Preschool : The Grove School: A seriously fresh new preschool in Cary and Plano!

The benefits of educational technology in the preschool classroom

Lilla Dale McManis | December 12, 2009 | Comment

It is well established that three and four year olds need a strong focus on cognitive development along with attention to their social and emotional development to be ready for kindergarten (1, 2). Technology can play a key role in this preparation. Experts confirm that preschool age children are developmentally ready and able to benefit from instruction with technology. The use of educational technology is now known to have a major, positive impact on the social, emotional, language, and cognitive development of children.

It is recommended that many opportunities be given during the preschool years for exploration using technology tools in a playful, supportive environment. Researchers further agree that a number of technology applications have the potential to support and extend learning in the young child through their unique capability to provide excellent instruction in these important developmental areas that are critical for educational success (3-5).

Specifically, research has found that preschoolers who used computers with developmentally appropriate supporting activities for key learning goals, had more gains than children without these computer experiences. Among others, these included increases in knowledge, long-term memory, verbal skills, problem solving, and manual dexterity (3).

A set of studies with low-income children found those who received a computer curriculum had increases in cognitive, motor, and language scores compared to similar children in a regular curriculum (6,7). Recent research published in the journal Pediatrics found that young children who had access to a computer compared to those who did not performed better on measures of cognitive development and school readiness as measured by the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence. The lead author notes that the findings suggest that “computer access before or during the preschool years is associated with the development of preschool concepts and cognition” (8).

The National Association for the Education of Young Children also states that considerable research points to the positive effects of educational technology on children’s learning and development. For these effects to be present, however, educators must monitor that it is appropriate in the areas of age, individual child needs, and culture; and integrate educational technology into the learning environment in ways that support what and how children learn (9).

To read the research studies noted above, here are the references:

References and Sources
1. Eager to Learn: Executive Summary. (2000). (Eds.) B.T. Bowman, S.M. Donovan, & S.M.
Burns. National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
2. Landry, S. & James Baker Institute for Public Policy. (2004). Effective Early Childhood
Programs: Turning Knowledge Into Action. Houston, TX: Rice University.
3. Haugland, S.W. (2000). What role should technology play in young children’s learning? Part 2. Early childhood classrooms in the twenty-first century: Using computers to maximize
learning. Young Children, 55, 12–18.
4. Murphy, K., DePasquale, R., & McNamara, E. (2003). Meaningful connections: Using
technology in primary classrooms. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on the Web.
5. Clements, D.H. 1994. The Uniqueness of the Computer as a Learning Tool: Insights from
Research and Practice. (Eds.) J.L. Wright & D.D. Shade. Young children: Active learners
in a technological age, pp. 31-50. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education
of Young Children.
6. Ainsa, T. (1989). Effects of computers and training in Head Start curriculum. Journal of
Instructional Psychology, 16, 72–78.
7. Ainsa T. (1987). Effects of computers and training in Head Start curriculum. Journal of
Educational Computing Research, 3, 249 –260.
8. Li, X., & Atkins, M.S. (2004). Early childhood computer experience and cognitive and motor development. Pediatrics, 113, 1715-1722.
9. National Association for the Education of Young Children

Lilla Dale McManis, Ph.D., is a product development consultant for Hatch, Inc. She has 25 years of experience as an educator, evaluator, trainer and researcher.

Keywords: computers, Grove School, Hatch, Inc., Lilla Dale McManis, Preschool, technology

Green holiday tip #2: toys

Regan Sheeley | December 8, 2009 | Comment

Push-Along_Small_Duck With toys, a little bit of research goes a long way. Try to shop locally when you can and ask questions about the contents of the toys and the manufacturing process.

Plan Toys are widely available. These are made out of organic rubber wood, non-toxic glue and water based dye. The company has a strong environmental stance. My child has several of these toys. They are indestructible and really cute.

Green Toys are toys made out of recycled milk jugs in California.

And Healthy Child has a good list of “green” toys/manufacturers. They also have good tips for reducing, reusing and recycling during the holidays.

Regan is a communication and events specialist with Knowledge Universe. She advises us on environmental issues with expertise in child care center operations and the Eco-Healthy child care provider endorsement process. She has a young daughter and a passion for decreasing children's exposure to environmental hazards and toxins.

Keywords: gifts, green, Grove School, holiday, Preschool, toys

They’re the roots, we’re the shoots

David Roy | October 24, 2009 | Comment

An advantage we have with The Grove School is the ability to leverage the resources of a national expert in child development and education. Knowledge Universe is our taproot, that strong, central root that anchors a tree. Because of our relationship to them, we can be the nimble offshoot that grows quickly and purposefully in response to the needs of our neighborhood schools and the families we serve.

Knowledge Universe has cared for and educated more children than any other single entity in the country, and while we learn something new every day, we know children and education.

Hundreds of thousands of children have learned their colors and shapes, how to read and write, and been prepared for their academic careers at a Knowledge Universe center or school. We’re so proud of that fact, and we are very much looking forward to sharing those important milestones with the children and families of The Grove School.

David is our guru of community partnerships. He's the one bonding at the local level with families, schools, groups and businesses. Ever the amiable fellow, he has a background in non-profit resource development, fundraising, government and public relations, and policy analysis.

Keywords: child development, early childhood education, Grove, Knowledge Universe, Preschool

Giving back from the get-go

David Roy | October 24, 2009 | Comment

When the first two schools open in January 2010, our first corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative will focus on tree planting.

We think there are a number of reasons why tree planting is a good fit for The Grove School. It’s something that benefits the local community. It strongly connects to our promise to promote a healthy mind, body and planet. It encourages participation by children, teachers, family, and community members. And there are a number of ways it ties back to our curriculum.

As with any CSR initiative we undertake, tree planting is something that children can do (with adult help, of course!). It also nicely demonstrates cause-and-effect, both in the way a tree grows and in the way a project like this can make a positive effect in a neighborhood.

And of course, we’re THE GROVE SCHOOL—we love trees!

Keywords: CSR, curriculum, Grove, healthy body, healthy mind, healthy planet, local community, Preschool, The Grove School, trees

Why the school appeals to me as a parent

Dan Flood | October 24, 2009 | Comment

1. I know that the staff at the school–from the Head of School to the Education Manager to the teachers–will all be of a caliber that is unparalleled in the preschool industry. Not only will they be exemplary at teaching kids, but they’ll have such a unique culture. We’re going for staff that aren’t just great at teaching, but are forward thinkers as well.

2. I’m attracted to the overall emphasis on health. I know that The Grove Schools will be clean, healthy places.

I honestly can’t wait for a school near me so I can enroll my daughter!!!

Dan steers our business development. As the father of a toddler and a conscientious consumer, he's energized by The Grove School's focus on high-quality education and the triple-bottom line (social and environmental responsibility in tandem with profitability).

Keywords: Grove School, Head of School, parents, Preschool

The Head of School interviews

Dan Flood | October 24, 2009 | Comment

I interviewed the Head of School candidates in Cary, and I can say in all seriousness that it was inspiring. The people we spoke with were beyond our expectations–they were energetic, passionate, incredibly credentialed, and diverse.

We loved that beyond their impressive qualifications, they were all energized about what The Grove School stood for as well. This was perhaps the first concrete evidence for me that we had a truly appealing concept. These amazing educators were so eager to jump in and help us build it.

Our Head of School in Cary, Scott Andersen, will have any incredible impact on The Grove School–both at his school and for all schools moving forward. He’s truly an inspirational guy to speak with. I know that he will help us learn and improve on these first two schools, pushing us above and beyond what we hoped to accomplish.

Keywords: Cary, Dr. Scott Andersen, Grove, Head of School, Preschool

Why Cary and Plano?

Dan Flood | October 24, 2009 | Comment

Choosing the first two markets for The Grove School was an exciting and interesting exercise.

Part of it was definitely demographics. But demographics alone would never have got us there. We needed to find the right communities that would be a good fit for The Grove School. We looked at the types of parents in the area, the kinds of businesses, the activities the local governments were focusing on, the non-profits in the area. All of which were aimed at giving us a total picture of an area.

We also realized that we could be more “Grove-like” by using a facility that was already existing and could be “recycled,” instead of building something new. So we looked at the facilities we owned, compared them with the rest of the criteria, and ultimately landed on Cary, North Carolina and Plano, Texas. These are two great communities that really value education, health and sustainability.

Keywords: Cary, Grove, Plano, Preschool

Goodbye corporate speak, hello open forum

Burt Rosen | October 24, 2009 | Comments (2)

One of the unique things about The Grove School is that it’s truly being developed to offer an experience as opposed to a product. What do I mean? An experience is driven from a top down strategy and everything aligns with the strategy.

For example, The Grove School is about healthy body, healthy mind and healthy planet so everything follows those filters. The food is healthy, the curriculum is designed to spur creativity and curiosity, and materials and sensibilities are all focused on what’s good for the planet and instilling those values in our kids and our families.

The web is an incredible tool that helps further and validate the experience. The Grove School website itself is organic, built by a broad variety of people who all share a passion around the school and our families. Everyone is focused on issues that matter to parents, not corporate speak.

The site is an open forum. This is as new an approach to a school website as The Grove School is to preschool. The site is not a collection of buzz words, but is a forum that highlights unique perspectives and invites parents, educators, staff and anyone else to offer their opinions. Together, everyone will help build the site and the community of families at The Grove School.

Burt oversees outreach and online community building, which makes him responsible for all things digital. He wishes his 2 children, now 8 and 11, had something so socially conscious when they were younger.

Keywords: community, Grove School, Preschool, website