Answer: What is “best” for your child educationally is to have the most suitable environment in which he or she can best learn facts for knowledge, skills for usefulness, and receive consistent encouragement to confidently carry themselves throughout their lifetime.  A few years ago I came across this definition:

Education: comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations.  To give children a good education in manners, arts, science, is important: to give them a religious education is indispensable: and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.

-Noah Webster’s First Edition of an American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828

Mr. Webster would not be considered politically correct today in his choice of content for this very important definition of education, but my vote is favorably cast if anyone would dare suggest its reappearance in the dictionary.  This definition seems to imply that school is only a portion of the educational experience.  Did you notice this appears to be directed more towards the parents than the school?  Education begins when we first hold the newborn baby, not when they enter pre-school.  Parents have an undeniable role in this process and I will be so bold as to say, an obligation to their children to provide a continuous supporting role as “teacher” throughout their childhood.  Even though school is an important resource for learning, it is only one of the many opportunities you provide for your child’s education.

So my response to your question would be for you personally to set your own educational expectations as to how you and your family will best provide this environment in your home.  Do not leave this responsibility to someone else because you, not the government, are ultimate responsibility with a school outside your home, then find one that will walk along side your expectations and goals.  Schools can work with your family goals of education or they can be a turbulent storm of conflict between two ideologies.

So, how do you provide the best educational opportunity to your child?  Take responsibility yourself in providing the best learning environment for your child.  That starts at home and continues with the assistance of an appropriate school environment.  Everyone works together and supports one another.  Make the main thing the main thing.  Prioritize what are the essential elements of getting your child off to a good start, remembering academic goals are only one aspect of learning.  Emotionally healthy children are positioned to learn at a faster pace, so make sure you place them in an environment that cultivates that as well.  Take this “immense responsibility” seriously and enjoy the results!

Answer: First, line your priorities up with that of the school. What are the most important selling points of the school? Maybe academic achievement is most important to you; talk with the director about the emphasis they place in this area. If a controlled and peaceful environment is essential, make sure chaos is not the first impression you have when entering the school. Many parents today see the importance of instilling Christian values consistently throughout the day. In that case, does the school have a Christian based curriculum? Are those values not only taught but also modeled before them? In making the transition from the warm comforts of home to school, you might want a school that does not have a cold, institutional feel. Of course, in my personal experience, the most important aspect is that you feel your child is safe, respected and given the proper guidance to help prepare him for kindergarten and beyond.

Second, take a consumer approach. I dare say that most of us spend more time as parents determining what kind of vehicle we will transport our children around in the next four or five years ...does it have side airbags, DVD player for the movies, room for all the stuff, and by all means, how many cup holders, than we do who will be influencing our children during the best hours of their day and what will be taught to them. One of my favorite childhood heroes was Bob Keeshan (a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo). Since his passing, much has been written about his early childhood philosophy. He consistently stated that the first six years were a child’s most important. Wow! A pre-school environment is a place that will lay an important foundation for your child‘s future. You are a consumer and as a parent you have a choice. Make it wisely.

Call now for school tours, information packets, and registration materials. I would be honored that you considered The Cedars Preparatory Academy in your search for just the right pre-school for your child.

Answer:  I am asked this question probably more than any other from the mothers and fathers of my four year old children. The answer, unfortunately, is not always clear from the start. There are many questions to answer and evaluate in order to make a good decision. Let me cover a few.

First, I will agree that many parents are delaying the start of kindergarten if their child has a summer birthday. Especially with boys, a spring time birthday is considered as a good cut-off. The decision to delay the start of kindergarten is many times not a result of an apparent slow learner, but more often a decision to give their child extra time to prepare for academic readiness. So you must ask yourself, if and how your child would benefit from this decision. Write out both short term and long term benefits that you see.

Second, I would suggest that you evaluate the foundation of your child’s readiness for kindergarten. The best test is not if they can recognize letters or read me a sentence or even spell their name, but are they outgoing, happy, and creative children. These traits are often the precursor to good students. I would also be aware of their development of senses, coordination and cognition. Children develop at different rates and that’s okay. I do have this observation. I have never had a parent regret their decision to wait a year, while I have had parents regret starting them when they were not ready.

Third, I would encourage you to make this decision based on the sole needs and benefits of your child. Instead of trying to comply with the current trend or what your friends are doing, think of meeting the needs of your son alone. Parental ego can get in the way of what is best for your child. Push that aside and evaluate with the end in mind. The decision you make today will in some way determine what his success or failure will be when he is eighteen. If your child could benefit from an additional year of nurturing and developing, give him that opportunity. If you sense your child is ready to go, encourage and support him as he starts his formal academic career.

Finally, let me tell you about a program we are offering next fall. Our Kindergarten Bridge Program is designed to meet the needs of the five year old child who would like to wait a year before starting kindergarten. Instead of repeating four year old pre-kindergarten curriculum, a special program has been designed to begin kindergarten concepts along with other more age appropriate and challenging learning manipulatives.

Answer:  All children require a safe learning environment with controlled boundaries in
order to grow, learn, and flourish. Especially with the awareness of more serious episodes,
parents want assurance that their child is in a safe climate at school. As a parent, the most
important role you can play is to listen and take their concerns seriously. Communicate clearly
that their safety is a primary concern for you.

Unfortunately, we are seeing more aggressive behaviors than when we were in school.
Learning, behavior, and emotional problems along with an ever-increasing failure to succeed in
basic skills have become a major concern and frustration to parents, teachers, and
administrators. School anxiety is another escalating problem experienced by too many school
children today. These setbacks have contributed to the decline in school climate that provides
security for the student. What is at the root of these growing concerns continues to be the topic
of many educational seminars I now attend.

According to leading researchers and clinicians in the field of psychology, education, and
medicine, it appears that the following characteristics are needed to ensure a safe and healthy
school climate:

• A strong concerned administration with an open door policy that is in place

• The mission of the school clearly reflects practices in the school

• The children want to go to school

• Violence and bullies are not tolerated

• Strong optimism is present in the school

• Testing is not allowed to hold too much power!

• Small classes have been established

• Behavioral issues are handled respectfully and quickly

• Physical structures are in good repair and environmentally healthy

• There are high academic expectations for all

• Teachers appear to enjoy teaching and have a positive self-efficacy

• Parents and children are listened to and responded to with respect by all school personnel

There are three types of school safety; emotional, intellectual, and physical. An excellent
school must contain all three. I often advise parents deciding on a school for their child to not
only visit the classroom, but also the playground and lunchroom. Social behaviors of the
children there can readily identify the safety climate of the school.

Your concern is justified but not hopeless. I am optimistic that because of increased
awareness of both the parents and the school administrations, safe environments can be
created.  Peaceful children do not get that way accidentally. We have to work diligently and
pray fervently for that result. 

Answer: There is something invigorating about the start of each new year. Maybe it is the anticipation of what the new year holds for us, or the renewed sense of purpose that comes with the goals we
have set for the year. Whatever goals you have set for you and your family this year, my best
wishes to you in seeing them materialize.

A young mom asked me what specific goals she should set for the coming year that
would make a difference in her children’s life once they are adults. The question is
usually asked in reverse. Most of my peer group (empty nesters) ponder as parents on what
they should have done while raising their children that would have better prepared them for
their adult life. Wow! This mom has some wisdom to ask this now!

The wisest parents are the ones who realize they are raising their children only a short while to
hopefully live many, many years as an adult. In other words, MOST OF YOUR LIFE IS LIVED
AS AN ADULT. One of my favorite books is Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People. A habit that he mentions not only in that book, but also in his book, Seven Habits of
Highly Effective Families is “to begin with the end in mind”. A proactive approach to raising
your child to be an effective, useful adult is a gift that will have a long lasting benefit to your
child. 

Educationally, there are several goals you should set for your child that will enhance their
ability to be productive and useful for the biggest part of their life- adulthood. Here are a few
suggestions:

First, set the standard for excellence. Having a determination to do all things well is a
tremendous asset for any age group. Not all students are “A” students, but they are all able to
do their best at whatever level that is for them. An apathetic approach to school will become an
albatross to them once in the workforce. 

Second, do not allow the temptation of focusing too much on “extra-curricular” prioritize
schoolwork done well. I know a bright, young man who is struggling to get through college. His
parents, with well meaning intentions, pushed sports to the point of making that the focus of his
childhood and teen years. Instilling study skills needed to pass courses in college that would in
turn land him a decent job in a competitive job market, in hindsight, seems to have been the
better option. 

Third, surround your child with those (both teachers and peers) who encourage him/her to be a
better person. These are the people who are with you children during the best hours of their
day. Their influence, whether positive or negative, will affect their attitudes and beliefs.
Underachievement is, unfortunately, too common place in many of our schools. By placing
them in an environment where they are not shamed if they do well or choose to do the right
thing, is a great advantage. 

 Finally, talk positively about your child’s future. Talk often about their unique strengths that you
see and how you see them using this in their future stations in life. This will help them get a
glimpse into their future and hopefully, help them see how this stage in life is an important
building block for their life as an adult. 

It is our nature to focus on the here and now. We desire that our children enjoy their childhood,
and they should. But one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to provide for their
future. Begin with the end in mind. What skills, traits, attributes do you want for your children
as adults? What will it take for you to provide that for them? Most of us who have walked that
road would advise you to do whatever it takes. Sacrifices made now for your children will be a
precious gift rewarded in the future.

Answer: From the outset, let me acknowledge my biased opinion. If I did not think private educational opportunities were a need and a service to this community, I would not have opened my school. What makes America the “land of opportunity” is the availability of choices to its people. One essential role we have is to determine which choice will give us the greatest opportunity to enhance our potential to succeed. In this case, the success of your child.

For the record, I am not in opposition to the public school system. It serves a tremendous service in providing the educational needs to our children. The laws that are set in place allow every child to have the opportunity to read, write and, hopefully, one-day attend the college of their choice. The private school option should be considered an alternative with some additional advantages. What you as a parent must decide is the worth of these advantages.

I sometimes liken it to riding first class on an airplane. The plane will arrive at a certain place, on a certain time, whether you ride in the front of the plane or the back. As a first class passenger, however, you can expect more individual attention in a smaller grouping, you are given more options to better your experience on the plane, your ability to leave the plane in better condition physically and mentally are enhanced, and the people around you are desiring the same benefits. It is the experience that makes the difference and is the reason for the difference in price.

I can only speak of what I know here at CPA as to what gives our students a first class experience. Here are a few:

• Smaller, non-institutional, secure environment   
• Christian based curriculum 
• Greater amount of personal attention 
• Academically challenging
• Extras, extras, extras (monthly field trips, end of the year musical, service projects, great computer lab to name a few)
• Uniformed attire    
• Strong parent involvement

All schools have a similar purpose statement (to educate each child while placed in their care). The agenda for achieving that purpose varies significantly from school to school. Let me challenge you to find out what that is for each school you are considering. Be a wise consumer. Decide don’t drift into your decision. Make sure the school aligns with your goals and belief system. If the private school option seems the best choice for your child, the financial sacrifice will be a gratifying experience.

Answer: On one hand, it is quite typical for a child beginning school for the first time to be apprehensive about a new routine. The child’s surroundings have changed and they now have educational responsibilities. There are new friends to make and a new teacher to trust in taking care of them. This is a big change but most children seem to make the adjustment fine after a few weeks into school. Some, like your daughter, continue to show signs of concern to their parents. At what point do you go in for the rescue? Let me remind you of some facts that might help put into perspective the importance of giving your child a good start in school. The first few years of school lay the foundation for the rest of your child’s schooling. A child’s teachers during those years will largely determine how they approach learning, the nature of their attitude toward authority and how they see themselves – as a success, or as a failure. An important decision? You bet! What happened to your daughter? Maybe she needs some extra time to mature. Many parents are now holding their children back a year for this very reason. It might be that your child needs an environment that is not so institutional. The large size of the class and various ages of the students in one building might be overwhelming to her at this age. There are many possibilities, but limited space does not permit me to cover all of them. I do know this one thing to be true: A child’s attitude and actions are a mirror into their heart. Your child is depending on you to place her on the right path. Does that mean a rescue? Maybe.

Answer: Parents are awakened to the fact that their child’s future graduation from high school is determined by their ability to pass basic skills tests. The basics of reading, writing, and math have come full circle. Once again, they are essential skills that must not only be understood, but also mastered. The time for you to take action is NOW. I have often told my student’s parents that preparation begins in kindergarten. It may be a few years before the evaluation is tested, but the foundation that is laid in the early years play an integral role in your child’s success on these tests.

The best way for you, as a parent, to prepare your child at this level is to read daily with your child and encourage them to read. Your child’s vocabulary will broaden along with their ability to stay focused on lengthy passages, which are often required on these tests. Talk with them about what they read and what they think about the story. Your role as a parent is important here in that you have the opportunity to demonstrate how these basic skills are relevant in everyday life. One specific example is to allow your child to help with cooking which demands the use of reading and math skills. It also gives them practice in following directions. Most educators would agree that children, whose parents are consistently involved in their education, are more likely to perform well on the test.

Schools will now be evaluated on their ability to adequately prepare their students for passing assessment tests. I am not a proponent of focusing the curriculum solely on the test. Teachers can easily get distracted and frustrated with such an approach. My teaching philosophy has always been that schools, if on the proper path, should place a high emphasis on the basic skills like Reading, Writing, and Math. If the basics are taught, then good results will follow.