What does it mean to be ready to learn?

Helping children start school ready to learn is critical to their future success and to the well being of society as a whole.

Many parents worry that their child will enter kindergarten behind if he or she has not mastered all of the academic skills listed on various k-readiness publications found on the Internet. While there are many important skills that your child should know or be familiar with to start kindergarten with confidence (we will list these later), one of the most important indicators of a child’s success in school is readiness to learn! For example, children don’t need to know HOW to read before kindergarten, but they need to practice the skills to GET READY to read!

K-readiness or starting school “ready to learn,” may mean different things to different people. At First 5 California, the California Commission on Children and Families, school readiness means “making sure that all young children enter school physically, and emotionally healthy and ready to succeed.” (http://www.ccfc.ca.gov/Help/abc.asp)

We often fall into the habit of judging our child’s readiness to begin school by checking off a long list of academic skills. It is important to always consider the individual growth and development of our children both academically as well as socially and emotionally. While many children are ready to begin kindergarten at age five, age is not the only predictor. Each child is different and develops at a different rate.

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

At the Child Success Center, we believe in focusing on the whole child and strengthening the basic underlying skills and sensory processing systems to help children build strong foundations for successful learning. These important stepping-stones for success in school include: (Click on each skill area for more information)

• Social/Emotional Regulation
• Attention
• Language and Communication Skills
• Reading Skills
• Fine Motor Skills
• Visual Processing Skills
• General Knowledge and Motor Skills

Benefits of Kindergarten Readiness Programs

Many early childhood education experts believe that kindergarten readiness programs are valuable. Kindergarten readiness programs can help children develop social skills, listening skills, and an understanding of how to follow rules and participate in a small group or community setting.

Research shows that:

• The brain develops rapidly during the first five years and quality preschool programs can have a profound impact during this time.
• Children who attend a quality preschool or k-readiness program do better in elementary school and beyond, and have more success in reading and math (http://www.ccfc.ca.gov/Help/abc.asp)
• Children who perform well on sound awareness tasks often become successful readers
• Phonological awareness in kindergarten is the single best predictor of reading and spelling achievement at the end of first and second grade

Stacey Kannenberg, co-author of the award winning, California and Texas Approved books Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten and Let's Get Ready For First Grade! believes that a child's readiness to start kindergarten is paramount for success, not only in school but in life (Snuggs, C., 2007). (http://preschool.suite101.com/article.cfm/kindergarten_readiness_programs)

How then do you pick a readiness program that is right for my child?

What to Look For in a K-Readiness Program

“To tap into their unique learning abilities and the diverse learning style of each child, preschoolers should be engaged with a readiness curriculum that encourages playful learning and involves music, touch, and movement” (Kristin Parsons, Get Set For School as quoted by Carla Snuggs, Daycare.suite101.com).

Kindergarten readiness programs can provide a firm foundation for success in school and should develop the following skills:

• Letter, shape, and color recognition
• Use of small writing tools
• Body awareness
• Socialization
• Participation/cooperation
• Language development
  (Snuggs, C., 2007. Daycare.suite101.com)

While a quality kindergarten readiness program may be the key to a successful and rewarding year for your child, it is also important to remember that your child…

• Is naturally curious and active
• Is eager to learn
• Has unique sensory preferences and learning style
• Develops at his/her own rate and should learn at his/her own pace

If you would like more information on how to pick a k-readiness program or elementary school that is right for your child, please call us at (310) 899-9597.
---

What Can I Do at Home?

You can help foster your child’s development and learning through simple activities at home including:

For more information on what you can do at home contact the Child Success Center at (310) 899-9597 or melissa.idelson@childsuccesscenter.com