By Dr. Rhonda Bennett  |  Head of Lower School, BGA

 As the Class of 2037 enters kindergarten, education has evolved significantly from their parents’ time, requiring more tools than just pencils and crayons to thrive as learners. As the world around us changes, so do the needs of our youngest learners. “Preparing students for an unpredictable future starts with building the right foundation of mindsets, skills, and habits,” says Dr. Rhonda Bennett, the Head of Early Childhood Education at Battle Ground Academy.

 

Although core content and skills like reading, writing, and math will always be important, developing a growth mindset, mastering transferable skills, and practicing scholarly habits are the bedrocks of success. “We must be aware of what students need beyond traditional academics,” says Dr. Bennett. “Across domains, students will need strong leadership skills, intellectual agility, dependability, and collaboration to be successful through and beyond college.”

 

Educators at BGA believe in the importance of developing these attributes from a young age. “We want our students to not only solve problems but also be able to identify problems from the start,” shares Dr. Bennett. “We do this through inquiry-based learning and creating environments conducive to discovery and exploration at all grade levels.” In an inquiry-based setting, the teacher takes on coach-like qualities, helping students through guided exploration, skill development, and feedback. Questions encourage curiosity, deep thinking, and problem-solving, rather than a direct line to solutions. “When kids apply skills in an authentic context, they see purpose in their work. They become more invested and better problem-solvers as a result.”

 

In practice, inquiry-learning looks like fewer assigned chapter readings or rote memorization, and more problem-based scenarios where students learn by doing. Through these experiences, students design, iterate - even fail - and then try again as they learn to approach obstacles with resilience. “It’s about productive struggle – sticking with a challenge and trying different strategies – as opposed to seeking immediate gratification,” says Dr. Bennett. “It can be hard for us as parents to watch our children go through this learning process, and our initial instinct is to rush to help. But, persevering, and ultimately succeeding in a difficult task, builds confidence and leads to a mindset that approaches future struggle with greater resolve.”

 

BGA’s new strategic plan, launching this fall, will enhance programming to benefit all students, including experiential learning opportunities through travel; further development in STEM; a cohesive approach to student well-being; and a comprehensive approach to leadership beginning in pre-K.

 

With the return of the BGA pre-K program this fall, and the addition of a three-year-old section in 2025, BGA students can begin developing intellectual curiosity, a growth mindset, and resilience even earlier in their educational journeys.