As our 16th President Abraham Lincoln is quoted to have said, “a capacity, and taste, for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others.” The ability to read is the cornerstone of a good childhood education. While no one may ask whether or not you can do long division, reading is a requirement if you want to attend college. It is also necessary for most jobs, and leads to a more fulfilling life.

The time has come, your baby is ready to leave the nest and transition into kindergarten. Or is she? Not all children develop at the same rate, and not all children will be ready to advance to kindergarten when schools recommend it.

Starting your kindergartner in private school will have great immediate social and educational benefits. Students in private schools have more access to teachers, smaller classrooms, and a childhood education based on their family’s faith preference. But there are excellent long-term benefits to being an alumnus of a private institution like St. Barnabas School.

The transition from staying at home with mom or dad, to spending the day in a kindergarten classroom is a huge adjustment for many children. In addition to leaving the comfort of home, children are confronted with a large group of new people, in a new scenario, with new rules, and new activities. That’s a lot for a young child to adjust to.

Is your young child nervous about leaving the comfort of home and starting school as a kindergartener? For many children, the initial transition into a classroom environment can be difficult. Children are attached to their parents and find comfort and safety within their home and family structure. Fear of starting school for the first time is normal and there are many factors which make a private school education a suitable transition for apprehensive kindergarteners.

There is a great deal of research discussing the importance of kindergarten in a child's future development. In addition to the foundational academic goals that your children will meet during their young school years, they also begin to develop critical social and lifestyle skills that will help them excel in their future endeavors. From developing healthy relationships to maintaining good habits, a good kindergarten education will set your student up for success.

With the school year well underway, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re connected to your kindergartner’s schooling. From announcements to academic progress, there’s a lot to keep track of, and at St. Barnabas Episcopal school we do our best to make sure you have the inside scoop.

As our reliance on technology grows, many may feel that doing things by hand is old fashioned and unnecessary. The drive to incorporate technology into education often causes said technology to replace more traditional assignments. While doing things by hand may not exactly be advanced, it’s an important part of the learning process.

Homework can often be a big point of contention during the school year. This is frequently due to the fact that students may not really understand the purpose of their homework assignments or have so many after school activities scheduled that they’re left with very little free time. Overwhelming work loads can also cause them to resent their at-home assignments, so it’s important that they understand the value and purpose of homework. Communication with your child’s teachers about homework concerns is key to helping maintain an appropriate balance.

If you take the time to observe your children while they play this summer, you can actually learn a lot about where they are developmentally. Making these observations can help you to determine if your child’s social and emotional development is on track and where they have areas of weakness.