As kindergarten curriculum standards continue to rise across the
state, many parents are concerned about their children being
prepared, and some county schools are offering ways to help.
As kindergarten curriculum standards continue to rise across the state, many parents are concerned about their children being prepared, and some county schools are offering ways to help.
“There seems to be a real demand in this county, and actually statewide for kindergarten readiness,” said Trish Brem, director of the Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool. “Some children are being re-evaluated by their parents that they’re not quite ready to go to kindergarten.”
The Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool, as well as Sacred Heart and Spring Grove schools offer transitional kindergarten classes. The classes are designed to help students, who may be young for their class, or need more time to develop their social and developmental skills to be ready for kindergarten, Brem said.
“There has been more pressure put on these students,” she said. “We’re seeing a trend of goals they were suppose to achieve by the end of the school year now being expected at the beginning.”
During the past few years, curriculum standards that were once part of first-grade have become expected for kindergartners, according to the California Department of Education (CDE). Before exiting kindergarten, students are expected to write their names, recite short poems and tie their shoes, according to the CDE.
Ladd Lane Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jan Warney said because of the emphasis on academics, kindergartners are getting less time to develop their social skills in class, and the transitional schools help prepare them developmentally.
“These classes help students so much,” she said. “Especially those who aren’t five yet. It helps them come into kindergarten with some of the skills that will help them understand what they’re learning, like knowing their letters, and it helps with their attention span. I can tell right when they walk through the door, which students have been to pre-school and which have not.”
Learning to pay attention is important for students who will be attending Hollister School District (HSD) schools, Warney said. After making cuts to fix its $2 million budget deficit in June, HSD chose to implement a new kindergarten plan, which for 89 minutes of the day, 32 students are with one teacher and one teacher’s aide, studying social studies, science, fine arts and physical education.
“I think there is a need now more than ever for kindergarten readiness,” Brem said.
Helen Beasley’s son Bryce attended the Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool’s transitional class called “Another Year to Grow,” and because of his success, she’s planning for her younger son Chase to attend as well.
“For some kids, depending on their age or development, they’re just not emotionally ready for kindergarten right away,” she said. “This class grouped the students by their needs and made sure every child came out with what they needed.”
