MECK Pre-K Blog
MECK Pre-K Blog
Welcome to the MECK Pre-K Blog.
Check back regularly for relevant information on MECK Pre-K and Early Education.
A Lifetime of Discovery Starts in Pre-K
MECK Pre-K students spend each day learning, practicing real life skills and expanding their knowledge. Teachers are trained to follow a child’s interests, build on previous knowledge, and provide real world experience based on that knowledge.
What to Expect at a Pre-K Parent-Teacher Conference
You may be surprised to know that pre-K teachers hold parent-teacher conferences, just like teachers in older grades! The main difference between an elementary and pre-K parent-teacher conference is the developmental age of the child. Children in pre-K are developing skills that will be used later in elementary school. So the topics you discuss with their teachers will focus more on pre-K skills and development.
Early education benefits everyone in your community
You may wonder, “Why does early education matter to me?” For those of us without a child under the age of five, pre-K may seem like a distant concept that doesn’t affect us very much. However, it turns out, a high quality early education benefits everyone in a community, not just young children and their families!
Kindergarten Readiness Starts in Pre-K
You may wonder, “Why should I send my child to pre-K? Why not just wait for kindergarten?” In this blog post, we will explain why pre-K matters, address some of your questions, and provide research and examples.
Why Pre-K Matters
You may wonder, “Why should I send my child to pre-K? Why not just wait for kindergarten?” In this blog post, we will explain why pre-K matters, address some of your questions, and provide research and examples.
A Day in the Life of a MECK Pre-K Student
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a MECK Pre-K student? We have asked our students and their parents/caregivers for the inside scoop, and here’s what they had to say!
Celebrating 6 years of MECK Pre-K
January 2024 marks the midpoint of MECK Pre-K’s sixth year in operation. Launched in 2018, MECK Pre-K is a high-quality pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families. As MECK Pre-K enters its sixth year, let’s look back at some key milestones, and look forward to the 2024-2025 school year!
Get Ready for Pre-K Enrollment
When your child is small, every little discovery is a learning opportunity to them. First, they discover their toes; then the bigger world around them. Then they start understanding your words and exploring their surroundings. Every child is different, and their learning journey is unique. But at some point, many parents may begin to wonder, “What’s next? Should I enroll my child in pre-K?” and, “Where do I start?”
How the MECK Pre-K Curriculum Works for Teachers & Families
Have you ever wondered how pre-K teachers keep a classroom full of young children engaged for an entire school day? Do you feel exhausted just thinking about it? Well, fortunately, high-quality pre-K programs follow a specific curriculum that is designed to keep children engaged and learning all day, while leaving room for social time, play and discovery.
How MECK Pre-K Supports Families
A high-quality pre-K program treats children like whole people, not just students who come and go from the classroom each day. Learning and growth happen all the time, whether children are at school, at home, on the playground or elsewhere. That’s why many pre-K programs offer support for families and students both inside and outside of the classroom.
A Day in the Life of a MECK Pre-K Teacher
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a MECK Pre-K teacher? We went into classrooms to interview a few of our teachers and got the inside scoop on what they love best about teaching pre-K classes at MECK Pre-K!
Overview of Public Pre-K in Mecklenburg County
MECK Pre-K is one of three public pre-k programs available in Mecklenburg County. In order to ensure that all families in Mecklenburg County have the information they need to choose the best program for their children, we are providing a quick overview of the three programs, what they offer, and how they may be similar and different.
The latest research on the benefits of pre-K
We know that early education is good for children and their development, but what does the latest research tell us about the specific benefits of pre-K?
Get kids off to a good start with social and intellectual learning!
Many of today’s young children experienced have more social isolation during their early years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, what are some simple things that we can do to help encourage heathy development among today’s young children?
How MECK Pre-K Measures your Child’s Growth in pre-K
There are many ways to observe a child’s growth during the pre-K years. So much is happening for them intellectually, socially and emotionally, it’s almost like seeing a new child emerge every day! As they mature, a pre-K student may develop a broader vocabulary, begin to understand basic math, become more observant about the world around them, make friends, learn problem-solving skills, and so much more.
MECK Pre-K: Elevating Mecklenburg’s Economic Mobility
MECK Pre-K was founded in 2018 with the goal of providing high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. In the ensuing five years, the program expanded to include 105 classrooms at 47 childcare centers.
The First Six Weeks of MECK Pre-K and the Creative Curriculum
Are you curious to know what goes on in a MECK Pre-K classroom? MECK Pre-K uses The Creative Curriculum®, a hands-on, project-based approach to education that incorporates real life experiences into the learning process.
How to Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem & Confidence
Kids need us to know we are their biggest fans. And just telling them isn’t enough to build the self-confidence they require to become the person they’re meant to be.
Understanding how to build your child’s self-esteem sets them up for long-term success.
When Should I Apply for Preschool?
The importance of pre-K (a school-year long program that takes place immediately before a child’s Kindergarten year) to childhood development cannot be overstated. Attending pre-K helps children gain confidence and self-esteem. It helps them get accustomed to school routines. It teaches them how to communicate with teachers and peers. It lights up pathways in the brain that will be absolutely essential to later learning.
Teaching Children to Read: Follow These Steps
Are you looking for fun and impactful ways to help you teach your child to read? This guide is designed specifically for new parents like you seeking ways to support their children’s early literacy development.
Open Ended Play: What is Open Ended Play?
Open-ended play occurs when kids play independently by examining and manipulating materials without a specific goal, set of instructions, or adult direction.
Unlike structured play, which typically involves an adult establishing predetermined rules and objectives, open-ended play has no clear endpoint or predetermined outcomes.
In Person vs Online Pre-K: Which Is Better?
With the rise of online learning, parents face a dilemma, which type of education is right for their child – online pre-K or in-person?
While some educators believe online learning can be an effective alternative to in-person schooling, other educational experts strongly disagree, arguing that nothing can replace the benefits of face-to-face interaction.
Important Lessons to Teach Kids
Teaching children essential lessons is a crucial aspect of parenting, and it helps them develop strong values and habits that will serve them well throughout their lives. Here are some of the most important lessons to teach kids.
Is Pre-K Free in Mecklenburg County?
So, how many hours does a pre-K day last? Pre-K programs vary, and may have different lengths. While some programs last a half day or about three to four hours, others have full-day options to accommodate children and parents.
How Many Hours Is Pre-K A Day? A Complete Guide
So, how many hours does a pre-K day last? Pre-K programs vary, and may have different lengths. While some programs last a half day or about three to four hours, others have full-day options to accommodate children and parents.
Creative Curriculum in the Classroom
Teachers plan opportunities for children to satisfy their innate curiosity by investigating interesting topics in developmentally appropriate ways. This curriculum not only covers essential content but also pushes children to be independent learners by using a project approach.
Half Day Pre-K vs. Full Day Pre-K: Which Is Better?
Preschool can play a valuable part in a child’s early education and social development — but is your child ready for preschool or pre-K and how much time should children four-year-olds actually be spending in the classroom?
Preschool Graduation Tips & Tricks
The transition from preschool to kindergarten is a major milestone for children. Your child learns valuable skills all year long and has every reason to smile. Now’s your chance to reinforce their love of learning with a preschool graduation party.
Benefits of Pre-K for Your Child
It can be tough to decide whether to enroll your child in pre-k when they are only 3 or 4 years old. Yet, research has shown that children build a strong foundation in social, pre-academic, and general life skills during preschool.
Preschool vs. Pre-Kindergarten: Similarities and Differences
Every child deserves a high-quality early childhood education. This may include both preschool and pre-kindergarten. There are some misconceptions out there concerning these two programs — namely that they’re the same thing. That’s why we’re going to compare preschool and pre-K, and discuss their many differences and similarities.