As we enter an exciting new “back to school” season, we want to explore two important educational concepts: Kindergarten Readiness and Life Readiness.
What do they truly mean? How do we prepare young children for kindergarten and, eventually, to lead successful lives beyond their schooling years?
According to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), kindergarten readiness is more than academic knowledge such as recognizing letters, letter sounds, numbers, etc. We need to look at the whole child and their individual development. Appreciating their unique strengths and abilities and adjusting experiences to best accommodate their needs, allows children to develop in many essential ways.
New brain research helps us define readiness beyond academics. “It means that a child has a willing attitude and confidence in the process of learning: a healthy state of mind.” (1) While each child has distinct outward strengths and skills that we encourage and celebrate, it is important to also support the development of their mind to ensure they also embody a readiness to learn.
"How do families help their children gain this state of mind? By being responsive to all areas of their children’s development – physical, emotional, social, cultural, language, and cognitive (thinking).” (1)
Overall readiness begins with strong and meaningful child-adult relationships. When children have secure relationships with the adults in their lives, they more clearly see their value and self-worth. This is one of the guiding principles in our classrooms. When you tour our schools, take notice of the nurturing way our educators interact with each child to build a safe, encouraging environment where they will thrive during the critical years of early development.
As families help children work through frustrations, challenges, and successes at home, they begin to see themselves as capable and able to learn and grow. Their sense of wonder and creativity increases as they problem-solve and engage with the world around them. In the article, Ready or Not, Kindergarten Here We Come! (2), NAEYC provides seven tips for families to support the development of readiness skills in young children. They include:
Remember, spending quality time together, being responsive, and positively interacting with your children will support their readiness for school and life.
(1) Readiness: Not a State of Knowledge, but a State of Mind