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May 17, 2008
Starting School
A question that comes up quite often in my preschool parent workshop is “What happens in first grade?” There’s usually an anxious tone in the questioners voice and a look that says, “Is my baby going to be okay there?” Oh, and there’s an underlying question of “Am I ready for this?”
The answer to the last question is NO, we’re never ready for letting our babies go out into the world, but school is a normal of transition that tries to make it easier for mom and child. But that transition usually happens in kindergarten.
These days a great deal of what used to happen in first grade happens in kindergarten. Much of what used to be taught in first grade is now being taught in kindergarten. The state English-Language Arts Content Standard for Concepts in Print at a kindergarten level calls for a child to: 1.6 Recognize and name uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet. The kindergarten standard go on the ask children to ben vowel-consonant sounds to make words and to read simple one-syllable sight words. Pre-reading and reading skills begin in kindergarten now.
For some of us kindergarten wasn’t even available when we started to school so there might be a tendency to think it doesn’t count. These days it does and many parents are surprised by homework, reading, counting and even addition and subtraction. I know what is the world coming to?
The question for any preschool parent today is not what happens in first grade, but how do I get my child ready for kindergarten. An answer to both questions is to have conversations, read, and play with your child.
Conversations build vocabulary. When children know and can mentally picture words as they are said, words that are written on pages take on more life and meaning and are easier to recognize. If I say the word “parakeet” and a picture of a charming little bird pops into your head the same will happen when you see the word in writing. If you see the word “trove,” you might be able to sound it out phonetically but there might not be a picture that relates to it. Too many of those words in a sentence and there is no meaning to what is written on the page. Vocabulary development for children makes the transition to reading easier. So talk and read a lot.
Playing games builds both vocabulary and concepts. Concentration is a great game for matching pictures. Dominos matches numbers. Go Fish matches numbers. I have a new favorite game for all ages-Blokus Blokus is a great strategy game, requires no reading, and allows kids to adults to see patterns, shapes and strategize ways to win. Just be careful of the vocabulary that might develop when adults lose to six-year-olds.
Posted by Dr Joni at 05:06 PM
May 10, 2008
Chico Preschool Fun
For me all workshops are fun, but some are special. Thursday evening’s workshop at the Chico Community Children’s Center was one of those fun and special ones. 
I could tell you it was special because it was close to home and driving 20 miles instead of 200 made it easier. I could say it was special because I could bring more items to share, work and play with since I wasn’t flying somewhere on an airplane and trying to keep the weight of my suitcase within a reasonable amount. When I’m flying my questions are sometimes: Do I bring an extra suit to wear or bring a child’s book, 2 games, and a set of dinosaurs for the parents to try out. I’m sure most people don’t have to ask themselves questions like that, but I do. I usually opt for the parent/kid items and fit in an extra top to wear with the suit I already have. Going to Chico I didn’t have those questions. I could take all kinds of activities to do since I only had to drive a few minutes.
But those weren’t the reasons for it being special. It was special because it was a preschool. I find preschools to be the most exciting, supportive places. They’re filled with color, games, toys, and wonder. Children are so excited every day to come and explore this new world they’re discovering. Parents are supportive and full of questions about how to help and what to do. Teachers interact with the children from the moment they arrive until the second they leave. And the feelings are contagious. That wonder and excitement rubs off. Anyone arriving at the gate feels it. This preschool setting was no exception.
Special too was the enjoyment of the company of no less than four babies at the workshop. I’m sure George at the ripe old age of eight months might not consider himself much of a baby, and in an infant preschool program, he’s right. Having babies, toddlers, and children in a workshop is sometimes a bit chaotic for sure, but it’s real for parents who are trying to juggle two or three small children, the laundry and how to get dinner on the table. We managed to talk, share, play games and do a couple activities while learning some new ideas about how to their babies and preschoolers be successful in the next few years of school.
One of the questions I always ask is: “Now that you’ve been to a workshop on how to help your child with learning, what do you plan to do with your child this week?” From the parents of preschoolers I heard answers like read a story, play Go Fish, play games outside, and go to the park. From the preschool teachers I heard make a dream book and read more stories. All of those activities directly relate to and reinforce what they are learning at Chico Community Children’s Center.
The one question on everyone’s mind was asked at the end by a curious parent, “What can we expect in first grade?”
My answer is in next week’s blog…
Posted by Dr Joni at 10:20 AM