In our academy, we recognize that education encompasses more than just academic achievements. We believe in the transformative power of social skills instruction, which plays a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in all aspects of life. In this blog post, we will explore why it is essential to focus on social skills and the profound impact it can have on our students' personal, academic, and future professional lives.

Creating Positive Learning Environments
By prioritizing social skills instruction, our academy creates positive learning environments where students feel safe, supported, and valued. When students develop strong social skills, they contribute to a culture of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration. This fosters a sense of belonging and encourages active participation, leading to enhanced academic performance and overall well-being.

Building Meaningful Relationships
Social skills instruction equips students with the tools to build and maintain meaningful relationships. By teaching effective communication, active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution, we empower our students to connect with others authentically. These skills lay the foundation for healthy friendships, positive interactions with teachers and mentors, and the ability to collaborate effectively with peers, setting the stage for success in academic and professional settings.

Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a key component of social skills. By focusing on social skills instruction, we help our students develop emotional intelligence, enabling them to understand and manage their own emotions and empathize with others. This self-awareness and empathy equip students to navigate complex social dynamics, handle stress, and regulate their emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence is not only crucial for personal well-being but also for developing strong leadership qualities and maintaining healthy relationships throughout life.

Strengthening Communication Skills
Effective communication is a vital skill in all areas of life. Social skills instruction emphasizes clear and respectful communication, both verbal and non-verbal. By honing their communication skills, students learn to express their thoughts and ideas confidently, actively listen to others, and adapt their communication style to different contexts. Strong communication skills empower our students to articulate their needs, engage in meaningful discussions, and build a solid foundation for success in academia, careers, and personal relationships.

Cultivating Empathy and Understanding
In an increasingly diverse world, empathy and understanding are more important than ever. Social skills instruction nurtures empathy by encouraging our students to embrace diverse perspectives, appreciate cultural differences, and develop a deep sense of compassion. By fostering empathy, we promote acceptance, inclusivity, and the ability to navigate and resolve conflicts peacefully. These skills not only contribute to the creation of a harmonious academy environment but also prepare students to be compassionate global citizens who can make a positive impact on society.

Preparing for Future Success
The skills acquired through social skills instruction are invaluable in preparing students for future success. In today's rapidly evolving job market, employers seek individuals with strong interpersonal skills, including effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. By prioritizing social skills, our academy ensures that our students are equipped with the necessary tools to excel in their future careers, confidently navigate professional relationships, and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields.

At our academy, social skills instruction is an integral part of our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals. By focusing on social skills, we create an environment that promotes positive relationships, effective communication, emotional intelligence, empathy, and cultural understanding. Through social skills instruction, we equip our students with the essential skills needed to succeed academically, thrive personally, and excel professionally in an interconnected world. Let us continue to prioritize social skills and empower our students to become compassionate, confident, and socially competent individuals.

Every child deserves a nurturing and supportive educational environment that celebrates their individuality. If your child has learning difficulties or abilities that make them unique, you might be wondering how to give them the best chance to succeed. One incredible solution lies in the magic of small classrooms. Let's explore why small classrooms can be a game-changer for your child, fostering their growth and creating a positive learning experience.

Personalized Attention:
In a small classroom, teachers have the superpower to provide personalized attention to each child. They get to know your child's strengths, challenges, and learning style on a deeper level. With fewer students to focus on, teachers can adapt their teaching strategies and give your child the tailored support they need. This individualized approach helps your child engage more deeply with the curriculum, leading to better learning outcomes.

Stronger Connections:
Imagine your child in a classroom where their teacher truly knows and understands them. That's the power of small classrooms! With fewer students, teachers can build meaningful connections based on trust, empathy, and understanding. Your child will feel safe and supported, creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking for help, sharing their thoughts, and taking risks. These strong teacher-student relationships are essential for your child's confidence and overall growth.

Learning Together:
Small classrooms create a perfect space for collaborative learning, and this is especially important for children with learning differences. Through group activities, discussions, and projects, your child will learn from their peers and gain different perspectives. Working together encourages teamwork, empathy, and an inclusive mindset. Your child will develop valuable social skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of belonging within the classroom community.

Distraction-Free Learning:
Large classrooms can be overwhelming and distracting for some children. In a small classroom, your child will have a focused learning environment with minimal distractions. This allows them to concentrate better, absorb information more effectively, and engage in deeper learning experiences. Teachers can implement strategies and accommodations specifically tailored to your child's needs, creating a supportive environment where they can thrive.

Customized Support:
Small classrooms allow for customized support and differentiated instruction. Teachers can modify lessons, assignments, and assessments to meet your child's unique needs. Whether through extra resources, alternative teaching methods, or specialized interventions, your child will receive the targeted support they require to succeed. This personalized approach empowers your child and ensures they receive the right support for their educational journey.

As a parent, you want the best for your child, especially when it comes to their education. Small classrooms can make a world of difference for children with learning differences and abilities. They provide personalized attention, stronger connections, collaborative learning experiences, a distraction-free environment, and customized support. By embracing the power of small classrooms, you unlock your child's potential and give them the tools they need to thrive. Together, let's create a learning environment where your child can shine and embrace their unique abilities.

The Heart Walk is a time of celebration, joy, and inspiration. It's also an event where people work together to support one single goal - to create a world free of heart disease and stroke.
Be a heart hero. Be a relentless force. Be a part of an unstoppable team. Join us now and together we will help save lives.
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Join the Crossway Pediatric Therapy and Academy Team:
https://www2.heart.org/site/TR/?team_id=740647&pg=team...
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The 2022 Greater Charlotte Heart Walk is on Saturday, October 1, 2022, starting a 9:00am at the First Ward Park!

Why is summer camp so important to beat summer slide in special education students?

Only 48% of parents with school aged children have ever heard of summer slide while only 38% of lower-income parents have heard of it. The old saying “if you don’t use it, you lose it” is a real thing when it comes to retaining education. Summer slide refers to the loss of learning that takes place in a child when a school break occurs. When brains are “turned off” for the summer months children don’t retain what has been taught and can regress. This is specifically a concern among special needs students as many struggle with working memory, executive functioning, and retainment of education in general. So statistically what can be lost over a summer? For the average student research indicates 2 months of reading skills and 2 1/2 months of math skills are lost over a single summer. Plus, summer slide is cumulative, so those lost months add up over time. So now that we know there is a problem what can be done to help target this issue?

 Academic Summer Camp is offered at Crossway Academy in the month of July from the 6th to the 30th Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-2:00pm. Camp at Crossway Academy is designed to allow students with unique learning profiles a structured opportunity to grow in academic areas including reading, math, science, handwriting, social skills, and extracurricular. This will occur in a unique venue adapted for small and large group integration. Students will learn to become more independent and self-confident in their skills while socializing and making new friends through themed activities each week.

Crossway Academy’s summer camp targets the special needs population to engage, expand upon, and increase academics while thriving in a fun and therapeutic environment. Not only can we help to prevent summer slide but we can help your child prepare for kindergarten as well. With a 1:5 ratio of students to teachers ranging in ages from 4-10, the camp uses research-based methods, progress monitoring, and individualized curriculum to target each student’s needs and gaps in academics, communication, and social skills. But wait… there’s more! Not only do we focus on academics but we use a bi-weekly theme to include hands on fun to include outdoor water play, gardening, a talent show, indoor carnival, field day, arts and crafts, a daily extracurricular activity and more!
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For more information about summer camp at Crossway Academy contact Amanda Lippard, Head of School, at amanda@crosswayacademy.com or 704-654-2352.