By Guest Smarty Blogger Allycia Brown, Co-Director of Admissions, Charlotte Christian School
Although we are just a month into the current school year, families with preschoolers are beginning the process of searching for a place for their child to begin kindergarten in 2019. For the next 10 months, parents will prepare their little ones to be ready for entry into school and will use a wide variety of measurements to ascertain this readiness.
The key components of language, fine and gross motor skills, math, reading, self-care, and social/emotional skills are often associated with kindergarten readiness. These are all important, but I would like to add one more to the list – the “grit factor.” After reading Dr. Angela Duckworth’s’ book, Grit, I am certain of the importance of fostering grit in our youngest learners, and that this grit factor can play a critical role in whether or not a student is ready for kindergarten. Grit, defined by Duckworth, is “a combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal.” Through extensive research, Duckworth has found scientific evidence that grit can grow when nurtured appropriately.
Nurturing grit begins with fostering social/emotional resilience and the ability to bounce back from disappointment and challenges. As parents, one of our goals is to encourage and bring forth our children’s unique gifts, talents and abilities while teaching them the joy of learning, the gift of failure, and the importance of freedom in combination with the blessings of limits. Here are a few suggestions for helping you build your child’s grit factor:
– Don’t let your child quit when a task gets too hard.
– Assign age-appropriate chores and responsibilities that build character.
– Be attuned to your child’s emotional needs.
– Know your child as a unique individual – there is only one like them.
– Let your child’s success be theirs.
– Instill in your child the values of hard work and passion.
– Set healthy boundaries, offering freedom with limits.
– Be supportive and let them try new things.
As parents we have the opportunity to set the stage for preparing our children to be successful for the days ahead. I have two children – a son who is a freshman in college and a daughter who is a sophomore in high school – and therefore I fully understand that parenting can be a difficult, yet rewarding, journey. Not everything that comes out of your child will be pretty, but it is in those situations that we as parents can foster an attitude of grit. A wise parent often reminded me that my children are not only modeling what I do, but also emulating it, too. So, I have had to ask myself what is my own grit factor? Do the math and you will realize that your child will spend more time in the years to come at school, so be mindful that it is important for the educators, care givers, and family members that will influence them daily to possess a little grit, too.
About the author:
Allycia Brown is the co-director of admissions, working primarily with lower school applicants, and has worked at Charlotte Christian School since 2006. 
Mrs. Brown attended Clearwater Christian College and Queens University where she earned her B.S. in Education. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Humans Services with a focus on Marriage & Family Ministry. Allycia and her husband, Shonn, have a son who graduated from CCS and a daughter who is a sophomore. They are both lifers of Charlotte Christian.
Charlotte Christian’s Admissions Events
“Come see Christian” and experience the CCS community at an upcoming open house or early education enrichment event.
2018 FALL OPEN HOUSES
JK-K
Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
JK-Grade 5 Prospective Parent Curriculum Night
Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Grades 6-8
Saturday, Oct. 27 at Noon
Grades 9-12
Thursday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Please click here to register for an open house.
EARLY EDUCATION ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Prospective students ages 4-6 and their parents are invited to “Come See Christian” and be our guests and experience the Charlotte Christian Early Education program through 45-minute, discovery-based learning/play events.
– STEM – Oct. 2 at 3:15 p.m. – Led by our lower school STEM enrichment teacher, hands-on activities will spawn curiosity and creativity in the world of science and technology in an age appropriate and balanced lesson.
– Music and Movement – Oct. 11 at 3:15 p.m. – Led by our lower school music and physical education enrichment teachers, activities will promote gross motor development, imagination, and intellectual curiosity through music and play.
Please click here to register for an enrichment event.
Please contact the admissions team to tour the campus, reserve your space at an upcoming open house or enrichment activity by calling (704) 366-5657, e-mailing admissions@charchrist.com or visiting www.charlottechristian.com/admissionsregistration.
Charlotte Christian School
7301 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 366-5657
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Twitter: @charchristiannc
Instagram: @charlottechristianschool
