Welcome to Kindergarten! The Year of Firsts

What is kindergarten all about? It is a year of firsts Building independence Educating the whole child Seeing challenges as opportunities Getting involved First time riding a bus, first time going to school for an entire day, first time eating lunch in a lunch room. This may sound scary for some of you but it actually is a great segway into my second point, which is about building independence Our goal is to help students build independence so that they feel confident about themselves as a learner and not always have to rely on another person. This starts with riding the bus, eating lunch in the cafeteria, having your own locker, making choices, Our kindergarten team believes in educating the whole child. What this means is that they spend lots of time on the social and emotional part of a child but also spend time on academics. It is not just one or the other, it is about the whole child. Therefore they have the whole child approach In kindergarten we see challenges as opportunities for learning. When kids make mistakes (and they will) we see that as a learning opportunity for the child. Educational research has proven time and time again that one of the most important things that parents can do is to get involved with their child’s education in order for their child to succeed. This does not mean volunteering every single day (although it can for some of you). It means asking your child about their school day, it means reading to them and then with them daily, it means providing your child the opportunity for a good night’s sleep, it means communicating with your child’s teacher if you have concerns. There are many ways to get involved without actually being here at school. What is kindergarten all about?

Building Blocks of Kindergarten Health and well-being Social and emotional development Language skills Mathematical thinking Building Blocks of Kindergarten

Building the Foundation: Family Treasures Playing simple games together Talking about family history and family stories Sharing your special skills like housekeeping, carpentry, mechanics, golfing Enjoying favorite sports or other activities Cooking treasured recipes together Singing family folk songs and nursery rhymes Remembering special events like weddings, birthdays and births Collecting rocks, coins or other favorite items Gardening and sharing your knowledge of plants Crafting and teaching your child your favorite arts and crafts Celebrating religious and family holidays together Building the Foundation: Family Treasures

I am ready for school when… I am well rested. I can fasten my pants and put on my jacket. I get at least 60 minutes of exercise and active play per day. I stay focused and pay attention for 10-15 minutes at a time. I can calm myself when frustrated. I can take turns, share and help others. I can keep trying even when I don’t know how to do something. I follow one-and two-step directions. I am ready for school when…

I am ready for school when… I enjoy books and stories. My family spends a lot of time talking and playing with me. I go to the library weekly to get new picture books. My family reads to me for at least 20 minutes every day. I can sort beads on a necklace in a red-yellow-red-yellow pattern. I can organize four objects from smallest to largest. I use words to talk about thoughts, wants, needs and feelings I can say or sing familiar songs or nursery rhymes. I am ready for school when…

Top 3 things to do from now until kindergarten… Read to your child every day for at least 20 minutes. Provide opportunities for your child to get at least 60 minutes of exercise/play per day. Talk to your child daily about his/her day. Give them language. Limit the amount of electronics/TV. Top 3 things to do from now until kindergarten…

Basia Kiehler Principal kiehlerb@brightonk12.com 810-299-3900 Questions