It’s a new era for kids

Life is a constant state of seeing new possibilities and learning from past mistakes. There’s a time to tear down the old standards and make room for better ideas. This is true of many things, and one of them is childcare. As I was writing this article, a favorite song came to mind:

It’s a new dawn

It’s a new day

It’s a new life for me

— “Feeling Good”
Anthony NewleyLeslie Bricusse

Living in the 21st century has so many advantages however there are many societal norms which have created unexpected disadvantages.  Most of these issues come from the difference in how we were raised to what we know today about how to raise thriving children. 

We’ve had to contend with our own upbringing and learn from the mistakes our parents made. And as uncomfortable as it makes us, we must accept that our own parenting will come with mistakes of its own, for multiple reasons– clinging to past ideas, pressing into new ones, and dealing with the difference in a changing society.

This is an especially hard time emotionally, as our children are all post 9/11, in a new political era, and are still reeling from the behavioral norms and societal fissures created by the COVID pandemic.  Old norms of how we treat one another have been rewritten. We are tasked with understanding the differences in now and then, and accepting that what may have worked for our own parents may cause harm in a different era as well as understanding that that some of what did work for our parents and grandparents had to do with connection and closeness.

I’ve discovered a book that meets the challenges of this time, and want to recommend it to parents who are looking to keep up with the times for their children’s better development.

Childcare is an Evolving Science

We learn more day-by-day about how children learn, grow, and thrive. In his book “21st Century Parenting: A Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient Children,” Dr. Rick Capaldi outlines the importance of building emotional resilience in children and provides practical strategies for parents to do so.

One key aspect of 21st Century Parenting is understanding that emotions are not inherently good or bad, but rather a natural response to our experiences. As such, Capaldi emphasizes the importance of teaching children how to manage and regulate their emotions rather than suppress them. 

He also highlights the role of technology in modern parenting and offers tips on setting boundaries while allowing children to benefit from its advantages. Furthermore, Capaldi stresses the significance of fostering strong relationships with both parents and peers as well as promoting a growth mindset in children. 

One of his most important ideas is that “when your child is in school, you are in school, too”. If you want the best outcome for your child, you must accept that you don’t have all the answers and prepare to engage with your child in a way that brings you both understanding and enlightenment. Only by taking an active role in your child’s education will the family achieve success in their mutual education.

Overall, Capaldi offers a comprehensive approach to 21st Century Parenting, providing valuable insight and practical advice for parents looking to raise emotionally resilient children.

It’s time to let go of the past

Dr. Spock has had his time, and was extremely helpful for new parents in his era, but in a post-Spock world, it’s time to look to new, research-based thinking in how to supply our children with the tools to handle the complex new world they’ve inherited. 

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we’d like to invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 am until 5:45 pm, Monday through Friday.

How does a parent decide what kind of preschool their child should attend to begin their education? When parents first start looking for their child’s preschool, they are usually looking for a school that will replicate the kind of focus that they have at home. They’re looking for a ‘good fit’ for their child — a place their child can do well in, and grow confident in themselves.

If you aren’t aware, there are many different kinds of preschools for your child, including the ‘sit and watch television’ daycare models (no, thank you). But there are five basic archetypes for actual preschools dedicated to giving your child a learning experience with direct supervision. The spectrum seems to run on a line going from rigorous academics to exploring a child’s potential through child-led exploration to simple free play. At Creekside Kids, we’re not on the extreme end of either side of the spectrum–we are in the middle, taking the best of each method depending upon the needs of the actual children in our care.

What are the five different types of preschools?

Academic-Based — these schools are most focused on fitting your square peg child into the round hole. To quote Sarah Punkoney of stayathomeeducator.com, “Academic or skills-based programs are teacher directed and managed.  This means that children have limited choice in the learning that takes place and how that learning happens.” This approach molds the child on a predetermined path. Although our view of this may make it sound harsh, please bear in mind that many children thrive on this approach– but what concerns us at Creekside is the holistic development of the whole child.

Montessori — the difference between the Montessori approach and Academic-based learning is that the child chooses how to squeeze their square peg potential into that round hole. The lesson plans are customized by the child’s aptitudes and interests. The Montessori system has a marvelous reputation for giving children a better chance. Being self-directed is very important in this model–especially as kids mature.

Waldorf — to stick to our analogy, the Waldorf model looks to find a universal shape that all children can fit into, building well-rounded children who are mindful and have received personal attention along the way.  The Waldorf model has a specific scope and sequence for each grade and has great respect for rhythm and routine.  The development of a child’s hands (physical health and growth), heart (non secular spiritual/social/emotional growth) and mind (academics, inquisitiveness and contemplative skills). 

Reggio Emilia — this is Creekside’s holistic approach. In the analogy, this is about finding the precise shape for the child’s peg to fit, even if your child’s star-shape allows them to fit in a round hole. Play is greatly incorporated into lessons and is encouraged as a learning tool. It’s important to Reggio Emilia education to focus on finding that star-shaped hole to guide your child into their future, respecting their individual needs and giving them the kind of attention that translates into a sense of self-worth.  In each Reggio Emilia or Reggio Emilia influenced school (like Creekside Kids) we ask who are the children in our care?  Who are their families and what do they need/value?  Then what community do they live in and how can we help the children develop into successful members of that community?  We do this by observing how the children play, what they talk about, what they create through free art, etc.  We then take their interests and build the ABCs and 123s into exploring those topics. 

Play-Based — when academic preparation isn’t the concern, but learning social/emotional skills is, that is play-based preschool. While children may learn a few academics such as the alphabet song, counting to 10 or 20 and how to write their name, they do it without much pressure or guidance from educators. For the children, academic learning is done on their own terms and in their own time.  You’ll see a lot of “centers” in the classroom such as “kitchen/house”, “library”, “sensory table”, “music” and “art”.  At Creekside Kids, we have those centers too but we add in much more teacher interaction, experiments, exploratory play and focus not just on the social/emotional play approach. 

All of these styles have merit and any might be right for your child. At Creekside Kids, we largely favor the Reggio Emilia approach with influence from the Play-Based approach and we pull from the routines and literacy methods of the Waldorf approach.  We provide a combined approach because we feel it creates the greatest opportunities to respect what is unique and special in each child. If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we’d like to invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 am until 5:45 pm, Monday through Friday.