mind.

A child is more likely to excel if they are in a loving and nurturing environment that is fun and accepting of differences. At the Christ Lutheran Church Preschool, there is a strong emphasis on social development which helps young children learn love and consideration for others. The curriculum also recognizes learning in many areas with activities such as group sharing, arts and crafts, outdoor play, fine and gross motor development, stories and puppets, family activities, and bible-based weekly chapel. For more information about preschool brain development or how to enroll your child in a Christian play-based preschool, contact the Christ Lutheran Church Preschool today.

You may already have done more to prepare your toddler for preschool than you think. The best preparation may require a few tweaks to your child’s routine and a little parental homework. What you want to avoid is overwhelming your little one with anticipation of the experience. Starting preschool is an exciting step, but your overhyping it can build unnecessary anxiety.

What You Can Do Before Preschool Begins

Here are some things that child psychologists and teachers recommend doing as ways to help your toddler get the most out of a preschool program.

Establish a Schedule and Stick to It

You probably already have a schedule that everyone in your household follows. Your toddler has a time to wake up and get dressed, a time for meals, nap time, time for play, time for bed, and so forth. This helps give your child a sense of structure, order, and what to expect each day.

Establishing a schedule means setting a routine with tasks to help your child understand self-reliance and the importance of rules. For example, breakfast at a set time each day could mean the child should wake up by a certain time, be dressed, make the bed, and brush teeth. If you have not already set a daily schedule and routines for your little one, it is time to start. If you already have one, make sure you stick to it. Getting your toddler acclimated to the idea of a schedule with rules to follow is one of the best ways to help your child adjust to a preschool program. The sense of security fostered by schedules and routines will stay with your child for life.

Give Responsibility for Completing Small Tasks

A toddler should be able to learn to do simple tasks without much supervision. Examples include putting away toys, putting on a coat and boots, and bringing dirty tableware to the sink. Make a game out of it by giving them a treat the first time they complete the task.

Story Time

Include time in the schedule for reading stories to your toddler out loud. Reading out loud to your child stimulates the imagination and helps them learn vocabulary and verbal skills. To prepare them for a Christian preschool experience, you can include bible stories in your story reading.

You can incorporate story time into your schedule any time of day. Your toddler will look forward to this special time every day. By the time preschool starts, reading will be a fun and familiar activity. Christ Lutheran Preschool incorporates story time into every day activities.

Visit the Preschool Before School Starts

Selecting the preschool for your toddler probably included a personal visit to the facility. You met some of the school staff and teachers, toured the facility, and learned about the program’s teaching philosophy. Arrange to bring your child for a preview as well. Let the child see the environment, meet the teacher, walk around the facility, and even play on the playground. This would be a good time to describe to your child what his or her school day will be like when school starts. Let them know how much fun it will be meeting new friends, learning about new things with them, playing on the playground, making arts and crafts, and so forth. Christ Lutheran Preschool is always open to visits if your child wishes to visit the school early.

Listen to What Your Child Says about Starting Preschool

Casually encourage your little one to talk about starting preschool. You are likely to hear a mix of worry and excitement. You can reassure him or her that these feelings are normal but preschool will be lots of fun and is a part of “growing up”, then describe what you remember about your first day of school and how you were a little scared but then you had a lot of fun. Let your child know that even though they will be away from you for a few hours each school day, you will be there at the end of the school day to bring them home.

Get Organized

Think about what you will and your child will need for the first week of school. Go shopping for clothing, backpacks, and any supplies your toddler may need. Submit any paperwork the school requires before the first day of school. Have food for snacks or mid-day meals ready to go. Having it all ready before the first day will reduce the level of stress on everyone. On the first day, plan to stay with your child for 15 or 20 minutes to help meet a few classmates, find a place to sit, and so forth. Then give your child a hug good-bye, tell the child you know they will have fun today, and you’ll be back to pick them up and hear all about it.

Contact Christ Lutheran Preschool for More Information

For a wonderful Christian preschool experience, contact Christ Lutheran Preschool for more information about their program. The staff would be happy to meet with you and help you prepare your toddler for a Christian preschool program that will provide your little one with a solid foundation for an academic education. Contact Christ Lutheran Preschool soon to enroll your child in a Christian preschool program.

One of the most important factors to consider in selecting a preschool for your child is whether the school offers the kind of preschool environment that will prepare your child for elementary school and beyond. A play-based preschool program is designed to do just that.

Preschool children learn through meaningful play activities. The teaching staff guides them in the direction they need to go to learn academic and social skills for themselves. Play activities are often very engaging and open-ended to provide students with opportunities for self-accomplishment and self-discovery. Play-based programs take advantage of the highly engaging nature of children’s play and use it for a deeper exploration of the science and academic concepts underneath.

Below are four of the top reasons why a play-based curriculum like that offered by Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool provides your child with a better learning environment and developmental advantages over an academic program.

1. The Play-Based Educational Philosophy at Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool Will Allow Your Child to Thrive

The preschool educational philosophy applied by Fairfax Christ Lutheran focuses on social development, and self-discovery. We believe children learn better through play in a safe and nurturing environment. The play-based preschool philosophy is designed to enrich the whole child, including social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development. Through a play-based program that attends to the whole child, we strive to foster a sense of community that will sustain and enrich the children throughout their lives.

Other preschools may emphasize academics such as reading and math. Studies show that an emphasis on academic learning at the preschool level is too early for long-term effectiveness. Play-based learning is the most effective way to prepare a preschool child with the foundation necessary to succeed as the child grows.

Our curriculum introduces basic academic skill using activity-based experiences. For example, the children will begin learning the alphabet and begin numbers and counting, as well as spend time with arts and music activities.

Children who have attended Fairfax Christ Lutheran preschool are well grounded and prepared to move on. They are socially ready for kindergarten and better prepared to learn the academics once in elementary school. The elementary school staff wants the preschool to prepare the children socially and let the elementary school take the children forward academically.

All curriculums at Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool are designed to help impart to the children the belief that each child can become a doer, a leader, and a nurturer. We believe that preschool is time to learn social and emotional skills so your child is well-equipped to move forward academically.

2. Play-Based Learning Involves a Wide Range of Activities

In play-based learning, your child will learn by doing. In the context of learning, play covers a lot of different experiences. Play may be described as:

• Pleasurable – play is generally a pleasurable activity – Although play sometimes includes frustrations, challenges and fears, enjoyment is a key feature – Your child will learn to deal with the challenges while having fun
• Symbolic – play can involve “pretend” activities that stimulate the child’s imagination – the play has meaning to the child that may not be apparent to the teacher
• Active – play requires activity, often physical, verbal, and mental engagement
• Self- motivating – play is often open-ended and its own reward to the child

It is well-known that play is an important element of learning in preschool age children. Ample research and evidence show that children learn and develop most effectively through play.

3. Play-Based Learning Promotes Healthy Brain Development in Your Child

Child development experts believe that play actually affects the structural design of the brain. In addition, security in relationships and brain stimulation are significant aspects of brain development. Play-based learning offers your child many opportunities for active and stimulating exploration which assists your child build strong brain pathways.

Play helps your child develop a brain with increased potential for learning later in life.
Instead of traditional academic preschool programs, a play-based program allows children to explore, identify, negotiate, take risks and create meaning for themselves. The cognitive benefits of playing are well-documented. It helps them develop sound memory and language skills, along with instilling good self-control.

4. Parental Involvement is Appropriate and Encouraged

With a Christian play-based program, parents can easily participate in the classroom activities. The parent helper can provide assistance by helping organize and prepare craft supplies, helping the students wash hands, guiding the children during clean up time and other similar activities.

By being in the classroom, the parents help to foster a healthy and nurturing environment that facilitates active participation by the children.

Contact Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool for More Information

At Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool, the teachers and staff believe in the success record of a Christian play-based preschool. We hope you will contact us to schedule a tour of our beautiful school grounds and meet their loving and caring teachers and staff members. They are happy to talk to you and can provide you with contact information of many satisfied parents of their students.

Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool Could Be the Best Preschool for Your Child

Not all preschools are the same. Selecting the best preschool for your child is a big decision — one that requires consideration of many factors. One of the most important factors to consider is the school offers the kind of preschool environment that will prepare your child for elementary school and beyond. Here at Fairfax Christ Lutheran preschool, our dedicated teachers and staff will help you understand just why we may be the best preschool for your child.

Below is a description of the advantages Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool offers over other public and private preschools.

Our Educational Philosophy Will Allow Your Child to Thrive

The preschool educational philosophy applied by Fairfax Christ Lutheran is through social development, with an emphasis on play-based learning. We believe children learn through play in a safe and nurturing environment. The play-based preschool philosophy is designed to enrich your child holistically, including social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development. Also, being affiliated with the church means your child will learn Christian values. Through a play-based program that attends to your child’s total development, we strive to foster a sense of community that will sustain and enrich the children throughout their lives.

Other preschools may emphasize academics such as reading and math. Studies show that an emphasis on academic learning at the preschool level is too early for long-term effectiveness. Play-based learning is the most effective way to prepare a preschool child with the foundation necessary to succeed as the child grows.

Our curriculum introduces basic academic skills using activity-based experiences. For example, the children will begin learning the alphabet and begin numbers and counting, as well as spend time with arts and music activities.

We have discussed our curriculum with teachers and administrators from Fairfax County Public Schools, and we are pleased to report that the children who have attended Fairfax Christ Lutheran preschool are well grounded and prepared to move on. They are socially ready for kindergarten and better prepared to learn the academics once in elementary school. The elementary school staff wants the preschool to prepare the children socially and let the elementary school take the children forward academically.

All curriculums at Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool are designed to help children believe that they can become a doer, a leader, and a nurturer. We work to encourage children to develop lifelong Christian values and to be sensitive to each other, their environment, and the world at large. We believe that preschool is time to learn social and emotional skills so your child is well-equipped to move forward academically.

Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool Teachers Love What They Do

The teachers are happy with the school, its philosophy, and its environment. Our teachers see children as unique individuals and respond to their individual needs.

We Encourage Parental Involvement

Many parents want to be involved in their child’s preschool activities. We request parents help in their child’s classroom on a rotating basis to support the teacher during the class session. The parent helper provides assistance by setting out craft supplies, helping the students wash hands, guiding the children during clean up time and other like activities.

By being in the classroom, the parent observes the teacher and what is going on in the classroom, gets to know the teacher and the other children well. Parents love seeing their children interacting with playmates and they are confident that their children are in a loving, caring environment.

Multiple Class Schedules

The preschool classes are offered at different dates and times to accommodate the developmental ages of the children. You can determine which class schedule is most suitable for your child’s needs and your own schedule.

Also, the preschool generally follows the same general schedule for holidays as the Fairfax County public schools.

Before and After Care to Help Busy Parents

We offer before school care, lunch bunch, enrichment classes, and after school care. We are in the process of adding before and after school programs for our preschoolers beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Contact Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool For More Information

At Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool, the teachers and staff know that selecting the right preschool is an important first step in the development of your child. We hope you will contact us to schedule a tour of our beautiful Northern Virginia preschool grounds and meet their loving and caring teachers and staff members. They are happy to talk to you and can provide you with contact information of many satisfied parents of their students.

As the parent of a toddler, you probably are already thinking about finding the right preschool. Take time to do thorough research on Fairfax preschools near you. If you live in a metropolitan area like northern Virginia, the competition for the best schools may be stiff. You should start checking into your options about a year before you plan to enroll your child. Here at Fairfax Christ Lutheran preschool, our dedicated teachers and staff are available to assist you in your search.

Once you have identified several schools that fit your basic practical needs, such as proximity to home or work, class size, and cost, you need to find out whether the school offers the kind of preschool environment that will prepare your child for elementary school and beyond. Here are seven important questions to ask to find out about the curriculum and get a sense of the staff’s level of commitment to the school’s program. The answers to these questions should help you select from a pool of Fairfax preschools and choose the best one for your child.

What is the school’s educational philosophy?

The answer to this important question will give you a good idea whether your child will thrive in the school’s educational style. Some preschool philosophies such as Fairfax Christ Lutheran preschool are on social development, and learning is more play-based. Other Fairfax preschools may introduce academics such as reading and math. Some preschools follow specific educational models such as the play-based Montessori Method where the teacher guides the children through intellectually stimulating puzzles and games. Other approaches include the play/activity-based Waldorf approach which does not introduce academics, or the Reggio Emilia system designed to teach cooperative problem-solving skills. Some may be a mixture of these. Note that preschools that are affiliated with a church are likely to impart Christian values.

What is the teacher turnover rate?

Use this question to determine if the teachers are happy with the school and its environment. Use it to initiate a discussion about the level of education of the teachers and what kind of training they have had. The teachers should have at least a Child Development Associate credential. Find out what experience they have had. Find out if they are certified in CPR and first aid.

What is the policy on aftercare?

You need to know whether the school offers any extended day programs or before or after care hours. Some Fairfax preschools offer programs and activities after the school day has ended. These services usually add to the cost, but consider whether it makes sense for your schedule and your child’s development.

What is the discipline policy?

Engage in a detailed discussion about the school’s disciplinary policies. Find out how the teachers communicate to the children what the rules of behavior are and how the teachers encourage a positive environment. How is appropriate interaction encouraged? Do they use a rewards/recognition program for good behavior? How do they handle conflict resolution? The school likely has policies on how to deal with fighting, biting, hitting, and so forth. Often, the teacher will redirect a misbehaving child’s attention, followed by a time out if redirection does not work. If the teacher uses timeouts, find out if the child will sit alone or with a teacher or adult volunteer. You also need to learn how the school handles communications with the parents as specific behavioral or developmental issues arise.

How much play time do the children have each day?

Children need a lot of play time. They need time to burn off energy, exercise their imaginations, and develop fine motor skills. Make sure your child will have plenty of free play time and time for structured activities designed to develop those skills. Those activities may include coloring, cutting and pasting, and so forth. Find out what activities different Fairfax preschools offer and the amount of time each day that is devoted to them.

What is the nap-time policy?

Naps are important to young children’s development. Nap time should occur at the same time each day. How long is nap time at this preschool? Find out what nap supplies you need to provide for your child and how they need to be cleaned.

What is the policy on communications with parents?

You need to be confident that the school will keep you informed regularly about changes to curriculum, policies, or activities that affect your child. You may be expected to attend meetings with the teacher periodically to discuss your child’s progress. If you are a parent who wishes to become involved with the school’s activities or volunteer, find out how to do it.

Contact Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool for more information

At Fairfax Christ Lutheran Preschool, the teachers and staff know that selecting the right preschool is an important first step in the development of your child. They hope you will contact them to schedule a tour of their beautiful school grounds and meet their loving and caring teachers and staff members. They can provide you with contact information of many satisfied parents of their students.