You Are Never Too Young To Go To School

It’s back to school time in Des Plaines! Time for thinking about how to give children a good start. Time to help them grow academically and socially. And, time for fun!

The first five years in a child’s life are the most formative. Pediatricians and child rearing experts agree that sending children to preschool classes better prepare them for lifelong learning. They gain social skills through imaginative play, stories, songs, and group activities. Early childhood classes help them develop a sense of community in a circle of friends, who are at the same developmental stage.

At the Des Plaines Park District, the Early Education Program classes gently prepare children for their future educational encounters. Parent/child classes are available for children, six months through four years and are a good way to meet new and experienced parents. Parent/child classes help toddlers improve large motor skills and coordination. Other classes help children develop small motor skills through craft projects and finger play. Low teacher to student ratios allow for personalized attention so children can learn and grow at their own pace.

Once a child is two and a half, he is ready for a class on his own. Classes that meet once a week balance learning basic skills such as identifying and recognizing colors, shapes, letters, and numbers, with games, songs, and playtime in a structured setting. These classes also help children develop a healthy love of exercise through playtime on the playground and in the gym. Early childhood classes also emphasize skills that help children become more comfortable later in school such as listening to directions, taking turns, sharing, and raising their hands. Classes that meet once a week are also a good way to judge a child’s readiness level for preschool, and provide a time out for parents, who can be certain their children are in a safe, nurturing environment with energetic, creative instructors.

After experiencing a once-a-week class, many children are ready for Creative Corners Preschool. Learning is taught through socialization and play. Graduates of the Creative Corners Preschool Program successfully matriculate into both private and public kindergarten programs with a wide range of experiences and knowledge learned from the weekly units of exploration and study. Preschool begins on September 4 and runs through May 14, 2013.

Complete details for all classes are available in the Fall Spectrum and online at www.DPParks.org. For more information, call 847-391-5700.