I'mGoingToKindergarten

7/30/2019 I'mGoingToKindergarten

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Catawba County Schools 828-464-8333Website: www.catawbaschools.net

Balls Creek Elementary 828-464-4766Banoak Elementary 704-462-2849

Blackburn Elementary 704-462-1344Catawba Elementary 828-241-3131

Claremont Elementary 828-459-7921Clyde Campbell Elementary 828-256-2769

Lyle Creek Elementary 828-464-0299Maiden Elementary 828-428-8769

Mountain View Elementary 828-294-2020Oxford Elementary 828-459-7220

Sherrills Ford Elementary 828-478-2662

Snow Creek Elementary (number not yet available)St. Stephens Elementary 828-256-2570

Startown Elementary 828-464-1257Sweetwater Elementary 828-327-3689

Tuttle Elementary 828-428-3080Webb A. Murray Elementary 828-256-2196

Hickory Public Schools 828-322-2855Website: www.hickoryschools.net

Jenkins Elementary 828-327-3491Longview Elementary 828-327-2070Oakwood Elementary 828-322-1340

Southwest Elementary 828-324-8884Viewmont Elementary 828-324-7049

Newton-Conover City Schools 828-464-3191Website: www.nccs.k12.nc.usConover School 828-464-9532

Shuford Elementary 828-464-1973South Newton Elementary 828-464-4061Thornton Elementary 828-464-2631

My Childs School is:

My Childs Principal is:

My Childs Teachers are:

Produced by the Catawba County Partnership for ChildrenMarch 2009


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I hear, and I forget

I see, and I remember

I do, and I understand.

- Chinese Proverb

Special thanks to:

Members of Catawba Countys Ready Schools Task Force

Catawba County Schools

Hickory Public Schools

Newton-Conover City Schools

School Superintendents

Catawba County child care centers, family child care homes, preschools,

and half-day programs

Catawba County Parents

Catawba County Kindergarten Teachers

Catawba County Public Health

And credit is given to the following resources:

Getting Ready for Kindergarten by the Transition to Kindergarten

Project in Buncombe County

Were Going to Kindergarten by Nash-Rocky Mount SchoolsGoing to School How to Help Your Child Succeed by Sharon L. Ramey,

Ph.D. and Craig T. Ramey, Ph.D.

Ready Schools Task Force

Catawba County Partnership for Children

P.O. Box 3123, Hickory, NC 28603

Phone: 828-328-4848

Fax: 828-328-4551

www.catawbakids.com

For additional information about Ready Schools:

www.ncreadyschools.org

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When children enter Kindergarten, they experience acontinuing step in their educational experience.

Kindergarten is their first introduction to elementary

school ... what a perfect time to emphasize positive

attitudes toward school and encourage the development of

success in learning new skills! There are many ways that

children can be supported during the transition into this

important stage in their lives.

Families are the most vital support for young

children. You are the key to successful experiences atschool. We hope this booklet will help you achieve a good

start for your childs education. We pledge to work hand in

hand with your family to form a strong, supportive partner-

ship for learning. We know that you and your child will dis-

cover that Kindergarten is truly something to smile about!

It will be ready for ME!

Ill be a little bit scared.

I am excited!

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What does my child need to bring to school?

How will I send money for lunch or fieldtrips to school?

How do I know how my child will get to school?

What do I need to know about before-school and after-school

care?

Will my child get a snack during the day? What about a nap?


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The following are suggestions to help make the first day ahappy day!

Set the tone that learning is good, fun, and important.

Share with your child fun things you remember about

school.

Begin the going to bed/getting up routine at least a

week before school starts so that everyone will be used

to it by the first day.

Make sure your child has a good breakfast or arrives at

school early enough to eat breakfast at school.

Label all personal belongings such as jackets andlunchboxes.

Place any money your child takes to school in an

envelope and label it with your childs name, the

teachers name, the amount, and what the money is for.

Make sure your child is dressed in clothing that he orshe can manage by themselves at bathroom times.

Provide a special place at home for school materials,

such as backpacks, notes, lunch money, etc.

Set aside a special time later that afternoon or evening

to talk about the day. Tell me about your friends!What was your favorite part?

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You are the first and best

teacher for your child.

Being involved in education willmake a difference!


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By North Carolina state law, registration in

kindergarten is open to children who turn five years old on

or before August 31st.

1. Determine the elementary school your child will attend.

Where do your neighbors children go? You can also visit

an elementary school close to your home to determine

the location of your childs school. Be sure to find out

the date of kindergarten registration.

2. Bring the following items when you register:

- Your childs Social Security card

- Proof of residency (property deed, rental

lease or utility bill are acceptable)

- Your childs certified birth certificate withseal (photocopies and hospital certificates

are not acceptable)

- Your childs immunization records

3. Medical information (completed health assessment

form), signed by a physician or the health department,

will be required when you register your child forkindergarten or on the first day of school.

Following correct procedures will

assure a smooth entry into school

for your child. Please plan ahead.

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Kindergarten offers learning beyond the classroom.

Fieldtrips offer children direct learning experiences in the

real-world environment. Students may visit:

Museums

Police Stations Fire Stations

Dramatic productions

Farms

Libraries

Guests are always welcome to share hobbies or

occupations with classes. Students may meet:

Community helpers

Parents and family

members of peers

Musicians Artists

Storytellers

Do you have other ideas? Be sure to share them with

your childs teacher! Exposing children to many, varied and

unusual activities will enhance their knowledge and skills andcreate a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Parks

Airports Construction sites

Bakeries

Railroad stations

Dramatists

Community leaders

Authors

Government officials


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There is no typical kindergarten child. Each five

year old is unique in his or her developmental process. Yourchilds kindergarten program is based on meeting the needs

of the total child.

Keep in mind that most kindergarten-age children:

Enjoy using their imaginations

Remain quiet for only short periods of time

Change friends frequently

Love to talk and question

Continue to develop eye-hand coordination

Reverse numbers and letters frequently

Enjoy running and jumping and moving their bodies

Learn through touching, handling, exploring, and imitating

Need routines

Enjoy helping and accepting simple responsibilities Display curiosity

Need to develop patience in waiting for their turn

Enjoy artistic expression

Learn best through play

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It is important to understand how your

child learns! Children who are successful in school enjoylearning.

Support your childs exploration and curiosity.

Recognize and praise attempts and efforts to help build

your childs confidence. Your support will help your child

learn to take initiative. Provide opportunities, props, and materials for your child

to express creativity and imagination through a variety of

avenues, such as art, music and movement, make-believe,

and pretend play.

Children learn best when they are having fun!

Interesting and creative play is much more

effective than rote memory routines.

Why children ask WHY so often Children are genuinely curious about things that are

interesting or perplexing to them. Your prompt responsehelps to teach your child that asking questions is good! They

need to know that adults can be counted on to provide infor-

mation, but its also okay to say, I dont know. After all,

children also need to know that adults dont know everything.

Help them to find the answer!


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Children must have their basic

needs met for health, rest, nutrition, and

feeling safe before they are able to learn!

Make sure your child has had regular medical

check-ups and vaccinations.

Regular visits to the dentist and daily tooth

brushing are so important.

Establish a bedtime routine and a certain time for bed to

ensure your child gets plenty of rest (10-12 hours a night).

Junk food is fine once in a while, but healthy foods build

better minds and bodies! Encourage healthy eating by

modeling it yourself, fixing nutritious,

balanced meals, and having healthy snack foods in yourhome.

Physical exercise helps your child to develop balance,

strength, and coordination. It also serves as a

release for all of that boundless energy!

Take your child to the park to play on theoutdoor equipment

When you have access to stairs, let your child

climb up and down

Provide opportunities for your child to ride

tricycles, run, jump, hop, and climb

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A happy place

for learning!

An environment of

acceptance and trust!


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The development of language skills - listening,

speaking, reading, and writing - is critical to your childssuccess throughout their school years and the rest of their

lives. It is tied not only to reading but to every subject and

everything they will learn and do in school. Effective

communication is learned through meaningful experiences,

not drill. Maintaining a childs home language is important.

Listening and SpeakingIt is valuable for your child to be able to

express in words his or her needs, wants, and some thoughts

and feelings when your child starts

Kindergarten.

Talk together - a lot! Listen carefully to your childs ex-periences, ideas, and feelings.

Ask your child questions that require more than a yes or

no answer.

Describe things that you are doing and explain why or de-

scribe what your child is doing. Introduce new words to your child as you

experience everyday things.

Sing lots of songs and learn lots of nursery rhymes.

Play fun games to practice listening skills, such as Simon

Says.

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Offer choices. Decisions on snacks to bring or clothing to

wear to school are good places to start.

Involve your child in measuring when cooking, planning the

route for a trip, and reading a thermometer when

discussing the weather. Look for shapes in your home anddiscuss the names of the shapes.

Sing your favorite childrens songs.

Encourage physical activities. Dont forget jumping rope,

and throwing and catching balls.

Give responsibilities for small home chores, and encourage

independence. Provide opportunities for your child to play with other

children.

Set limits and rules for behavior in your homes and while

visiting other places.

Set limits for time involved in watching TV and playing

video games.

Hug! Praise! And say, I Love You!

I tried to teach my child from books.

He gave me only puzzled looks.

I tried to teach my child from words.

They passed him by, oft unheard.

Despairingly, I turned aside,

How shall I teach this child, I cried.

Into my hand he placed the key.

Come, he said. Play with me.

- Parent Soup


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Your home offers many opportunities to engage your

child in learning experiences that are essential in developing

a successful start to school. Listed are a few suggestions.

You are your childs first and constant teacher, so add ideas

to this list!

Listen to your child. Children have so many good ideas.

Read! Read! Read!- Discuss what was read. Ask your child questions

concerning what you read.

- Visit the library and get a library card.

- Tell family stories.

- Repeat nursery rhymes together.

- Share favorite poems.- Read signs, billboards, and advertisements along

the highway, menus in restaurants, and labels on

items in the grocery store.

- Provide pencils, washable markers, crayons, paper,

paint, scissors, and glue.

Encourage writing

- Provide a space for writing and materials to use(crayons, pencils, paper)

- Let your child see you write and tell your child why

you are doing it (grocery list, note to your spouse,

thank you notes, etc.)

- Have a place such as the refrigerator to display

your childs writing. Ask thinking questions. Refrain from telling all of the

information. Ask, What do you think?

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Reading Read with your child every day.

Sometimes follow along the words with your finger as

you read.

Ask questions and answer your childsquestions as you read.

Point out signs and other print in the

environment such as cereal boxes, street

signs, and the menu at the drive-through.

LET YOUR CHILD SEE YOU READING!

WritingYour childs first attempts at writing may be

scribbles. Do not discourage this! He or she is practicing

communicating in this new way. Holding a pencil and making

letters requires a lot of finger strength. Things like playdough, puzzles, scissors, and legos help develop those little

finger muscles.

Invite your child to tell you about drawings or to read

his or her note.

Praise efforts. Respond to the message, not how itlooks.

Let your child see you write and tell your child why you

are doing it.

Display your childs writing with great pride!


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Children are born with a keen sense of

curiosity and a strong desire to learn. Their

interests and exploration should be encouraged. This is howthey gain knowledge about their world. They also need many

opportunities to think and solve problems.

Young children develop concepts as they

interact and work with materials, people, events, and ideas.

I learn the properties of sand by pouring it, feeling it, and

adding water.

Take turns pretending to do something or making

different expressions. Let the other one guess what you

are doing or feeling.

Provide some toys and materials that require thinkingsuch as wooden puzzles, blocks, and things to sort and

match.

Provide material scraps, boxes, and other things from

around the house to use for creative play and art.

Work with your child on learning his or her first and last

name, your name, your phone number, and your address.

Talk to your child about the things that go

together, such as socks and shoes and fork and spoon.

Help your child learn some body parts like arms and toes

and some things in your home such as bed, table, and

chair.

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Volunteering is a good way to increase your knowledge ofschool curriculum and activities. You are needed, and you

are welcome!

Visit your childs classroom.

Ask your childs teacher the best method of

communication with them. Phone? Notes? E-mail?

Visits? What times are best? Volunteer to help in your childs classroom.

Attend student performances and activities. Assist when

needed.

Join and attend Parent-Teacher Organization meetings.

Participate in workshops.

Join school committees.

Attend family-teacher conferences.

Communicate with your childs teacher whenever you see

a problem or if a change occurs in your family. Dont wait!

Let the teacher know right away.

Communicate with the school whenever you see goodactivities occurring.

Involved families create children who display

greater positive attitudes toward school

and more appropriate school behavior.

Expect success!Praise and encourage!


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By believing that your child can succeed, you are laying the

foundation for a successful learning experience. Remember, Youdont need a lot of time to do a lot of good!

Reflect positive attitudes about school

Share some of your familys good school stories.

Be sure to remember

Complete all necessary school forms

Schedule the date and time for Kindergarten assessment at yourchilds school.

Make a personal visit to the school

Take a walk around the school with your child. Observe children,

classrooms, the media center, cafeteria and outside areas.

Meet the principal and other staff members.

Understand transportation procedures

Teach your child safety rules for the bus, for drop-off and pick-up, and for walking to and from school.

Label all personal belongings.

Provide easy-to-use book bags.

Prepare a routine to follow for school days

Come to school every day.

Be on time.

Provide your child with a healthy breakfast. Establish lunch arrangements - choose in advance - cafeteria or

lunch box. Deciding the night before will ensure a happy

beginning in the morning!

Go with your child on the first day of school. But remember,

dont stay too long. Each child reacts differently to new situations.

Communicate with your child concerning fears andanxieties about going to Big School. Be patient

and positive. It will be alright!

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Assist your child in learning such concepts as hot and

cold, in and out, and over and under, by describing those

things as your child experiences them.

Point out colors in the natural environment and let your

child find colors that are alike and different in

magazines, in your yard, etc.

Introduce your child to the world around you by taking

walks, visiting the grocery store, park, library, and other

places in your town. Talk with your child about what you

see.

The 5 Rs for Parents!

Make sure your child: Gets plenty of REST

Eats REALLY healthy foods

Has ROUTINES and a schedule

Attends school REGULARLY

Is READ to every day

Parents, you are more important in the life of your child

now than you have ever been! You know your child better

than anyone else does. You were your childs first teacher

and you will always be the most important one.


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What about Math?It is important for your child to begin to understand

mathematical concepts. However, remember that math

includes more than just numbers and counting. It includes skills

such as comparing, classifying, and sequencing. Having real

examples of items of different sizes, shapes, and weights for your

child to explore will help him or her to develop a solid foundation

for performing mathematical tasks throughout school and the rest

of your childs life.

Give your child the opportunity to sort things that are alike

and different. Sort coins, socks, and silverware.

Set up a routine or sequence for the morning and at

bedtime. Help your child determine what comes first, second,

third, last.

Help your child to know his or her birthday and how old he or

she is.

Identify shapes in the environment and point them out to your

child regularly. Your cracker is a square!

Help your child begin to understand the concept of time using

concepts he or she can understand, such as day and night.

Self-Help and IndependenceWork with your child to learn to snap, zip, button, and

tie so that he or she can take care of toileting needs

and put on shoes and coats independently at school. If

your child has not yet mastered all of these skills, help

your child dress in clothing that he or she is able to manage.

Help your child learn how to wash hands, use a fork and spoon,

blow his or her nose, and toilet independently.

Give your child responsibility for simple jobs such as setting

the table, sorting socks, or putting away his or her toys and

belongings.

Provide your child opportunities to make decisions. What book

would you like to read? Do you want to wear your red shorts

or your blue ones?

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Good news - every child

in every family has the

power to succeed in

school and in life,

and every family

member can help!

I'mGoingToKindergarten

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