1. Program Implementation
Welcome to
To do:
Parent session preparation and supplies -
Handouts
What to Expect - Kindergarten Skills
Family Activity Sheets
Launching Letters Folder Game
Photo Name Puzzles
Parent Tip Cards
Parent Tip Cards Table of Contents
Parent Tip Card
Pretend Play
Word Find Walk
Supplies
Binder ring for tip cards
Pocket folder for parent
Locate a talking piece if you will be using one
Other
Program information for Slide 4
Prepare to talk about a day in your district’s kindergarten (Slide 6)
To say:
Welcome to Gearing up for Kindergarten. I’m ___(your name)___and I will be your facilitator for this parenting part of our class. (Note your credentials as applicable.)
The goal of this class is to help parents (grandparents, caregivers, guardians) prepare their children for a successful kindergarten experience. Today’s kindergarten has become more academic and perhaps more challenging than the kindergarten many of us attended as children.
Technology and science have made possible important research on the human brain. We know the importance of early learning and the devastating impact of observing violence on the young brain.
We will explore a different topic each week. These topics are all important in preparing your child and, in some ways, your family for school success. Note, I didn’t say academic success because, as we are all aware, school success hinges on getting along with other children, teachers, bus drivers and others. Following directions, paying attention and waiting your turn also are vital. Kindergarten is much more than just learning letters and numbers.
Let’s begin by going around the room and introducing ourselves. Please say your name and your children’s names. __(Name)___, would you mind getting us started?
Thank you!
Program Implementation

2. Program Implementation
First thing to do – before anything else ……
Watch this video to see first hand the Gearing Up for Kindergarten program “in action”.
Watch the Gearing Up for Kindergarten video

3. Program Overview for a 1.5 hour class
Families arrive
Put away coats, put on name tags, drop off siblings in childcare
First 45 minutes
Parent/child activities together in kindergarten classroom
Circle time
Second 45 minutes
Parents dismiss to the parent education room with the parent education teacher
Children stay in the kindergarten classroom with the kindergarten teacher
Note: the transition from classroom to parent session can take 5-10 minutes. Allow for this time by shortening both the parent/child and parent sessions.

4. Parent and Child Activity Time together in the classroom
Center time
Literacy
Math
Science
Sensory/motor
Circle time
Story time
Discussion with parents and children
To do:
Gather program-specific information for all the items listed in curly brackets, e.g. { }, below to prepare for this slide.
To say:
Each week, we will follow the same format.
{Explain your program’s procedure for entering the building, dropping children at sibling care, signing in, name tags, coat storage, diaper bags for siblings, purse storage, etc.}
Parent and Child Activity Time:
You and your child will do specifically designed learning activities in the kindergarten room, plus participate in a short circle time. Follow your child’s lead and interests.
{Tell participants the location or room number and the beginning and ending times of parent and child activity time.}
Parent Discussion:
Each week, adults discuss a new topic pertaining to transitions, kindergarten and child development.
{Tell participants the location or room number and the beginning and ending times of parent discussions.}
Child Classroom Time
Your child will spend time with the kindergarten teacher and the other Gearing Up-age children engaging in learning activities and play.
{Tell participants the location or room number and the beginning and ending times of early childhood education.}
Take-home Activities:
Each week, you will receive at least one, and possibly more, family take-home activities to work on with your child.
These activities are designed to reinforce the concepts your child is learning in class each week. Your commitment to this work will provide a good model for lifelong learning and homework.
{Describe program expectations.}

5. In the parent and child activity time booklet

6. Note: in the parent and child activity booklet listed in each session
Literacy – red
Science – blue
Math – green
Sensory Motor - purple

7. Table Tent Cards to be used for parent/child activity time
See the CD to understand - print as is and fold over in a v. put one of these at each corresponding center - found in the parent and child section of the CD

8. Book list for circle time stories

9. Children’s Class Time
You are on your own with the children in your classroom for this time frame – about 40 minutes (parents are dismissed with the Parent Educator)
You will not have had time to read all the stories at Circle time
read some additional stories (your own or suggested book list)
sing some songs – rhyming, pattern, counting
things you would do with your own students in your classroom
do an activity connected to the story

10. Children’s Class Time Songs, chants & charts Washing up Snack Stories
Extend the Session Activity
Book check out
Going home

11. Extend the Session (for the 10 Session Option)
Listed in the Parent and Child Activity Time Handbook

12. Parent Education Sessions

13. Parent Educator
Help parents understand the importance of interacting with their child during the class sessions
Continually encourage parents to share their experiences
Remind parents this is a time set aside for them and their four year old – put cell phones away – be present!!
Begin each session by reviewing last week’s lesson

14. Parent Educator
Help parents understand these classes are also preparation for, responsibility, routine, and procedures in school
Listening to the teacher
Raise hands to be heard
Clean up routines
Voice levels
Taking turns
For some, first time away from parents
Following directions

15. Parent Session Format Parent Presentation Topic Introduction
Objectives
Icebreaker
Content
Switching Gears
Create “Family Activities” to take home
Handouts/Parent Tip Cards and reminders for the week

16. Parent Session Handout
This is found at the front of the parent section and on the CD. This is really for the facilitator to know what is needed for that evening and what is happening in the children’s classroom. The power point section is also in the notebook and each session has a title and a theme. The first lesson is What to expect – both in the Gearing Up program and in kindergarten. You will notice on page two it says slide 1 – this is a guide to use for the parent instruction while the parents are working on their projects.
This portion of the program is designed through instruction and projects to equip parents to work with their child in preparing for Kindergarten.
It is your call as to whether you use the actual power point or follow the guide and do it through vocal and/or written instruction. You will likely not make it through all pieces of the lesson. Work to get it all in if you can.
Each lesson (slide 2) has the objectives of the evening
Each lesson also has an ice breaker. (slide 3 in lesson 1)Those are great if you have the time and can work well to build community and connection. Each lesson has two.
We have provided a program overview for the training – slide 4 is that for lesson 1.
Slide 5 – rules for the group – this is only for lesson 1 and is for the good of the group

17. Parent Session Handout
In the parent ed CD – great handout to print. Remind parents this is about practice, not mastery!

18. Parent Session – Tip Cards
In the parent ed CD – these are meant to be copied each week . In week one there is a guide of all of the parent cards. These are great on card stock and if you clip them to an O ring you have lots of great ideas for simple learning and connecting ideas for parents and kids

19. Family Take Home Activity
On the parent education cd – this particular piece is 6 pages. Prepare a sample prior to class for parents to see what they are creating. You will need to have it ready for parents along with the markers to color, scissors to cut out the rockets and letters, glue, a file folder and a zip loc baggie along with good tape to put it on the folder.
important to begin this piece of the session right at the beginning to help parents get in the routine of picking up their supplies right away and getting to work. The end result is taking home a completed educational and fun activity to work on each week at home. At the close of the classes you will have at least 10 educational take homes for your family.

22. Each week parents will complete a take-home activity to use interactively during the week with their child.

25. 10 Week Session of Gearing Up
Week 1 - What to Expect (Session 1)
Week 2 - Brain Development (Session 3)
Week 3 - Raising a Reader (Session 4)
Week 4 - Responsible and Independent (Session 7)
Week 5 - Importance of Sleep and Healthy Habits (Session 8)
The curriculum consists of 16 sessions. Most sites use 10 sessions; these are the recommended 10.

26. 10 Week Session of Gearing Up
Week 6 - Learning Styles (Session 9)
Week 7 - Temperament (Session 10)
Week 8 - Early Math (Session 11)
Week 9 - Social and Emotional Development (Session 12)
Week 10 - Parents’ Role in School Success (Session 16)

27. To order curriculum visit www. gearingupnd
To order curriculum visit If you have questions, please call Jeanne Erickson at NDSU (701) or