The Academy of Gateway Online Newsletter: December 2021

Friday, December 31, 2021

A Look Into 2021!

2022 is making its debut tonight, but before we welcome The New Year let's look back into 2021.

We loved Splatter Paint day!

Green our Scene at The Academy was a hit!

Ms. Becky sung all the tunes!

An awesome visit from the Easter Bunny!

Our kiddos loved the petting zoo!

Look at these cool kids on glasses day!

WHOOP! WHOOP! Glow in the dark party!

Hot summer days cause for yummy popsicles!

Our Kindergarten Cadets practicing handwriting!

Kindergarten Bootcamp was so much fun!

These kiddos had their own library cards!

Nature Sticky Wall!

Bike Day!

A movie under the stars!

Hollywood Themed Prom for our Graduates!

Prom 2021!

Christmas 2021

Pajama day!

We want to thank each one of you for making 2021 at The Academy of Gateway a fun year. We will see you all in 2022!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Merry Christmas!

"Christmas, Christmas time is near! Time for toys and time for cheer!"

~ Song by Alvin and the Chipmunks

We're gearing up for Christmas here at The Academy of Gateway! This is such a special season; we love the atmosphere and joy the holidays bring. We have had a week full of Christmas crafts and activities. The kiddos love getting to do these activities with their favorite teachers. Although, we are excited for the holidays with our families, we are sure going to miss our AOG families over the weekend.

We want to wish you a Safe & Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Literacy For Infants

Here at The Academy of Gateway Early literacy starts as early as 6 weeks. We incorporate books and fun nursery rhymes into our schedules to help children develop certain language skills. Reading often to a baby will help develop their language skills drastically compared to a baby who is only talked to. This week we read fun nursery rhymes to our infants with slow deliberate speech to help them one day connect the words with the pictures.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Holiday Activities

What better way to celebrate the Holidays with your little ones than to do some fun Holiday Activities? This year at the Academy we are celebrating the holidays with Cookie decorating, Dressing like an elf, and a special guest visit from the Grinch.

There are so many ways you can celebrate The Holidays with your family, from watching your favorite holiday movies to baking some yummy cookies. Crafts are also a great way to get your little ones involved. Here is a list of some fun activities to do with your family.

DIY Ornaments
Handprint dove plates
Christmas stars
Melting snowman
Jingle Bell painting

Friday, December 3, 2021

The Importance of Play in Early Education

Play benefits children's learning, peer engagement, physical growth, and health. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.

FROG STREET INFANT

Designed around the latest scientific early brain development research, Frog Street Infant curriculum is designed to build strong foundations for little ones ages 0-18 months. This child-centered program includes easy-to-use activities that:

equip caregivers to nurture the little ones in their care.
optimize key windows of opportunity for growth and development.
are designed with intention and purpose and organized around developmental learning domains.
feature Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline® strategies to enhance social and emotional development.

KINDERGARTEN BOOT CAMP: AN ACADEMY EXCLUSIVE

The Academy is recognized by the community for our kindergarten specific programs including our one-of-a-kind Kindergarten Boot Camp. Our Pre-K program includes hands-on explorations that create new learning connections in language, math, science, social, emotional and physical development. Children investigate “Big Ideas” and are actively involved in seeking answers to their own questions. Intentional daily plans cover a specific range of guidelines that prepare our children to meet and exceed kindergarten readiness standards for both public and private schools. Kindergarten Boot Camp, offered exclusively by Never Grow Up, is a dedicated summer program that teaches important, yet often overlooked, skills needed to navigate kindergarten with confidence. Skills such as remembering a lunch number, carrying a lunch tray or returning a library book are examples of how we “train” our Academy kids to “be all they can be”!

We're Creating Childhood

The Academy Child Development Centers and Preschools are privately owned and operated by our parent company, Never Grow Up, Inc. Based out of Louisville, KY, family owned Never Grow Up, Inc. operated nearly 30 child development centers in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. Never Grow Up, Inc. is committed to providing private child care for parents who want only the best for their children. We understand that "we're creating childhood" every day for the children in our care, and we hold that privilege with the highest regard

Gold Sneaker Certified

Healthy habits are instilled at a young age, with most habits being formed during adolescence. We feel it important to instill good habits at an early age, addressing behavioral factors that contribute to overweight and obesity from the beginning. The Gold Sneaker initiative was developed to enhance policy related to physical activity and nutrition within licensed child care facilities across Tennessee. Policies we've adopted include minimum requirements on physical activity, sedentary activities, breastfeeding, meal time, behaviors, portion sizes, and a tobacco-free facility. Together, we can create healthy habits for life.