MACON, Ga. — Two-year-old students at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Macon learn about numbers, shapes, and animals through puzzles in their preschool class.
St. Joseph's is one of the the only Macon private schools to offer a class for students this young.
"We had some families that were ready to have their students begin the education process in a more formal setting than a daycare," Principal Amanda Rogers said.
Rogers and 2-K teacher Laura Johnson say the earlier you start your child's education, the better.
"We're finding that our students who start a little younger, it's not necessarily about applying more facts it is about the socialization need interacting with each other and learning through play," Rogers said.
"We have chunky knob puzzles, floor puzzles, puzzles of all kind, puzzles that make noises. I love reading, that's my most favorite activity to do, so we have read alouds that teachers read to the students," Johnson said.
A study from the U.S. Department of Education says students who attend high-quality preschool programs have better health, social emotional, and cognitive outcomes than those who don't.
Johnson has eight 2-K students in the class who will take their skills onto 3-K next school year.
"I know, amongst COVID, it's hard. We are just social and this is the best way children can learn and grow and be amongst others, and we just love them and are glad they're here and I feel we set a very strong foundation for years to come and build on," Johnson said.
Johnson's been an elementary school teacher for 12 years and has a masters in early childhood education.
St. Joseph's now starts from 2-K and goes up to 6th grade. The 2-K program is year-round.
For more information on the 2-K program and costs you can call the school at (478) 742-0636 or visit their website.