Academics

Research confirms that young minds learn best through play. While children in pre-kindergarten and kindergartens that push academics and reduce playtime have initial gains, those gains are lost by upper elementary. More importantly, by middle school, children who were forced to sit and complete academics at a young age show deficits in gross and fine motor skills, ability to cooperate with others, think creatively, and solve problems independently.

We believe it is time to go back to what childhood should be – learning skills through guided playtime. Play is a child’s work. At Kinder Connection, we serve young children as well as homeschoolers. There are two teachers present and we have limited enrollment to meet each student where they are at on their learning journey.

On this page we describe learning for young children as well as include a section on our homeschool enrichment and support programs.

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”

– Margaret Mead

Here is what learning looks like at Kinder Connection:

Spanish – We speak in both Spanish and English throughout the day, incorporate Spanish songs during circle time, read books in Spanish and English, and have children count and identify some objects in both languages. We are not an immersion program. We believe that exposure to their natural language and a second language helps to provide confidence in both languages.

Math – Math for early learners is about number sense. Whether counting objects as they play, counting the days of the month or sorting shapes, we encourage math literacy throughout the day in a variety of ways. As a general guideline, you can expect your 3-4 year old to be able to count to 10 in English and Spanish. By 5, your child will be able to count to 100. Older children will be introduced to more formal math concepts appropriate to their age and academic level.

Language and Literacy – We use the Heggerty curriculum to develop Phonological Awareness in young learners. This is a multi-sensory curriculum that supplements the Creative Curriculum and is based on the science of reading. We also have a story time each day where children can hear a story read in either English or Spanish. These books introduce multicultural themes. We have books readily available to children based on the theme we are studying. These books are placed on low shelves, so they are easily accessible. We do a variety of choice literacy activities during small group which include group writing on chart paper, journal time, making letters out of playdough, playing language games, learning songs, chants, and fingerplays to increase knowledge of rhyme and alliteration, and sorting objects by initial sound.

Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Dramatic Play We encourage hands-on learning whenever possible. We experiment with objects to see if they will sink or float, watch how a worm moves on a rainy day outside, make art projects based on holiday themes, and sing and dance to learn to appreciate different styles of music. Lessons are carefully planned to incorporate the whole child and a variety of subjects. Additionally, children receive formal Kindermusik lessons one time per month by Mooday’s Music.

Christianity The owners of Kinder Connection are Christians. We accept students from all backgrounds and welcome diversity. We incorporate Christian themes throughout the year but do not teach Christianity. Instead, we teach the morals of kindness, helpfulness, self-regulation, trustworthiness, and modesty. We regularly accommodate for neurodiversity and encourage children to be the unique person God intended them to be rather than conform to a set standard.

Homeschool Enrichment and Homeschool Support Students who are a young elementary age (K-1st) may attend Kinder Connection part-time for homeschool enrichment or support.