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The first grade is a new stage of life, and the way a child enters it affects their confidence, attitude toward learning, and emotional comfort. At “My Horizons” Lyceum, we see that school preparation should begin in advance — at a calm pace, without pressure, and with attention to the needs of preschoolers. This approach helps children get used to the learning environment, develop essential skills, and take their first steps into school life without fear.
Early development nurtures curiosity, supports emotional resilience, and helps a child feel ready. Our programs are designed to ensure that every future first-grader enters school with a sense of security and the joy of discovery.
School Readiness: How We Help Children Build It
At “My Horizons”, we work with all components of readiness: emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral. During classes, children learn to listen, cooperate, express their thoughts, follow instructions, and work step by step. Attention, memory, speech, logic, and fine motor skills develop naturally — forming the foundation for successful learning.
A key role is played by adaptation — learning the rules, daily structure, and a new format of interaction. We create a supportive atmosphere where every child feels understood and accepted.
The Benefits Children Receive in Our Lyceum
Preparation at “My Horizons” is delivered in a format that combines play, learning, creativity, and live communication. Children get used to the school rhythm without losing their natural curiosity. They gradually:
- adapt to the learning environment,
- develop confidence in their own abilities,
- learn to work both in groups and independently.
Such an approach reduces anxiety before first grade and helps children perceive school as a place of growth rather than stress.
The Zero Grade: A Gentle and Comfortable Transition
The zero grade at our lyceum is a bridge between kindergarten and school. Children meet their future teachers, learn new rules, and get acquainted with the lesson format — but do so gradually. The classes maintain a strong play component, and academic skills are woven in naturally.
Future first-graders learn to listen, work in groups, ask questions, analyze information, and express their thoughts. This creates confidence that becomes their support at the start of school life.
How Parents Can Support Their Child Together With Us
At “My Horizons”, we work not only with children but with families, because shared support gives the best results. Teachers explain how preschoolers change during school preparation, why a child may get tired, feel anxious, or ask more questions than before. We speak simply about developmental stages, normal reactions to new environments, and how to respond gently at home.
During meetings and consultations, teachers share practical advice: how to build independence in daily routines, how to foster interest in learning without constant “you must,” and how to avoid unnecessary pressure from grades or comparisons. Parents receive specific recommendations on daily schedules, play, shared reading, and evening communication — all the small things that truly build a child’s confidence.
This partnership approach helps the child feel that adults are “on the same team” — both at home and in the lyceum. School preparation at “My Horizons” is about calm, support, and the joy of new discoveries. We want every child to enter first grade without fear, with curiosity, and with inner readiness for this new stage of life, knowing that caring adults are always nearby.
The benefits of early preparation: developing essential skills, adapting to the learning environment, building confidence, and reducing stress before first grade.