SCHOOL READINESS IS FUTURE READINESS
Reading, writing, and arithmetic are key for kindergarten readiness, but true school readiness goes beyond memorization. Learning to apply that knowledge and integrate it in real life are the future-ready skills that children truly need. At Bright Horizons, we focus on these important skills by supporting children’s physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development for lifelong success.
What does it mean to be ready for school?
At Bright Horizons, school readiness is so many things. From being prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond, to learning to love the process of learning.
Hear from Rachel Robertson, our Chief Academic Officer, on how we build a strong foundation for each child's future.
A DISCOVERY-DRIVEN APPROACH TO LEARNING
Discovery Driven Learning® - proven approach to teaching and learning - helps children learn about themselves and the world around them. Through play-based activities and real-world experiences, they develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, innovation and creative thinking.
Social emotional learning – a foundation of this framework – helps children navigate relationships with their friends, family, teachers, and others by learning life skills and communication strategies. Children learn to believe in their personal abilities, empowering them to grow into confident, successful, lifelong learners.
Check out this resource to see what it means to be ready for school and learn how you can help your child at home.
THE RESULTS ARE IN
of teachers say we played an important role in preparing children for school success
of parents were pleased with their child’s acquisition of learning skills
of parents were impressed by their child’s social-emotional development
School Readiness Survey 2024
Check out what hundreds of parents of recent graduates — and their teachers — have to say about what school readiness truly means.
Learn more about our programs
"Now that my daughter is in kindergarten, I see just how effective Bright Horizons was in preparing her. The school taught her how to participate in a group setting, to interact with other children, and to think through problems." - Bright Horizons Parent
Hear More Parent Perspectives,/parent-perspectives,body" >Hear More Parent Perspectives FAQs About School Readiness
What does school readiness mean?
Children should enter their first years of elementary school with an ability to comprehend broader language and math concepts, but also feel prepared for the social and emotional demands of school. Key indicators of a child’s readiness for kindergarten and first grade include:
- Readiness to accept new responsibilities and greater independence
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- A strong enthusiasm for learning
- Innovative and creative thinking
- The ability to make new friends and respect others
How does Bright Horizons help prepare children for school?
Bright Horizons prepares children by focusing equally on all aspects of development: cognitive, physical, and social-emotional. We know that this approach gives children their best chance for healthy, happy, successful lives.
We incorporate the following characteristics to create a high-quality early childhood program that focuses on school readiness:
- Opportunities for meaningful play, project work, experimentation, and discovery. Children must understand not only what to learn but also how to learn. We want children to observe; ask questions; notice similarities, differences, and patterns; and solve problems, all aspects of critical thinking.
- Math, literacy, and science interwoven throughout the day, rather than in isolation (worksheets and flash cards). For example, while planting a garden in a center or classroom, the children read books about plants, make signs and notes, measure the garden area, learn about soil and composting, count out and plant seeds, and care for and harvest the garden. The learning is rich, immediate, and relevant, and tends to stick with children. Our classrooms have designated math, science, and writing centers open to children each day.
- An emphasis on trusting relationships and caring social interactions. Social-emotional development is the foundation for all other learning and must be a priority. Teachers understand that young children are still learning and will make mistakes. Children are gently guided and encouraged as they gain confidence and learn to collaborate, communicate, and resolve conflict with each other.
- Well-rounded literacy activities. In addition to learning the letters of the alphabet, children must develop vocabulary, listen and communicate effectively, and view reading and writing as pleasurable and important ways to share ideas and gain knowledge. Children gain literacy skills by listening and reading.
How can I prepare my child for school?
Tips for School Readiness at Home:
1. Talk with your child. Encourage expressions of feelings and find time to share love and appreciation. These moments build your child’s confidence and ability to communicate and collaborate.
2. Read to your child. Instilling a love of reading will allow your child to learn content throughout their lives and also builds vocabulary, literacy learning, and even perspective taking.
3. Play with your child. Blocks, active games, and silly moments all forge communication and collaboration and nurture cognitive skills such as impulse control, working memory, and regulating behaviors.
4. Experience nature. The natural world is a laboratory that encourages risk, critical thinking, observation, imagination, and creative innovation.
5. Build social-emotional skills. Building emotional literacy (recognizing feelings, naming them, and knowing how to manage them) is good for school and great for life. Practice social skills like meeting a new person, separating for parents, managing feelings, sharing, joining into play, and more - these are the most valued school readiness skills from teachers.
6. Develop a growth mindset. Believing in your own personal abilities and growing a sense of determination are skills you can encourage in a young child. Use process praise (e.g. you never gave up!) versus product praise (e.g. you are so smart). This focus on abilities, tenacity, and growth can influence school success more than IQ.
7. Learn to love learning. Lifelong learning is a lifelong pursuit but many children begin to lose enthusiasm for learning as they get older. Make sure learning is fun and exciting by pursuing children’s interests, building learning into everyday experiences, and avoiding a focus on right/wrong.