Preschool Offers Essential Developmental Skills, Learn More at Tonight’s Pre-K Fair

The Starke County Community Foundation is hosting its fourth annual Preschool Fair for local children and their families this evening at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. Several local preschools will be represented, including Marshall-Starke Head Start. Education Director Dawn Wallen says regardless of which school you choose, structured learning is essential to development. She says 85 percent of brain development occurs between birth and age 5. Continue reading

SCCF Preschool Fair Scheduled Tomorrow Evening

abc-blocksParents of preschool-age Starke County children can take advantage of a one-stop shop tomorrow night at the 3rd Annual Starke County Community Foundation Preschool Fair. Development Director Sarah Origer says the goal is to increase awareness of how important preschool is.

“We encourage parents, grandparents, caregivers, the whole family, to come out for this preschool fair. I guarantee they will learn something new about offerings for young children in Starke County.” Continue reading

Educator Stresses Importance of Early Childhood Education

Starke County Preschool Project logoStarke County Preschool Project logoStarke County parents of young children are encouraged to attend tomorrow’s Starke County Preschool Fair at the community center in downtown Knox. The Starke County Early Education Advisory Council organized the event, which will take place from 5 until 7 p.m. CDT. More than 25 preschools and community organizations will have booths, and several will offer activities for children. Starke County Head Start Education Manager Dawn Wallen says sending your child to a quality preschool is an investment in their future. The kindergarten curriculum has become more rigorous since many of today’s parents and grandparents were in school. Wallen says students are expected to know and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet and the sounds of letters. They should also be able to recognize numerals 1 through 20. Continue reading