Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children

The Rise School of Austin

The preschool years are a crucial time for school-readiness, but what about life-readiness?

We are social beings, and it is our connection with others that helps us learn and grow. Social skills are life skills that must be nurtured and developed carefully in the early years. “We place the social and emotional well-being of our children and their families first,” says Hannah Bricker, Program Director at The Rise School, a fully-inclusive preschool in East Austin.  Social skills lay the foundation for children’s entire academic journey.

The Rise School understands that social-emotional learning does not just “happen,” but rather, it is carefully coached using strategies grounded in research. “As a society, we assume that children pick up these skills by simply being around their peers, but research has shown that is not the case.  Children must be supported and taught how to self-regulate, respect and manage their emotions, interact with others, and problem solve with their peers,” says Meg Bethune, Executive Director at The Rise School. “These are the life skills that are essential for success.”

 “Above all, we hoped that our children would grow up to be kind.  We wanted them to be people who see best in others, see the best in themselves, and use those strengths to make a better world that is kinder and more fair for everyone.” –Audra K. Roach, parent of two Rise School students (1 graduate, 1 Pre-K)

Audra Roach, a Rise parent, explains, “I deliberated a lot over our preschool choice. As a professor of education, I came into my school search with a strong vision of what I wanted in a high-quality, democratic education. Talk about a tough customer! After my tour of Rise, I sat in my car and just wept tears of joy. At Rise, I knew that my children would have the opportunity to celebrate difference, right from the start.  At the heart of high-quality education is humanity – and this is what I was looking for most of all. Now five years into our Rise experience with two children, I couldn’t be happier with our choice to become a part of the Rise School family. My children are both knowing and compassionate. My greatest hopes for their early years have been realized.”

These skills carry over to kindergarten and beyond. “Now that our daughter has graduated from Rise, we see how she has carried the lessons of love and leadership into kindergarten,” says Roach. “When someone is lonely, she sees that they need a friend. When someone is teased on the playground, she stands bravely by their side and talks things out. I have heard many similar stories from parents of Rise graduates, now in kindergarten. They recognize in themselves the courage to be kind and the compassion to lead.”

Not only are these students equipped with the social skills they need to be confident and successful in the school setting, but also their academic skills soar as well. It all begins with the relationships we build with others. It is the sense of connection and the feeling of belonging that optimizes the function of our brain.

Why Choose The Rise School of Austin Preschool?

• 3:1 Student to Teacher Ratio
• Master’s Level Teachers
• Exceptional Academic, Physical & Social Curriculum
• Conscious Discipline
• Zoo-phonics
• Handwriting Without Tears
• Creative Curriculum
• Individualized Play-based Instruction
• Music & Art Program
• Serving Children 14 Months to 5 Years Old

The Rise School is now enrolling for the 2018-2019 school year.

Contact:
512-891-1682
riseschoolaustin.org
4800 Manor Rd Building J
@riseATX