Johnstown, PA (June 6, 2014) – Statistics tell us that kindergarteners who attend preschool fare better in the classroom than those who don’t. Yet many 3-year-olds have trouble separating from parents, following directions, staying focused and learning to play with others. Easing kids into the academic setting can make a difference. The Learning Lamp offers local families an option to assist in this transition.
The Learning Lamp’s socialization program for 2-year-olds is the only one of its kind in the region. It’s available in Richland and Westmont from September to May.
“When three-year-olds enter preschool, they’re not used to the structure,” said Jenna Leverknight, The Learning Lamp’s Richland preschool director. “The 2-Year-Old program focuses on getting them ready for preschool and lessening the anxiety they face when having to say goodbye to mom and dad.”
Stephanie Wojno’s son, Desmond, attended The Learning Lamp’s Westmont 2-Year-Old Socialization Program in the 2013-2014 school year. She credits The Learning Lamp with helping to bring Desmond out of his shell.
“Desmond was extremely shy before he entered the program,” said Wojno. “We would go to the playground and he would be so terrified of the other children. After only a month in the program, I instantly saw his confidence increase and now he’ll go up to any kid and play. It makes me so happy to see him making friends.”
The program also provides toddlers with some of their first learning experiences. “During the program, we’re all about keeping the toddlers interacting with each other and having fun,” said
Kelly Beers, preschool director at The Learning Lamp’s Westmont location. “We’ll sing songs and play games that allow them to develop their fine motor skills, letter and number recognition and listening skills. The kids also learn to walk in a straight line, sit criss-cross and clean up, which has made many parents very happy.”
Another parent, Michelle Shorto-Dugan, enrolled her twin daughters in the program. Though the girls had no trouble making friends, Shorto-Dugan wanted to see how they would fare when she was away.
“They loved it,” said Shorto-Dugan. “Every day, they’d ask me, ‘Is today the day we’re going to school?’ They would get so excited. And they learned a lot. They can now count up to 18 and recognize the letters in their names. It’s really prepared them well for preschool.”
The Learning Lamp’s 2-Year-Old Socialization program is offered Mondays and Fridays starting in September from 9 to 11 a.m. in Richland and Westmont. Tuition is $65 per month.
The program is now enrolling. Call Erica at 814-262-0732 to learn more and to register. Visit thelearninglamp.org for more information about this and other early learning programs The Learning Lamp offers.
The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. The Learning Lamp served 18,468 children from 70 school districts and 36 non-public and private schools and other organizations in 32 Pennsylvania counties in 2013.
Our programs include: one-to-one tutoring; before/after school programs; portable classrooms aimed at building math and science skills; alternative education programs for at-risk students; evidence-based prevention programs; online learning and credit recovery; SAT preparation; educationally-focused child care; literacy-based preschool programs; and grant writing and project consulting for schools.
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