These days, the race to college is so intense that kids are being held to higher standards than ever before. It’s no longer uncommon to hear that kindergartners are assigned homework on a regular basis or that preschoolers are being assessed from their very first day in the classroom.

The focus has shifted from just letting children explore and imagine to suddenly being given a regimented curriculum, where every minute of their day is accounted for. Free play and exploration has been eclipsed by the constant fear that children are not being productive enough to set them up for success down the road. But with standardized testing becoming increasingly more prevalent in early education institutions, children are experiencing confusion and anxiety, since they are not equipped to handle the stress involved.

A Washington Post article touched on this very issue, stating: “There is something disturbing about an early childhood education initiative that doesn’t seem to take into account how young children learn best. Where, for example, is the priority about ensuring that all early childhood programs provide creative opportunities for kids to explore and learn? That’s how they best learn, myriad child development experts have said for years.”

The FasTracKids team couldn’t agree more, which is why we are devoted to providing students with a love of learning in a fun, relaxed, interactive atmosphere. By using this method, children can gain that all-important educational advantage, without having to sacrifice creativity and peace of mind. And what’s more, our less strident approach doesn’t have any negative impact on students’ progress in school. In fact, quite the opposite is true: our studies have found that a significant number of children under six that were enrolled in the FTK program improved their vocabulary and social skills 100%-150% times faster than children who were not enrolled in the program.

Alternative pre-schooling puts a premium on letting children be children, so that they can learn at their own pace in an environment that feels safe and comfortable. With smaller class sizes, students are given individualized attention, with curriculums that are targeted to each child’s specific strengths and needs. By thinking outside the box in terms of teaching methodologies and classroom structure, children are not forced into a “one size fits all” teaching style that can leave some students in the dust. Through fun and interactive lessons, an emphasis is placed on social interaction, curiosity, and creativity, so learning can be a stress-free, enjoyable experience.

At the FasTracKids learning center, we believe learning should be “cleverly disguised as fun” so that kids can look forward to school and feel free to explore various subjects without worrying about how they score or place compared to other children. Our alternative schooling approach delivers proven results without ever skimping on meaningful and comprehensive lesson plans. For more information on our “educational enrichment programs for curious minds”, please visit us at http://ftkny.com/ to learn more. We look forward to answering all of your questions!