When someone else is watching your child, it’s easy to wonder what they have done all day. Are they learning? Are they getting enough physical activity? Are they making friends with peers and teachers? What have they eaten today and is it nutritious?
Here’s a peek at what your child experiences at Collierville Christian Academy.
Structured Routine
Structure and routine are vital to a child’s sense of stability. Each classroom in Collierville Christian Academy has its own routine designed for the needs of the children, and this structure helps children feel secure in their environment. When a child feels secure, they are free to explore, grow their skills, and engage in educational pursuits.
Special Activities
But that doesn’t mean kids desire monotony! Just like adults, children want to try new and exciting things. That’s why our teachers provide a variety of special activities that coincide with our outstanding curriculum.
Even our infant and toddler classrooms incorporate fun but age-appropriate activities, like foot or finger painting, dance music, puppets, and more!
These activities enrich the curriculum, expand your child’s world, and encourage friendships with peers and teachers.
Physical Activities
At Collierville Christian Academy, we know how important exercise is for children. Gross motor development is key for a well-rounded life. Exercise can help overweight children resume an ideal weight. Exercise also releases endorphins, which helps them have more resilience and joy. Physical exertion helps them sleep well at night.
We love to include gross motor activities at Collierville Christian Academy! Whenever the weather allows, children play outside on our playground where they can explore nature and challenge their physical capabilities.
If the weather excludes outdoor playtime, our teachers can adapt the classroom to accommodate physical activity. Other fun games like Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light are popular favorites that use minimal space but get your child active.
For infants, engaging in physical activity looks a little different. Our goal for infants is to let them explore their environment using whatever physical capabilities they currently have. Our teachers are always helping the infants progress to the next gross motor milestone.
Meal Time
Many parents want nutritious meals for their children. At Collierville Christian Academy, we care about the nutritional value of the meals and snacks we serve!
We offer balanced meals and snacks following current nutritional recommendations. Even if your child doesn’t eat everything on their plate, they are exposed to various nutritious foods. Plus, watching their peers enjoy new foods can encourage them to try something new and grow their palate.
If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please speak with the director for accommodations.
Quiet Time
While we provide physical activities, we also know that everyone needs some downtime! Some children naturally lean into individual or quiet play. Other children seem to have non-stop energy, but they need downtime just as much as introverted peers.
Our classrooms offer a quiet area for reading or resting. In younger classrooms, cots are provided for nap time. Older children may color, draw, read, or craft during quiet time.
The goal of quiet time is to help regulate the nervous system, teach the value of calming activities, and help children be ready to play together again.
Free Play
Structured activities and following a curriculum have many benefits, but children also need free play time to use their imaginations. We provide items like costumes, scarves, and props so children can create their own stories during free play.
Special Events
We love to provide special events, both inside Collierville Christian Academy and on field trips. These vary depending on your child’s age. Speak with the director or your child’s teacher to learn what events are coming up on our calendar!