Ensuring that children are developmentally ready for school on day one of kindergarten is critical. The better prepared children are for kindergarten, the more successful they are likely to be in their school experience.
Kindergarten readiness involves more than just a child’s age and academic abilities. It also encompasses social-emotional competencies, including whether children can follow directions, regulate their own emotions, and get along well with others.
As a former principal for a large urban school district who has opened an early childhood center with more than 400 children, I have extensive experience in preparing children for kindergarten and working with parents to do the same. Here are three key steps that school systems can take to ensure that all children have the solid foundation they need to start kindergarten ready to learn with their peers.
1. Implement a prekindergarten curriculum that addresses all of the developmental domains required for success
Adopting a Pre-K curriculum that encompasses all the domains of early learning is crucial for getting children ready for kindergarten.
Author Recent PostsAli Oliver, Vice President of Professional Development, Frog StreetA former elementary school principal for the Houston Independent School District and a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor, Ali Oliver is currently Vice President of Professional Development at Frog Street Press, a provider of early childhood curriculum and professional development for early childhood educators. Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)
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