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DOCUMENT RESUME PS 025 720 ED 410 040 TITLE Kindergarten in Alberta: A Handbook for Parents. INSTITUTION Alberta Dept. of Education, Edmonton. REPORT NO ISBN-0-7732-5204-5 PUB DATE 97 45p.; For other handbooks in the "Curriculum Handbooks for NOTE Parents" series, see PS 025 721-729. AVAILABLE FROM Learning Resources Distributing Centre, 12360-142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 4X9, Canada; phone: 403-427-2767; fax: 403-422-9750; www: http://ednet.edc.gov.ab.ca PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom (055) MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTORS Art Education; *Child Development; Classroom Environment; Environmental Education; Foreign Countries; Grade 1; *Kindergarten; Kindergarten Children; Language Arts; Mathematics; *Parent Participation; Physical Education; Primary Education; School Readiness; Social Responsibility; Special Needs Students; Student Evaluation; Transitional Programs; Young Children Alberta IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT Kindergarten marks a new beginning for parent and child, and presents challenges for parents as their child makes the transition from home to school. This handbook provides a description of what parents can expect of their child's kindergarten program in Alberta, Canada. It describes how young children learn, how learning is assessed, and how parents can be involved. "What are young children like?"; "What do children Sections include: (1) (2) learn in Kindergarten?"; "How do young children learn?"; "What will (4) (3) you see in the Kindergarten area?"; "How and why is children's learning (5) "Some children have special needs. How will assessed in Kindergarten?"; (6) the Kindergarten program meet these needs?"; "How will the Kindergarten (7) program help prepare children for Grade 1?"; "How can parents be (8) "Questions parents may want to ask the teacher." The involved?"; and (9) handbook concludes with a one-page questionnaire asking for feedback on the handbook. (LPP) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) >It This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization O originating it. .zr Minor changes have been made to O improve reproduction quality. O Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. indergarten In fe bale 41914 %O. atm. ,10.. oho Mg tab berta"-*C--,mk A Handbook For Parents 1997 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL Alberta HAS BEEN GRANTED BY C R.v\6a-42u.).5 . EDUCATION TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) BEST COPY AVAILA3LE2 A Handbook For Parents ALBERTA EDUCATION CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA Alberta. Alberta education. Kindergarten in Alberta : a handbook for parents. Available on Internet, URL: http://ednet.edc.gov.ab.ca ISBN 0-7732-5204-5 1. KindergartenAlbertaHandbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Education, PreschoolAlberta. I. Title. LB1242.A3.A333 1997 372.218 Copyright ©1997, the Crown in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Education. Alberta Education, 11160 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K OL2. All rights reserved. Additional copies may be purchased from the Learning Resources Distributing Centre, 12360 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 4X9, Telephone 403-427-2767, Fax 403-422-9750. Outside Edmonton call toll free 403-310-0000. indergarten in Alberta Table of Contents iv Message from the Minister of Education 1 Welcome to Kindergarten 3 What is Kindergarten in Alberta? 5 What are young children like? 6 Social Development 7 Physical Development 8 Intellectual Development 9 Creative Development 10 Emotional Development 11 What do children learn in Kindergarten? 13 Language Arts 13 Mathematics 14 Community and Environmental Awareness 15 Personal and Social Responsibility 16 Physical Skills and Well-being 16 Creative and Cultural Expression 17 How do young children learn? 18 What will you see in the Kindergarten area? 25 Kindergarten? How and why is children's learning assessed in Kindergarten program meet Some children have special needs. How will the 27 these needs? 29 children for Grade 1? How will the Kindergarten program help prepare 30 How can parents be involved? 32 At school 33 At home 35 After the Kindergarten day 35 Parent resources 36 Questions parents may want to ask the teacher 39 Feedback iu Message from the Minister of Education Kindergarten marks a new beginning for you and your child. It is a time for new discoveries and challenges: as your child makes the transition from home to school, and as you meet and work with the people who are partners in your child's education. 4 4' Kindergarten in Alberta: A Handbook for Parents, provides a clear, concise description of what you can expect of your child's kindergarten program. This handbook describes how young children learn, how learning is assessed and how you can be involved. It is important to remember that each child is different and will learn and achieve at different rates in different areas. This handbook is part of the Curriculum Handbooks for Parents series. Many teachers and parents contributed to the review of this handbook. My thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in producing a valuable resource. Gary G. Mar, Q.C. Minister of Education iv elcome to Kindergarten . . . Entering Kindergarten is an exciting time for every child. Moving from the home environment to the school environment is a rite of passage. Both parents and teachers want this transition to be as smooth as possible. The teacher welcomes the children into the program and gently introduces them to the Kindergarten environment. Orientations help become acquainted everyone feel at ease. The children are given time to with each other and with classroom activities and materials. Gradually, children gain a sense of belonging because they know the routines and school layout. There are many new adult faces at Kindergarten! Children may meet and talk with the principal, custodians, secretaries, librarians, teacher assistants, community nurses, dental hygienists, teachers of other grades, community volunteers and other children's parents. Social development is enhanced through this broad interaction with adults and children in the school. In some Kindergarten programs, a teacher assistant helps with and supports the delivery of the program. In special needs or language programs, the assistant has a more specialized role. All schools make the safety of every child a top priority. Because Kindergarten children are new to the school environment, extra care is taken to ensure their safety. If Kindergarten children participate in school recess, teachers help them until they become independent. Children are supervised during each recess, and safe play is encouraged. ReCess provides a good opportunity for Kindergarten children to learn to be with children of different ages. The school keeps parents informed about arrival and departure procedures. In turn, parents should advise the school of special circumstances or changes in regular routines. School staff ensures that the children are safe as they get on and off school buses. 2 hat is Kindergarten in Alberta? participate in Kindergarten or In Alberta, parents decide if their child will under 6 years of age, as of other programs provided for children who are September 1. Most children enter the Kindergarten program one year the policies for age before entry into Grade 1. (The local school board sets be enrolled in an of entry to Grade 1.) Children with special needs may ECS program at an earlier age. Services) are often The terms Kindergarten and ECS (Early Childhood refers specifically to the used interchangeably. However, "Kindergarten" the broad coordinated education program for children, and "ECS" refers to the developmental and system of local and provincial programs to meet Kindergarten special needs of young children and their families. The Early Childhood Services. program is an important part of following beliefs The Kindergarten program in Alberta is based on the home and community relating to young children, their learning, and their environments. The Children develop through similar stages but at individual rates. Kindergarten program provides learning experiences that meet levels. individual and group needs, interests and developmental needs to help Additional support is provided to children with special them increase their potential for learning. learn. They benefit Young children are naturally curious and eager to including children from developing positive relationships with others, provides opportunities of their own age. The Kindergarten program through organized for children to learn about their environment others. activities, purposeful play and cooperation with 9 Parents are their children's first and most important teachers and play a central role in the lives of their children. The program supports and respects the dignity and worth of the family and encourages parents to participate in their children's education. The Kindergarten program plays a role in the coordination of community services for young children and their families. Kindergarten programs are operated either by a school board, in a similar way to programs for Grade 1 to Grade 12, or by an ECS private operator. A private operator is a nonprofit society, with an elected board of parents and community members. Children enter Kindergarten in a variety of settings in Alberta, including schools, community facilities and day care centres. Some Kindergarten classes are totally separate from other classes, others are part of an elementary school (Kindergarten to Grade 6) and a few are members of a whole school community (Kindergarten to Grade 12). 10 4