..by Steven Hicks ( an educator for 17 years and kindergarten teacher for the past decade.)Here are what he and all the kindergarten teachers want parents to know:
1. Your job is not over when you drop your little one off at school, it has only begun. We want to be your partner. Keep us informed about what goes on at home that might affect your child's behaviour or academic performance. Share with us what we do at school affects him/her at home
2. The more self-control your child has, the more successful he/she will be in school. Children need practice in deciding how and when to express their feelings and needs, and when and if to act on impulses. Help him/her develop and practice these skills at home before he/she tests them at school, where the consequences are a loss of learning for him and for others.
3. We want you. Come in. Look around. Peruse the textbooks and materials. Knowledge is power. When parents know about the subjects we teach and have a common understanding for discussion. Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn about what goes on at school and to show your child how much you care about what she is doing.
4. Your child needs lots of opportunities to play outside of school. Playing both alone and in small groups helps facilitate learning and allows your child to practice skills and concepts. Activities include sand and water, empty boxes, play-dough, everyday household items, art materials and construction toys. When he/she plays, he/she makes discoveries and tries new things, solves problems, develops confidence, takes turns, shares, cooperates with others and learns to negotiate. Play also encourages self confidence and helps to develop communication skill.
5. Reading to your child once a day is not enough. Try to read together at least three times a day. When you read, talk about the book. Point out letters and words in the text and encourage him/her to recognize rhyming sounds and words and to identify beginning and ending sounds. Let him/her retell the story from the pictures.
6. Writing exploration at home is critical. Your child needs to have opportunities to use pencils , crayons, markers, coloured pencils as she attemps to express herself in written form. She begins with scribbles and lines, moves on to letters and her name, and then to words and sentences.
7. Homework is an opportunity for talking, sharing and listening. Teachers give homework to extend the learning of the classroom. It is a chance for you to find out what your child is studying and how well he is grasping the skills and concepts being taught at school. Talk with your child about his homework. It shows him that you care and value what he does at school.
8. Television and video games use up valuable playtime. Limits screen time. The hours spent with these electronic devices could otherwise be spent talking, reading, or actively learning through play.
9. First hand experiences are another teacher for your child. Take her to museums, the zoo, the aquarium, the library, parks, art performances, and geographic locations such as the mountains, beach, forests, and deserts. And do it often. She 'll grasp concepts and skills better if she has experiences with the real thing.
10. Your health habits influence your child.When you model a balanced,healthy diet and lots of exercise,your child will come to value a healthy way of living.
For many children,kindergarten is the first experience away from home.Kindergarten teachers want to partner with parents to help children become expressive,confident,curious,cooperative,competent,independent and engaged learners.This is what kindergarten teachers wish parents knew.And now you do.Thank You...
