Learning starts in the home. That's the positive approach that Imagination Childcare Academy takes with their day care and preschool programs. Based in Rochester, NY, the academy strives to provide children with a safe, positive, and highly interactive environment in which they continuously learn and develop. The school fosters a unique spirit of growth based on four innate principles: engagement, creativity, curiosity, and initiative. Encouraging regular activity, students learn intuitively through participation.

Based on these core beliefs, the Imagination Childcare Academy team also stresses the importance of teaching kids outside of the classroom. Here are three of the most effective ways to encourage early childhood learning and prepare young ones for day care:

• Let Children Help: In addition to instilling confidence and empowerment, allowing children to help with everyday tasks gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Whether it's choosing ingredients at the grocery store, folding laundry, or dusting, all household activities provide an opportunity for growth. Allowing kids to help at a young age also helps them build a positive attitude towards helping others and performing chores.

• Make Everyday Moments Teachable Occasions: Take advantage of simple activities, such as playing outdoors, sitting in the car, visiting the grocery store, or cooking, and transform them into learning opportunities. The very basic act of putting on a seat belt encourages responsibility. Setting the dinner table stresses the importance of helping others and sharing work. Playing with neighborhood kids builds trust and improves communication and behavioral skills.

• Read Regularly — The More, The Better: A child's natural curiosity is further piqued through reading. Books also build rich vocabularies and stimulate visual creativity via illustrations. Reading is a natural bonding experience to share with a child. Kids also begin to recognize words, letters, and numbers, leading to a more positive and confident classroom experience.

Imagination Childcare Academy is so much more than a day care center. Offering a universal pre-k program, flexible part- and full-time schedules, and small classes that allow children the time and attention they deserve, the school promotes growth on a unique, personalized level. To learn more about the child care center's services, visit the website or call (585) 413-3948.