What is Kindergarten Readiness? Part 1

Kindergarten readiness means different things to different people (and schools.) Just as you wouldn’t even think of drilling a newborn in how to walk (because they’ll be doing it next year,) preschoolers need to be respected for who they are, and where they are developmentally!  They are not Kindergarteners. Or first graders. They should NOT be exposed to “drill and kill.”  (Sound scary?  It is.  It means that skills like letter recognition and phonics are drilled into them so much that it kills their love of learning!)  At Rocky Hill Co-op, Kindergarten readiness is:

Developing gross motor skills by:

Navigating through deep snow

Balancing

Rolling

Hopping (everyday!)

Running up and down hills (in the back of your school!)

Jumping!

 

Developing fine motor skills and strengthening hand muscles by:

 Playing the piano

Serving yourself snack

Opening and applying bandaids to those in need

Painting in unusual ways

Examining nature

Recording your observations in your nature journal

 

More to come!