NOT FOUND: most important teacher.jpgYour child has learned an incredible amount before coming to school, from you and from all the experiences he has had. You’ve already taught him how to sing the ABC’s and how to count, and so much more. It is the school's goal to build on your child's early learning in partnership with you and others involved with your child.
What should your child know?
Children do not need to have specific knowledge or skills to begin school. However, it is helpful if they are able to:
- Share and know how to take their turn
- Cooperate and play well with others
- Listen and pay attention for short periods of time
- Speak and ask for what they need
- Recognize their own name and answer to it
- Help out and pick up and put away classroom materials and toys after activity time
- Dress and undress themselves
- Use the toilet independently and clean themselves
- Play by themselves with toys for a period of time without needing adult attention
- Be away from their parent for brief periods and understand that parents will come back
What can you do to help at home
- Teach new skills through familiar activities (e.g. counting, sorting)
- Encourage you child to accept responsibility for personal hygiene, dressing, and tidying up
- Provide your child with a well-balanced diet
- Set a specific bedtime -- ten to twelve hours of sleep is recommended for young children
- Provide opportunities for indoor and outdoor play and exercise
- Review safety rules often
- Set up an area in your home where your child can sit to do quiet activities
- Take time each day to listen to your child share experiences about their day
- Provide opportunities for your child to spend time with other children
- Encourage your child to draw and experiment with writing
- Write your child's name on all personal belongings that he/she will take to school
Your elementary school is ready to accept and meet the needs of your child. Kindergarten teachers are ready and willing to support children with different skill levels, experiences and diverse family and cultural backgrounds. You can be confident that your school will build on all the important learning that have helped your child gain before coming to Kindergarten. The first day of school is an exciting day for both you and your child, we look forward to working with you to ensure the success of the class of 2022!