Getting ready for kindergarten

Many parents have expressed their concern to me over the years with preparing their children for kindergarten when they are 3 and 4 years of age and most have received conflicting ideas and information from the internet and from other parents.

They are concerned about getting their children ready for kindergarten and were not sure if their children were ready to go to school in September.

They have shared with me that some of their friends were pushing their children to memorize numbers, alphabet letters and books and they were very concerned that their 4year-old’s are not as advanced or as ready for school as others their age from their preschool group.

I have written many articles on this subject and wrote to a concerned parent many years ago in my Column here regarding these same fears.

I have developed a two-part column on Getting Ready for Kindergarten as it is an important topic and I have also added to my education on the subject through new research and conversations with many educators.

As my readers know, I have learned over the past 35 years that each child is unique and develops and grows at his/her own rate. They have different life experiences, interests, abilities, temperaments, and personalities.

Since each child develops differently and at their own rate and pace, some children will have skills that are stronger in certain areas (such as language) and other areas that require more time, experience and growth (fine motor/small muscles).

It is recommended to give your child a wide variety of experiences and opportunities to help him learn through practice and play rather than pushing him to memorize specific information. Your child will learn to prepare for kindergarten through everyday activities and play. Play is your child’s work.

As they play, they will learn to explore, discuss, create, experiment, pretend, construct, learn new words, share feelings and thoughts and solve problems.

I have found that most parents try to teach their children the alphabet and how to count.

Although this is helpful, most Kindergarten teachers believe that parents are overemphasizing memorization and placing too little emphasis on other skills that are equally important, such as Self-Regulation, Emotional and Social development and Play.

In September, educators are observing Fine Motor skills (how the child uses a pair of scissors, holds a pencil and crayon, traces basic shapes), Social and Emotional skills (separation from parent, following rules, turntaking, sharing, interactions with other children), Gross Motor Skills (bouncing a ball, skipping, walking backward).

They also hope that children can identify a few colours, shapes, and alphabet letters as well as their name, tell how old they are and identify their address and telephone number.

Most kindergarten teachers have shared with me that they truly hope to find children who are happy, curious and eager to learn in their new, safe, accepting and playful environment.

Helping your child “get ready” for kindergarten is never a competition.

It is really about supporting, nurturing and assisting your child to develop in a well-rounded way so that he/she can't wait to go to the “big school”.

We are so fortunate to live in a Province where Early Learning is a priority and we have so many high quality programs and options for young children in the early years in our own communities in B.C.

As an Early Childhood Educator and Early Learning Expert, I highly recommend that your young children are given the opportunities to play, practice and explore with age-appropriate materials alongside other children prior to entering kindergarten.

Next Tuesday’s column will be a Part 2 on this important issue for parents and caregivers and will include many opportunities, activities and free programs for children from birth to age 5 that are available within Penticton and the surrounding areas.

Dear Brenda Lee is written by Author and Parenting Columnist, Brenda Lee Fisher, Early Learning Expert with 35 years’ experience working with children of all ages and specializing in the early years. Brenda has been a Preschool Teacher, Early Childhood Education College Instructor, StrongStart BC Facilitator and Public Speaker/Workshop Presenter. Visit www.brendafisherbarber.com to connect with her.