What Is Your Child Learning in Kindergarten?
Each spring, parents and families are encouraged to visit their children’s schools to learn more about what their children are learning. Some parents are excited that their children are learning to read and compute basic math problems. Others are excited that their child has a new friend and is learning to express himself in an illustrated picture with a sentence describing the picture. I am excited that my grandson is learning to understand the individual differences of his classmates while naturally exploring how to read sight words and counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s. His teacher also incorporates a variety of personal growth and study skill development activities during the school day.
Examples Personal Growth and Study Skill
The following are examples of how the teacher encouages students’ growth:
- A focus on relationship skills when respecting student’s individual differences
- Learning to understand another classmate’s perspective when problem-solving a conflict
- Playing in small groups and playground settings
- Learning to read relevant sight words when academics are not emphasized
- Learning to count in multiplies and using problem solving skills
- Having parents participate with children in small group activities
- Participating in library activities that include group readings, games, and checking out books
- Spending lots of time playing with classmates on the playground with a huge building structure and while leaping off a giant rock
- Participating in a supportive afterschool program for younger children with a focus on messy art projects, water explorations, and sand play
My Grandson Is Having Fun
As my grandson learns how to navigate his daily activities on a large school campus, he is having fun and is confident of his learning successes. Academics will come in time when he is developmental ready to sit for longer periods of time in the classroom.
May your child’s kindergarten experience be filled with much exploring and creative learning!
Joyce
Copyright © 2019 by GenParenting
Joyce Iwasaki has over thirty years of educational experience working with diverse students in grades from preschool through high school. Joyce’s extensive background includes teaching elementary school, serving on early childhood advisory boards, and advocating for educational initiatives as a legislative aide. During her tenure as a legislative aide, she helped create legislation that allowed incarcerated mothers to keep their newborn babies with them while in prison. Additional legislation was enacted to allow incarcerated pregnant mothers to remain unshackled during labor and delivery. Ms. Iwasaki established and served as the president of an educational scholarship foundation for fifteen years. Her foundation awarded college scholarships to emerging student leaders who provided service to their schools and communities. Joyce is active in performing arts and cultural organizations. She also provides ongoing support to her daughter and family by raising her grandson in her home.