“The best predictor of beginning reading achievement is a child’s knowledge of letter names” (Adams, 1990).  I am sure that you have heard this statement. It is one of the most popular quotes about letters, and it is routinely shared with educators in professional development sessions, on websites, and in curricula. Unfortunately, some have interpreted […]

Ms. Essence Walker is one of our phenomenal Infant Room teachers at LeafSpring School Ballantyne, and very deserving of the honors recently bestowed upon her by the North Carolina Early Childhood Coalition, taking top honors and winning the NC Childcare Hero Award.  The Outstanding Early Education Advocate Awards were created to honor and recognize individuals […]

By Adria Bader, Director of Curriculum Development Pull out a recent Early Childhood magazine and it is likely that some portion will show or discuss nature and the positive impact of nature on children. Most likely there will be nature right on the cover. Research shows us time and again the powerful impact of nature […]

June is Pride Month and while we honor and respect members of the LGBTQ+ community year-round, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate and learn from them. Here at LeafSpring Schools, one of our core values is Diversity. Valuing diversity also means we respect and appreciate ALL of our differences. Your child may have […]

May is the month that we celebrate Mother’s Day and all the big and little ways that our mothers show their love and dedication. It seems no coincidence that Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurse’s Week overlap with Mother’s Day. Nurses teach or educate people. Teachers attune to the health of their students, and mothers […]

Photo via Pexels written by Emily Graham   For many kids, homework can be a stressful undertaking that results in anxiety, headaches, and procrastination. Parents can feel when something is off, and sometimes that anxiety takes a toll on the entire family’s emotional dynamic. Not only that, it can make kids actively resentful of school […]

Originally published on the American Camp Association‘s blog.   Our 12 schools are gearing up for a SUMMER OF PLAY at Camp Blue Sky. And we are here to answer your questions about what we are doing to safely host summer day camps and give your children the much-deserved break after a challenging school year. […]

“While we are still learning about the pandemic’s impact on mental health, we’ve seen its effect on children and families intensifying over time. Many pediatricians have told me in the last month that their offices seem more like mental health clinics for both children and their parents. And while the pain is widespread, it hasn’t […]

  “Our children have missed out on enough over the past year. They deserve a summer filled with play.” Helen Dodd, a professor of child psychology at Reading University. Camp Blue Sky at LeafSpring School is now enrolling at our 12 schools. Find your local school here: https://leafspringschool.com/schools. Camp Blue Sky is the perfect summer […]

Many of our schools across the nation are closed or delayed due to extreme winter weather. If your children are home with you and you need to work, we know it can be difficult. These activities are easy to set up, fun, and educational. For more ideas, visit RedTedArt. Snow and ice painting – You’ll […]

The question is weighing on the minds of parents, teachers, administrators and communities across the world: is it safe for children in childcare and school settings? Our 12 schools have been open the entire time. We are proud that the education and care for young children has been mostly uninterrupted within our walls. We are […]