Foundations and Current Issues of Early Childhood Education/Chapter 4/4.1

=Kindergarten Readiness 1=

Introduction
The history of kindergarten is important because it became the first large-scale early childhood program (Harris, K., & Knudsen-Lindauer, S. L. 1988 pp. 61–73). The importance of the kindergarten readiness stems from the need to better prepare our children and to understand what is expected from our children as we send them to school maybe for the first time.A child will admitted into the program at various times due to birthday regulations that vary from state to state these deadlines schools use to determine who can enter the next kindergarten class. Your child must reach the age of 5 by the cutoff date. Starting school is an important time for young children, their families, and educators. Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world. (Harris,K., & Knudsen-Lindauer, S. L. 1988 p.p 61-73) The fifth birthday is approaching and that brings the first of formal education to a child’s life. It is important to help prepare a child for kindergarten and the road ahead.

What to expect:

In kindergarten, a child will develop skills in many areas. However, kindergarten makes up only a small part of each day. The key to a successful school year is a strong partnership between home and school. The following are ideas that are used in many schools to help a child to prepare for the up and coming kindergarten year. The exposure to various important skills will be helpful such as: Counting out loud to 10 ,recognizing numbers 0-10 ,recognizing capital and lowercase letters of the alphabet, recognizing and drawing the four basic shapes (square, circle, rectangle, triangle),recognizing and writing his/her first name,buttoning and zipping clothing, tying shoelaces, coloring and cutting, listening and following directions,sharing and taking turns these will help a future student to become successful and help the kindergartner to improve their educational outcome. There are many studies that look at the interaction of teachers, parents and the community and how they contribute as critical roles in the early education of children (Journal of Early Childhood Research, Vol. 4, No. 3, 223-258, 2006). Children need to be made to feel good about who they are and that learning can be fun. Developing a love for learning and knowledge is an important life-long tool for every child.

When A Child Enters
When a child enters Kindergarten with confidence they will share their knowledge and speak more comfortably. But if children aren't ready, beginning school can be confusing and embarrassing, even frightening.The best way to help support a child in the route to kindergarten would be to attend the kindergarten orientation visit the school, arrange a tour of the school bus, involve your child in shopping for supplies and let him organize his backpack, and practice self-help skills. It is important to work with your child and the teachers as a team, the new world of school can be an exciting adventure and positive experience. It important that it is known that young children learn differently than older children, their schooling must be different. Thus, their teachers require special training to insure growth and development. It has been noted that kindergarten is "one of the major challenges children have to face in their early childhood years" (Victorian Department of School Education, 1992, p. 44) Parents and early childhood educators, on the other hand, have emphasized the importance of children adjusting socially to the school environment. It is important that children are playing and working with materials or other children. According to NAEYC, the following are good signs of a properly ran kindergarten classroom: Here are ten listed signs of a good kindergarten classroom:

1. Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as block building, pretend play, picture

books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as LEGO, pegboards, and puzzles.

2. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.

3. The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and dictated stories.

4. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences.

5. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore.

6. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day that weather permits. This play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.

7. Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story time.

8. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children

differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.

9. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel safe sending their child to kindergarten. Children are happy; they are not crying or regularly sick.

10. Individual kindergarten classrooms will vary, and curriculum will vary according to the interests and

backgrounds of the children. But all developmentally appropriate kindergarten classrooms will have one thing in

common: the focus will be on the development of the child as a whole.

(1990. Washington, DC: NAEYC) NAEYC is an organization that works toward positively building early childhood education by offering training and programs to schools and individuals. They offer studies that are based upon actual research which help further development in young children.

Sum it up: What Kindergarten should be.........
The whole experience of kindergarten is for five year olds. It is geared toward the five year old child.It is custom-made to fit children of this particular age. So remember that preparing for kindergarten takes the parent, the child and the community. So be prepared.

Multiple Choice
1. At what age are most children ready to attend kindergarten?

a. Age 4 b. Age 5 c. Age 6 d. I think children should skip kindergarten and stay home until they're ready for 1st grade

2. What is the worst way to pick a kindergarten program?

a. word of mouth b. just take what you get c. looking and talking with the teachers d. i don't know what I should do

3. How can parents/caregivers prepare their children for Kindergarten?

a. Parents/ caregivers should model a positive attitude towards school b. ignore the child c. offer advice to the child. d. none of the above

4. True / False

A kindergartner must attend preschool before attending kindergarten.

5. In Kindergarten the most important thing that a child will acquire will be

a.how to play b.preparation for the years to come c.how to fight d.that a teacher is a friend

answers: 1-b 2-b 3.a 4.false 5-b

What is "readiness," but what does it really mean? How does a parent know if there child is "ready?" How does anyone know?
Being "ready" for Kindergarten means, merely that your child is able to learn what will be taught in the Kindergarten he or she will attend, and can do the expected tasks comfortably with teachers and other children in that setting. Since learning builds on learning, this means that a child needs to have acquired the skills,information, and attitudes that are necessary to do this, and have the ability to get along with others and be part of a group. When many parents think about Kindergarten readiness, they sometimes wonder and think too much on academics, but the skills that define readiness are far broader than knowing letters, numbers, and how to count. To be ready for Kindergarten, a child should have a positive attitude toward starting school, some understanding of why he or she is there, and be open to learning new and exciting things and making new friends. The best way to learn what will be expected of your child is to contact the school your child will attend, schedule a tour and speak to the teachers that will possible be your child’s teacher. As far as wondering if anyone knows you as a parent should prepare your child by offering yourself as a great role model.

I hope that you enjoyed my thoughts about kindergarten readiness...................