Little Learners: Specialized Programs for Early Education

An astronaut. A firefighter. A teacher. A doctor. A superhero.

These are common responses from preschoolers to the age-old question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

But did you realize that early childhood education helps set the stage for how your child feels about education throughout life?

“A child’s brain development and learning are deeply intertwined with the most rapid brain growth occurring during the early years of life, making this period crucial,” says Evangeline Agbogu, the Director of Science Akadémeia. “Early education is so important because children’s brains are highly plastic during this stage, meaning the brain is shaped by experiences and interactions with their environment, allowing them to absorb information and develop skills quickly.”

Using these formative years to help your child nurture critical skills can carve out a path of success for the future. Specialized curriculum, which is central to many early childhood programs in the metro area, supports students’ engagement in their learning.

Table of Contents

STEM

Science Akadémeia

Often, a young child’s most repeated question is: Why? A child’s curiosity can lead her to the field of science.

“Kids are natural scientists,” Agbogu says. “They are curious about their environment and the world around them. It is important to nurture that natural curiosity to foster their love of science.”

Science Akadémeia is a full-day, year-round program for ages 2-6 teaching children STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) concepts through multiple activities, such as coding and robotics.

“Science Akadémeia is the first science preschool in the state of Georgia. We are pioneers in the field of early STEM education,” Agbogu says. “We provide children with the tools to cultivate their innate curiosity while providing a foundation for math, art, technology, language and literacy.”

STEM education fosters curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Establishing these subjects as fun from a young age can keep students from feeling intimidated by them later.

“Parents are usually surprised that kids can do science at this age,” Agbogu says. “Science is the practice of attempting to understand the world around you by learning how things work. We help parents understand this basic definition, so they better understand what the kids do. They are often surprised to find out how even the most complex topics can be broken down into essentials and how much their children retain.”

Language

The Quadrilingual Academy

As our world is more connected than ever, speaking a different language is an important skill.

At The Quadrilingual Academy, students learn French, Spanish, Chinese and English consecutively.

Learning a language is easier for kids because of how malleable their brains are. “With little ones, the language centers of their brain are explosive,” says Jessa Depew, the owner of The Quadrilingual Academy.

As a multilingual school, the curriculum is taught in Spanish, French, Chinese and English, with the intent to make lifelong learners of all four languages. Some parents may be concerned this will disrupt their child’s ability to learn his natural language.

“At 2-3 years old, kids mix languages a little, but by age 4, they’ve worked it out. For our monolingual families, I explain it like there are interstates, highways and roads,” Depew says. “Every language gets an interstate. When we add on vocabulary, language and song, highways and roads come in. If the roads are down or the interstate gets potholes, you can make repairs. If you get off on the wrong exit, you can get back on and make the right exit. Once you’ve learned them, those skills are there and are likely going to stay.”

Teaching children language skills allows them to reconnect with their extended family.

“Post-World War II, families didn’t want their children to seem un-American, so they didn’t teach the next generation to speak their native language,” Depew says. “There are people who can’t speak to their grandparents, so they want their own children to reclaim that culture. We have students who are able to talk to their grandparents in China via Zoom or families who send their children on summer vacation to visit their grandparents.”

Nature

Oakwood Forest Preschool

Nature-based preschools allow children the chance to explore the great outdoors in a learning environment.

Oakwood Forest Preschool at the Dunwoody Nature Center is a play-based, place-based emergent learning program. Curriculum incorporates what is happening daily, with education about the seasons, weather and more.

Forest kindergartens started more than 150 years ago in Germany, based on the philosophy that every child should spend the majority of her school time outside playing in nature and learning about the world.

“As a nonprofit, Dunwoody Nature Center’s mission is to inspire a love of nature and promote environmental responsibility and environmental stewardship,” says Nancy Longacre, the Executive Director at Dunwoody Nature Center. “The program helps students learn all about nature and its importance, and they see nature as their guide. It’s completely in alignment with who we are.”

Students are outside almost all of the time, exploring nature as they learn.

“If you look at nature as the classroom, there is so much that nature can teach young children,” Longacre says. “They learn about themselves and about exploring and discovering.”

The student-to-teacher ratio is intentionally small. “It’s more conducive to small groups, because of the attention the teacher can give each child,” says Longacre.

Connecting to nature at a young age helps a child care about the future of the planet.

“With everything that’s going on in our world, it is critical we provide this opportunity for the next generation,” Longacre says. “It’s important we do this for our future.”

The Arts

Benjamin Preparatory School

Engaging in creativity allows a young child to explore the world in unique ways.

Benjamin Preparatory School is a Christ-centered, research-driven program focused on nurturing a child’s artistic talents.

“We believe we are the stewards of God’s creation,” says Olivia Taylor, Benjamin Preparatory School’s Business Manager. “As educators, we have no idea what God put in the children who show up at our door, so our goal is to put them in activities to find out who they are, what skills they have, and to help them pursue their dreams. The performing arts provide a unique avenue for students to express themselves, explore their emotions and develop essential life skills.”

The school encourages creativity and imagination through dance, acting, music and visual arts. Through performances and showcases, students gain confidence and share their accomplishments with peers, families and the community.

“We incorporate performing arts expression in children as an extension of themselves,” Taylor says. “The way we walk through arts is for everyone. Anything that is in the heart of a child, our goal is for them to express those things through their bodies, whether that be through a speech, a dance or a song.”

Even with a specialized focus, preschools focus on cultivating multiple abilities.

“We lay the foundations of academics beginning in our infant room so that our students are well-equipped for the next move,” Taylor says. “We prioritize and integrate Christian values throughout our STEAM+ program, fostering a well-rounded education that prepares students to be both intellectually strong and morally grounded.”

Do Your Research:

Looking for the right preschool for your child? Here’s what you should know.

Ask for sample curriculum and schedules. “The curriculum is really important,” Depew says. “You want academic, socio-emotional and free play mixed in. Free play is how their brains learn consequences and model social interactions.”
“Visit the school and ask questions like: What is the curriculum and daily classroom schedule? Is it a daycare or a preschool? What is the teacher’s training and qualifications? What is the student-to-teacher ratio? Are my child’s socio-emotional needs being nurtured in addition to their academics?” Agbogu says.
Ask if extracurricular activities are included and if before- and after-care are available.
Understand your child’s limitations at his age. “Parents want their child to read, but a child’s brain is not geared for reading at age 3. If you’re pushing skills children aren’t ready for, it can damage their confidence and their outlook on school,” Depew says. “Find the balance between what you think needs to happen and what the child’s brain is capable of.”
Ask if meals and snacks are provided. “Our commitment to whole foods is something our parents love,” Taylor says. “Our daily, fresh-prepared meal is included in tuition, so children experience flavorful foods while receiving all the nutrients they need.”
If the preschool intrigues you but is out of your budget, consider researching scholarships. “Georgia has a Student Scholarship Organization, and starting at age 4, children can take advantage of those scholarships,” Depew says.
Trust your instincts. “If there is somewhere you go where you are not comfortable, keep looking until you find a place where your gut is settled,” Taylor says.

Specialized Preschools:

Looking for a themed preschool program for your tot? This list will help you get started.

STEM:

Language:

Nature:

The Arts:

Georgia’s Pre-K: What You Need to Know

Early education can make a huge difference on a small child’s love of learning, but the program doesn’t have to make a financial impact to impact your child.

Georgia’s pre-K program is free for all eligible children, regardless of family income. The program is managed by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, which is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families.

More than 80,000 eligible 4-year-olds are enrolled in Georgia’s pre-K program. Programs usually operate on the local public school system calendar for 6.5 hours a day, 180 days a year. To participate, children must be 4 years of age on Sept. 1 of the school year and must be a resident of Georgia.

If a child doesn’t participate at age 4, they may be eligible to attend the program as a 5-year-old, but programs can deny enrollment to children who are age-eligible for kindergarten.

The Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) form the foundation for pre-K classroom instruction. The GELDS are aligned with Georgia’s Kindergarten Performance Standards to promote a seamless transition from pre-K to kindergarten. The five learning domains in GELDS are: Physical Development & Motor Skills; Communication, Language & Literacy; Social & Emotional Development; Approaches to Play & Learning; and Cognitive Development & General Knowledge.

After enrollment, all children need to have a Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental and Nutrition Screening, and immunizations must be up to date.

To learn more and find a program near you, visit families.decal.ga.gov.