WCGMF-Discovery | Kindergarten Transition: Best Practices

Learn the nuts and bolts of how to organize, fund and implement effective kindergarten transition activities. (Bristol, Greenwich and Waterbury)

Resources

	[1] Article - Literacy and Pre-Literacy for Young Children (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) We all hope and expect our children will learn to read, but how many of us realize we can get our kids on the road to reading simply by reading aloud to them every day? Children exposed to books early on tend to become better learners and earlier speakers. Studies show that children who have been exposed to a great deal of language, who have been read to regularly, who have grown up in homes rich in books and print, are more likely to arrive at school age with the pre-reading skills of book handling, storytelling, knowing the letters of the alphabet, and counting to twenty. ... (28.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [2] Bristol)
	[3] Article - Numeracy (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) Children become aware of numeracy at a very early age. Many children enter pre-kindergarten with some sort of a number sense. It may come from awareness of simple counting rhymes that were recited by parents such as “1, 2 Buckle my shoe, 3, 4, Shut the door “or by singing "This Old Man." It may be shown through the innocent question of asking a child to state their age and you see them demonstrate this by holding up three chubby fingers. Children gain understanding through repeated exposure to math and hands-on interaction with manipulatives. Using little plastic cars or candy M&M’s to work with enables children to count, to see how many, to make patterns or groups and to come to an understanding that numbers involve quantity. (27.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [4] Bristol)
	[5] Article - Nutrition for Young Children (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) A big conflict in many homes occurs around the kitchen table. Parents worry about our children’s eating habits—what they eat, when, and how much or little. Childhood obesity and diabetes has skyrocketed in the last decade. The media bombards us with conflicting images. Infomercials for the latest diet plan or diet drug are followed by commercials advertising sugary cereals, candy bars and other sweets. So what’s a parent to do? (30K Bytes) (See other resources by [6] Bristol)
	[7] Article - The Bristol Discovery Initiative (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) Children are discovering the world around them. Parents are discovering their collective power. Educators are discovering new resources and opportunities. Community and government leaders are discovering the importance of investing in our youngest children. ... (25.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [8] Bristol)
	[9] Article - The Importance of Play (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) Play is central to any developmentally appropriate early childhood program. Learning is a highly complex process. Children have a naturally motivated desire to learn and make sense of things. Play can be a valuable vehicle for learning as children are able to discover, make sense of their world use language and build social relationships. According, preschool programs are well-equipped with materials for play at a challenging level where children can ask questions, make predictions, and find answers. Children naturally choose activities and materials that challenge their current way of thinking and allow their knowledge to expand. (27.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [10] Bristol)
	[11] Article - What is School Readiness? (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) Walk into any kindergarten classroom today to discover why it is so essential that all young children have the opportunity to attend a high quality preschool program. Many children enter kindergarten without the basic skills they need to do well in elementary school. They lack not only academic skills, but also the social skills necessary to successfully navigate elementary school. Many children entering kindergarten cannot recognize the letters of the alphabet and are unfamiliar with the basic ideas of reading (e.g.., words read left to right, top to bottom). Children are even farther behind in basic math skills. While some children enter kindergarten knowing single digit numbers and shapes, many children have not mastered the simple concept of "longer vs. shorter" or "big vs. little". As a result, kindergarten teachers have to spend significant time and resources helping these children catch up. Kindergarten is no longer preparation for school. It is the first year of school. Today we are asking our Kindergarten children to do more academic work at higher levels than in previous years. Kindergarten today is the first grade of yesterday. (28.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [12] Bristol)
	[13] Article - What is Social and Emotional Development? (Bristol) (Series of articles that run annually in The Bristol Observer) Social development involves learning how to have positive relationships with other people. It begins in infancy, when babies respond to the familiar voice, smell, and touch of the important people in their lives. These first rewarding experiences support toddlers as they learn to play alongside each other. Preschool children learn to share, cooperate, take turns, compromise, and negotiate so they play and get along with each other. Social skills that are developed in early childhood will support children in their school, work, family and community lives. ... (28K Bytes) (See other resources by [14] Bristol) (See other resources by [15] Ready, Set, Grow...CT Kids)
	[16] Before Your Child Enters School (Bristol) Before your child enters school, he or she should be able to: ... (32.09K Bytes) (See other resources by [17] Bristol)
	[18] Bristol Early Notification Form - Kindergarten Attendance (Bristol) (238.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [19] Bristol)
	[20] Bristol School Readiness Council 2007 Survey Results (Bristol) Number of schools – 10 public elementary schools; Number of surveys returned – 312; 1. Did your child attend preschool? ... (58.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [21] Bristol)
	[22] Brochure - Free Backpack (Bristol) The Bristol School Readiness Council is sponsoring a program that will give you a free backpack for your child filled with fun and entertaining educational materials that will help prepare your child for kindergarten ... (2.69M Bytes) (See other resources by [23] Bristol)
	[24] Classroom Visitation Program ( 3rd year) (Bristol) Dear BOE teachers: Once again, we are asking you to open your classrooms to our community programs teachers to visit you during this school year. Please indicate your interest in this program by completing the attached form. ... (23.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [25] Bristol)
	[26] Community Providers Notification and Release Form (Bristol) Bristol, as part of the Kindergarten Transition Institute, is reviewing the process of transition in our community. We have keyed into a few components to improve upon to better serve our families and children. In an effort to streamline and expedite the process, we are requesting you join us in implementing this new process. ... (35.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [27] Bristol)
	[28] Dine and Discuss Welcome Letter (Bristol) Dear Administrators, Kindergarten and Pre-K Teachers: Welcome to the 3rd Annual Dine and Discuss for Bristol’s Kindergarten and Pre-K teachers. In bringing together this group of teachers, we are trying to encourage communication and networking between Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers in the Bristol community. (23K Bytes) (See other resources by [29] Bristol)
	[30] Flyer - Birthday Party (Bristol) Appearance by Mayor William Stortz (1.78M Bytes) (See other resources by [31] Bristol)
	[32] Flyer - It's time to Register for Kindergarten! (Bristol) Flyer for Bristol parents to remind them to registser their child for kindergarten. (30.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [33] Bristol)
	[34] Flyer - Kindergarten 1st Day of School Raffle Fire Truck Ride (Bristol) Sign up sheet for raffle. (1.15M Bytes) (See other resources by [35] Bristol)
	[36] Kindergarten Parent Questionaire (Greenwich) A short kindergarten parent questionaire designed to gather information about previous school experience and home and family information. (27.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [37] Greenwich)
	[38] Letter and Agenda for Director's Meeting (Bristol) Dear Bristol Early Care and Education Center based Providers: As we start the new school year, I would like to bring everyone together for a "Director's Luncheon" to be held October 30th from 12:00 -1:30 at the Main Library located on High Street.( Meeting Room 2) ... (34.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [39] Bristol)
	[40] Poster: Arriving at School in Style (Bristol) (2.64M Bytes) (See other resources by [41] Bristol)
	[42] Poster: Countdown 2 Kindergarten (Bristol) (363.33K Bytes) (See other resources by [43] Bristol)
	[44] Survey for Incoming Kindergarten Parents (Greenwich) A survey designed by the Greenwich Public Schools to gather information from families about children's experiences before entering kindergarten. This information will help us provide programs and services that are designed to meet the needs of all of our students. (167.59K Bytes) (See other resources by [45] Greenwich)
	[46] Transition to Kindergarten Working Plan (Bristol) Bristol's plan to increase the number of kindergarten students who register on time. (66.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [47] Bristol)
	[48] Transitioning to Kindergarten in the Greenwhich Public Schools (Greenwich) The Greenwich Public Schools have the pleasure of welcoming preschool children into kindergarten from a wide variety of private and public preschool programs. Approximately 7% of the incoming children have not had a preschool experience. ... (476.5K Bytes) (See other resources by [49] Greenwich)

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