Bright Beginnings Classrooms Celebrate Thanksgiving Our Bright Beginnings preschoolers and moms got a nice break from their busy routines and hosted a Thanksgiving celebration in our classrooms. Many of our students and parents are new to Thanksgiving and this was a great chance to teach them the origins of this gratifying holiday [...]
Through Dramatic Play, Children Prepare for the Real World A group of preschoolers playing pizza shop may seem like a simple afternoon of clean fun, but they’re engaging in a positive learning experience called dramatic (or pretend) play. The process of “pretending” builds skills in many essential developmental areas and offers proven benefits [...]
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families offer valuable tools for developing and sustaining a strong family culture in a turbulent world. Six mothers enrolled in Grace Place for Children and Families’ Bright Beginnings program participated in a workshop to learn the 7 Habits this month. No family is free from challenges, from its own [...]
Another Bright Beginning... César will start kindergarten in August. When he does, he won’t just be “kindergarten ready.” He is performing above average for his age in cognitive, literacy, and social/emotional skills. He will enter school for the first time already well-acclimated to a classroom environment. He will start with the ability to count [...]
MEET RICARDO When Ricardo started the Bright Beginnings program at Grace Place he barely spoke a word of English, not that you would know, because he barely spoke at all. "Ricardo was one of the shyest little boys I've ever met. He would cry every time we ventured out of the classroom [...]
Remembering Barbara Bush Barbara Bush’s philanthropy and advocacy has changed lives across the world. As a champion for literacy, she knew the boundless value in simply being able to read a book to your child, in being their first teacher. As we mourn the loss of this change maker, I wonder how many [...]
There was an abundance of Christmas spirit at Grace Place this December as programs celebrated the season with special parties and events. Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers came together at the Bright Beginnings Christmas Festival to celebrate with educational Christmas themed activities. Even Santa himself made an appearance. The mom's in [...]
This year Grace Place has added a schedule of special visits and field trips to the Early Childhood Education component of the Bright Beginnings program. Most recently, the children enjoyed a visit from the Humane Society of Naples. The children spent the week before the visit learning about pets. They learned about the characteristics [...]
Dilia first came to Grace Place nine years ago to attend Beginnings 101 classes once a week and to enroll her eldest son Jose, who is on the autism spectrum and was then one year old, in Early Childhood Education. The pair attended for three or four months before illness forced them to stop. Dilia [...]