Full-day kindergarten: Is my child ready?

Over the following weeks Reach Child and Youth Development Society will be providing information for parents to help prepare their children for full-day kindergarten classes that start in September for all schools in B.C.

In September full-day kindergarten will a part of every school in British Columbia. The question on many parents’ minds is: Is my child ready?

Experts say no single factor determines whether a child is ready for kindergarten. Your child will be expected to have some level of readiness in a variety of learning areas, also known as ‘developmental domains,’ by the time he or she enters kindergarten. The B.C. Ministry if Education lists early learning key developmental domains as cognitive [thinking and understanding], physical, language and communication, social and emotional.

Indicators of kindergarten readiness are basic knowledge in the following tasks:

• Understanding and following instructions

• Following routines

• Counting and recognizing some numbers and letters

• Putting on coat and shoes, and buttoning, zipping or lacing

• Going to the bathroom independently, (toileting, washing up)

• Holding and writing with a pencil, cutting with scissors

• Showing an interest in books, (looking at books or listening to read aloud)

• Verbal skills, such asking and answering questions, expressing wants and needs

• Standing in a line, waiting for a turn, taking turns with others

• Playing and getting along with others

Most children are not adept in all areas, but rather have strengths in some areas and challenges in others. An important thing to remember is all children learn at different levels, in different ways and at different times.

If your child is weak in one area don’t worry. Be sure to recognize your child’s strengths and encourage natural activities that help build skills.

Don’t forget relationships play an equally important role in your child’s readiness for kindergarten, especially now that kindergarten means that they will be away from you, their primary caregiver a full six hours a day five days a week.

Spending time together and strengthening bonds will help them later with the longer days away from home.

For more information about all day kindergarten visit the BC Ministry of Education website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca.

Susie Gall is a Teacher and Coordinator of Reach Developmental Preschool which combines kindergarten readiness and skill building activities with play-based learning. Reach Preschool is a part of Reach Child and Youth Development Society, a non-profit organization that has been supporting children and families since 1959. Reach is located in east Ladner, B.C. and is currently raising money to build a community-based child development centre in the heart of the community. For information about Reach and Reach Preschool call 604-946-6622 or visit www.reachdevelopment.org