Be Kindergarten Ready

1. Be Kindergarten Ready PowerPoint created by Northwest Suburban Integration School District #6078 Family Community Empowerment Program Based on studies from : The Transition to Kindergarten: A review of current research and promising practices to involve families. (2002) Bohan-Baker, & Little Minnesota Dept of Education, Kindergarten Transition Resources & Michigan Dept of Ed. – Guide for Terrific Transition

2. Let’s start Kindergarten • In the State of MN children are eligible for kindergarten if they are at least five years of age by September first in the admission year and a development screening must also be completed prior to kindergarten entry. • Each school community uses a combination of transition strategies to best serve families in their area and schools. Check out the Minnesota Dept. of education website for more information on kindergarten readiness: http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_els_info.htm

3. Benefits to child & parent Benefits: For your child- • Confidence entering kindergarten • Positive interaction with peers and educators • Increase learning For the parent- • Confidence that your child will succeed • A partner in your child’s education • Satisfaction in the school/home involvement

4. Questions to consider for kindergarten? • How to tell if my child is ready for kindergarten? • Is full day or half day kindergarten available to parents? • What does a kindergarten program look like? • Will my child get to play in kindergarten? • How to help ease my child’s fears of school? • How do I know if my child is learning? • How best to prepare my child for kindergarten?

5. How to know if my child is ready for kindergarten? • Have your child developmentally screened and make sure that he/she has met screening requirements. • Talk to your child about what to expect in kindergarten. • Talk with preschool teachers, child care providers, kindergarten teachers about what to expect when my child enters kindergarten. • Attend a group, workshop or class on transition into kindergarten. • Get resources for parents on kindergarten readiness.

6. Is full day or half day kindergarten available as an option? • Many school districts now offer all day kindergarten. • Check with your districts enrollment center to find out what options are available to you. • Request a school visit. www.anoka.k12.mn.us Anoka/Hennepin school district www.brookcntr.k12.mn.usBrooklyn Center school district www.bhmschools.org Buffalo school district www.elkriver.k12.mn.us Elk River school district www.fridley.k12.mn.us Fridley school district www.moundsviewschools.orgMounds View school district www.district279.org Osseo school district www.rockford.k12.mn.usRockford school district

7. What does a kindergarten program look like? Things to look for? • Number of children to adults in the classroom. • Appropriateness of program. Materials and learning is making sense for the age and needs of your child. • Children and parents feel welcomed in the classroom. • Class program is meeting needs and abilities for all children. • Children are learning in both small and large groups. • Children make choices and learn decision making. • Children have adequate amounts of supplies, books, tools for learning. • Teacher is friendly, approachable and the room feels safe , warm and caring. • Teacher respects family differences and supports the sharing of family cultures. • Teacher interaction with parents is positive and informative about what is happening in the classroom. • All children feel included in classroom discussions.

8. Why play in kindergarten? Research shows that is play is more than just fun and games and that it’s a great part of learning for children. Play develops growth in children- • Mentally- play boosts strong brain growth and lays a groundwork for school success in reading and writing. • Socially- play is significant in helping develop problem-solving skills among children and team work. • Emotionally- play helps improve emotional stability as children learn to control their emotions /behaviors. • Physically- Child’s play helps develop muscles and brain growth. • A kindergarten classroom should be filled with many opportunities for play and interactive activities that engage with learning that’s age appropriate and includes movement.

9. How to ease my child’s fears of school? • Have a positive attitude about school. • Be happy and excited about going to school, taking the bus and learning. • Make sure your child is fueled with a good breakfast and lots of rest. • Have conversations with your child about learning and school. • Listen to your child’s concerns and try to address them. • Read often to your child; introduce them to a variety of books. • Help your child make independent choices and increase confidence in decision making. • Teach them basics life skills, like addresses, phone numbers, tying shoe laces, dressings and toiletry skills. • Limit media at night. • Stay positive with your goodbyes and reassure your child that they will be safe at school and you will be looking forward to their return.

10. How do I know if my child is learning? A parent can assess their child’s learning by the following: • Observation- watch how they interact with siblings, books, media, pets & play. • Informal assessment- Ask questions of your child. Watch and listen carefully to their responses to your questions. • Formal assessment- Request a developmental screening to decide whether or not your child is meeting developmental milestones. Expect to be included in any goal setting and planning at school for your child and request results of teacher assessments to be provided to you.

11. How best to prepare my child for kindergarten? Read to your child! • Ask your child to help you read the words in their favorite book. • Observe your child’s skills at reading signs, labels, cartons, boxes, envelopes etc. • Read the same story over and over to your child; helping them with word recognition. • Create excitement in reading and be animated in your voice and demonstrate a love for reading. • You are your child’s first teacher. Be confident and stay positive. Teach independent skills Develop your child’s vocabulary

12. Independent skills for kids entering kindergarten Care for Personal Needs ___Can blow nose, cover sneeze___Is independent in using the toilet___Can wash own hands___Can snap, button, zipper or belt own pants___Can take off and put on coat___Can tie shoes___Recognizes own possessions: jacket, lunchbox, etc.___Can eat unassisted___Can use silverware ___Will put away toys when asked

13. How to increase your child’s vocabulary? Talk to your child constantly. Children learn language and increase their vocabulary in only one way — listening to the people around them. The richer and more abundant the language they hear daily, the more well developed their own language will be. In addition to normal conversation, however, you have dozens of creative and enjoyable ways to increase your child's vocabulary that can also build family bonds and heighten family fun. By Elaine McEwan- Atkins Educational Consultant • Ask questions about your child’s day. • Share experiences, activities and events with conversation. • Allow your child to express themselves about feelings, situations , relationships. • Introduce your child to new words daily and talk, talk, talk and listen, listen, listen.

14. Recipe for kindergarten success. • Encourage , promote and model literacy. • Make math part of their everyday life. • Help develop listening skills in your child. • Support your child’s teacher and school rules. • Get to know your child’s teacher. • Spend time in your child’s classroom or helping in your child’s school. • Encourage independent thinking and responsibility. • Have conversations about your child’s day.