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Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

Rev. John Arnold

Updated: Sep 16, 2023

Starting kindergarten is a huge step for you and your child. Many children begin kindergarten when they turn five in the Fall of the calendar year, but age isn't the only factor to consider.


Kindergarten will focus on helping your child grow in several key areas:

  • Language and communication

  • Reading and writing

  • Math and reasoning

  • Social and emotional

  • Fine and gross motor

  • Independence

You need to consider how your child is doing in each of these areas. For example, in terms of language and communication, a kindergarten teacher won't be expecting your child to be able to read yet. However, does your child enjoy listening to stories? Know the alphabet? Do they draw straight, curved lines and simple shapes?


Or, in the area of social and emotional development, does your child interact well with children and adults by sharing and showing respect? Is he or she attentive to speakers?


Readiness Checklist


To further help you evaluate your child's readiness here is a great checklist from GoodandBeautiful.com.

As you complete the checklist, don't panic if your child isn't ready in all of these areas. Each child will naturally be strong in some areas and need more help in other areas. However, going through this checklist will help you recognize specific skills and competencies to work on.


Pre-school Can Help


Being a part of a quality preschool program can increase your child's development. You don't have to go it alone. In fact, the benefits last for a lifetime. At First Presbyterian Early Learning Center we became committed to child care because we realized we want to create a foundation of success for every child who walks through our doors.


Did you know that children who experience quality early learning and care programs are:

  • 25% more likely to graduate from high school

  • 4x more likely to have completed a bachelor's degree or higher

  • Earn upto 25% more in wages as adults


Questions you should ask when exploring childcare



1. When looking for a good preschool program, be sure to ask about the schools curriculum. At First Presbyterian Church Early Learning Center we use the Adventures in Learning curriculum. You want to make sure whatever curriculum is used that it is comprehensive and age appropriate. By comprehensive we mean, does the curriculum encompass all of the six keys that we listed above.


2. What are the teacher-to-student ratios? Almost every school will say that they have low ratios. Be sure to ask what that ratio is and how that ratio compares with whatever the state-mandated ratio is. For example at FPELC we intentionally keep our ratios below the state mandate. Our ratios are:


  • Infant-Toddler Continuity Classroom is 1:4. (Arkansas DHS ratio is 1:5 and 1:8)

  • Preschool Classroom 1:7. (Arkansas DHS ratio is 1:12)


Why do we reduce these ratios? Our experience has been that just meeting the bare minimum ratio requirement results in teacher burnout and compromises your child's care. So be sure when evaluating a preschool that you are absolutely clear on what the ratios are.


3. What activities are offered beyond the curriculum? Your child is rapidly growing at every level: mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. Look for a program rich in diverse experiences that will engage your child in each of these parts of their well-being.


For example, at FPELC we have two large outdoor playgrounds that allow children to run, play, and experience nature firsthand. So many valuable lessons happen during this time. Plus, we find happy kids who are having fun throughout the date are much more invested in learning.



We also include weekly music beyond our normal curriculum. Music and arts have too many developmental benefits to list here. Be sure your preschool includes time in these areas.


4. How does the childcare program handle discipline? When your child goes to preschool they engage with children and adults beyond what they are used to. This can be stressful and demands growing social skills. Be sure that whatever school you explore, it has a consistent system that helps your child learn how to self-regulate their behavior and emotions.


At FPELC we use Conscious Discipline. Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based, research-backed method; and is a leader in brain-based, trauma-informed, social-emotional learning. This method is available at (www.consciousdiscipline.com). It is specifically designed to provide teachers and parents with the conscious awareness and skills needed to create safe, connected, problem-solving schools and homes.


Discuss your child's specific needs with your childcare provider


If you complete the checklist provided and have any concerns about your child's readiness for kindergarten, discuss specifics with your childcare provider. Tell them the areas you are concerned about. Ask them what activities in school they provide that can help in those areas. What are things you can do at home to reinforce or strengthen an area? A competent provider will have clear answers.


Your daycare provider should be your strongest ally in helping your child not only be ready to enter a school environment but to reach their fullest potential.

 

Are you looking for a quality childcare provider in Northwest Arkansas?


If so, check out First Presbyterian Early Learning Center. We have a year-round childcare program for ages 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten. We would love to help you build a foundation for lifetime success for your child. For questions, call us at 479-877-1062 or email us at earlylearningcenter@fpcrogers.com.






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