Dayspring Christian Academy invites families with soon-to-be preschoolers, prekindergartners, and kindergartners to attend an open house on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. at the school, 120 College Ave., Mountville.

The kindergarten open house will feature a Winnie the Pooh Valentine's Day party that will focus on Proverbs 17:17a. Parents will meet with teachers and learn about the Principle Approach, which is a method of thinking and living by God's truth and which is the method of education used at Dayspring. Michael Myers, headmaster, noted that children learned this way during the Colonial and founding periods in America.

Dayspring offers two distinct kindergarten programs. Children begin learning about a variety of subjects, including science, history, and geography, and they begin reasoning from the Bible, noted Myers. God is viewed as the author of all subjects. Both kindergarten classes use field studies to bring to life what children learn in the classroom.

The prekindergarten program is appropriate for children who are 4 years old or who have just turned 5 at the start of the school year. The program is activity-oriented while introducing the structure and rigors of a formal classroom setting. As a first step into scholarship, the student notebook is introduced, and students begin formal steps toward reading through the Sound Sensible program. Students develop early math skills, learn a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet, and delve into literature as they study the life of Beatrix Potter. They explore music, art, and the environment around them, and they learn to experience the wonder of creation.

The kindergarten program is appropriate for students who are 5 years old through early 6 at the start of the school year. The program is still activity-oriented, but more emphasis is placed on paper-and-pencil activities and structured seat work. The student notebook is expanded and built upon as a tool for scholarship. The Writing Road to Reading literacy program is introduced at this level. Students expand their phonetic awareness and segmentation in preparation of beginning to read; many children learn to read before completing kindergarten.

In addition to kindergarten, Dayspring Christian Academy offers preschool programs for children who are 3 by Sept. 1. Preschool is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

These programs offer an introduction to the alphabet as students learn a Bible hero for each letter of the alphabet, culminating with a Bible Character Day complete with costumes. Age-appropriate history, science, literature, and math lessons are woven together and rooted in God's Word. Guided free play incorporates principles of self-government, order, and unity. Circle time incorporates songs, the calendar, weather, colors, and Bible stories. Daily art projects incorporate the history, science, Bible, and literature focus.

For more information or to register, readers may call 717-285-2000 or visit http://www.dayspringchristian.com.