The first year of school is always an exciting adventure for the entire family. I would like to encourage you to become involved in whatever way is possible for your family. Each family has special talents and interests to share which helps to make the class more varied than any teacher can do alone.

Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world.

In Kindergarten...

• Children are playing and working with materials or other children.
• Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as block building, pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as legos, pegboards, and puzzles. Children are not all doing the same things at the same time.
• Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
• The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and dictated stories.
• Children learn numbers, the alphabet, and how to read and write in the context of their everyday experiences.
• Exploring the natural world of plants and animals, cooking, taking attendance, and serving snack are all meaningful activities to children.
• Children work on projects and have long periods of time to play and explore.
• Filling out worksheets is not a primary kindergarten activity.
• Children have an opportunity to play outside every day that weather permits. This play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.
• Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story time.
• Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.

"Kindergarten policies: What is best for children?" Peck, McCaig, Sapp; Washington, DC: NAEYC. #141. 1996.