| Junior Kindergarten is such a wonderful time. Your little | | | | Black and White) |
| one if off to school to start learning and getting into the | | | | Basic Shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle.) |
| routine of classroom schedules, paying attention to the | | | | (Optional: Oval) |
| teacher and enjoying fun filled educational activities. | | | | Counting 1-10 or 1-15 |
| I have had many parents say to me though, that when | | | | Writing down numbers: |
| they brought their child to orientation to meet the | | | | By writing down numbers I don't mean have your child |
| teacher, the teacher had a huge list of learning goals | | | | learn to spell every number. I mean just get them |
| for each child to see if they could accomplish them. | | | | drawing out the actual number like 1, 2, 3, 4, .....up to at |
| Some parents said to me "I didn't even know my child | | | | least 10. |
| had to know that yet." | | | | A helpful hint would be to have numbers posted |
| Parents have been asking, shouldn't my child be | | | | throughout any room your child spends the most time |
| learning the basics in JK? Isn't that why they are going | | | | in. You can get a numbered poster as well and hang it |
| to school, to learn? | | | | up. Within time when your child is ready you will see |
| The fact is, is that children all learn and develop at | | | | them trying to write down numbers. Tracing is also a |
| different times and at different levels. But, just because | | | | great way to help your child as they begin to write |
| your child may not be up to what some teacher's | | | | things down on paper. |
| expectations are, doesn't mean that your child will be | | | | Alphabet (they should be able to at least sing the song |
| behind for their entire educational experience. Some | | | | and be familiar with the letters in their name.) (Optional: |
| children who may be "excelling" now may come to a | | | | It's a great idea to get an alphabet poster that they |
| stand still while other children who are "behind" catch | | | | can look at and you can point to each letter as you |
| up and possibly surpass other children's learning abilities. | | | | sing the alphabet.) |
| If you want your child to be prepared for school here | | | | Writing their name: |
| are some tips that you can follow to help you out. | | | | This one can be a little bit tricky, but once you |
| First of all you can try to find out what will be taught in | | | | introduce them to the alphabet, they will soon be trying |
| your child's grade/level before school begins and find | | | | to draw the letters that they see, naturally. Once they |
| out what the basics are. Once you find out the basics, | | | | show an interest in this, it's a great idea to try and get |
| if it is simple enough for you to do so, you can work | | | | them to trace letters and then eventually move up to |
| on them at home with your child, nothing more, nothing | | | | writing their name. |
| less. It will be kind of like a head start introduction. Your | | | | This won't happen over night so patience is needed. If |
| child will feel comfortable when starting school | | | | you are consistent at it and make it enjoyable and fun, |
| because he/she will know the basics and will be | | | | and let them go at their own pace, learning to draw |
| familiar with the materials that the teacher will be | | | | letters should be a fun learning experience for both |
| teaching the class. | | | | you and your child. |
| You can find out such information by talking to other | | | | Age appropriate books with colors, numbers, shapes, |
| parents who have had children in the same class/level. | | | | and letters are also a great way to introduce these |
| Call the school and speak to someone who teaches | | | | learning areas. Your child can look through them at |
| that class/level or who is familiar with it. You can also | | | | their own leisure. |
| do an online search and see if you can find any | | | | With these few tips and hints your child should be able |
| information that way as well. | | | | to learn all these basics in no time. Just remember |
| What about JK? That is a big one because this is the | | | | there is no rush. You can't make your child learn |
| level where children are just introduced to an actual | | | | something they are not ready to. Just be patient, make |
| school setting for the first time. | | | | all materials available and before you know it your child |
| Some tips on basics that your child should be familiar | | | | will be asking you questions and you will be on your |
| with are as follows: | | | | way to a wonderful learning experience. |
| Basic Colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange) (Optional: | | | | |