September Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Welcome Metro Schools Families!

We hope your family is having a good experience connecting with your child’s teacher. The first weeks of school can be exciting for children, and for some children it may take time to get used to a new routine or learning environment.

In this newsletter, we provide tips on creating a healthy routine to support your child’s transition to Pre-K. Also, if you need additional supports for your child, please connect with your child’s MNPS Pre-K teacher.

Learning at Home

Each month this section will feature a recommended book and activity for families.

Reading is fun at any age! Most of our Pre-K students are being exposed to books either when they are listening to their teacher during large group or picking up a book to look at in classroom centers. A fun book about the alphabet and letter recognition is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin.

When you read the book with your child – have fun with it! Feel free to read or sing the book. When you start the book, point out the letters in the book title. As you read, encourage your child to point out the letters in their name.

Activity: Fun with Words

The next time you are waiting in line at the store or in the car, sing with your child. Have fun with the ABCs! Sing soft, loud, slow, fast, etc.

Important Dates

• September 1: Labor Day observed (District closed)
• October 7: Stockpiled PD Day (Students do not report)
• October 10: Stockpiled PD Day (Students do not report)
• October 13-17: Fall Break Holiday
• October 31: Parent Conference Day (Students do not report)

Family Connect

Each month this section will feature information or resources to support families.

Pre-K allows students to learn through play! MNPS students are learning through hands on experiences. District wide, most Pre-K classes use a
curriculum called The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool. The curriculum focuses on all the areas that are most important for school success:

• Social-Emotional
• Cognitive
• Math
• Literacy
• Physical
• Language
• Social Sciences
• Science/Technology
• The Arts

These concepts are built into every activity that happens in the classroom, from building blocks to playing pretend, which means that everything teachers do with your child during the day focuses on building skills and knowledge in these important areas.

If you would like to learn more about your child’s curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher.

Pre-K Building Blocks

Each month this section will feature information or a tip to support Pre-K families.

Creating a healthy routine can really support your child’s first year in school. Here are few ways you can build your routine:

• Try to have your child go to bed at the same time each night. At least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is recommended, per night.
• Work on a daily schedule for your child. It may help to create a visual schedule for your child and review it each morning with them. For example, when you list breakfast, draw, or paste a picture of a cereal box.
• Create a daily ritual when you leave him/her to go to work or run an errand, “I love you and will be back this afternoon” to give your child an indicator of time and that you will be back. If it’s on a school day, say you will be back after their classroom’s closing circle.

Kindergarten Readiness Tips

Pre-K students are sometimes eager to start writing, and that’s a great opportunity to encourage your child to feel comfortable with learning how to write. Here are a few tips to support your child:

• Provide your child with crayons and plenty of paper to try to write.
• When you make your next market list, write it out with your child.
• If your child is curious about a word, write it down and encourage your child to copy the word based on sight.
• Don’t worry if the letters are not perfect or the spelling is incorrect. They’re learning!

Early Literacy Development

Reading with your child can be fun for both you and your child! It’s a time not only for you to both enjoy a book, it’s also an opportunity
for you both to be creative. The next time you read with your child, consider these fun ways to read:

• Read Together Daily: Find a special time to read together, perhaps after dinner or at bedtime.
• Have Fun When You Read: Feel free to use expression when you read. Consider using a loud voice, a high pitch voice or make funny noises if needed in the story. Have fun with the book and so will your child!
• Check Your Reading Temperature: If you notice your child is not paying attention when you read together – it’s okay. It’s a good opportunity to either select another book or work with your child to create and tell their own story.
• Also, don’t forget to include younger or older siblings - great opportunity for the whole family to participate in a good book.