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Dear Parents:
The Department of
Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is committed to providing the
highest quality of education to its students. One way to provide
a quality education is with an effective curriculum that reflects
high standards and expectations. Thus, DoDEA has developed rigorous
content standards aligned with national guidelines and standards.
But even the most rigorous standards cannot make schools and students
successful without the support of parents.
This booklet is
designed to inform you, our parents, of DoDEA's expectations
for students in the four major curriculum areas-reading and
writing, mathematics, science, and social studies-at the prekindergarten
grade level. These expectations are aligned with the prekindergarten
curriculum that is used by the classroom teacher for daily instruction.
The booklet provides examples of what your child is learning in
the classroom, and what he should know and be able to do upon exiting
prekindergarten. Finally, it provides suggestions and tips on how
you can help him meet the standards at home.
I hope this publication
is informative and assists you with understanding DoDEA's educational
goals for your child in prekindergarten. Working together, we can
ensure your child's success and start him down the path to
life-long learning.
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Welcome to Prekindergarten
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A
child brings much experience and knowledge learned at home to the
first day of school. This experience and knowledge, combined with
a natural curiosity and interest, are the foundations of school
learning.
No doubt you've
heard standards mentioned when people talk about education and what
children should know at each grade level. The Department of Defense
Education Activity (DoDEA) has developed standards-a set of
clear expectations-to use as a basis for teaching your child.
These standards are based on how children learn and what they need
to know. They set high levels of learning and performance for all
students from preschool through grade 12. The prekindergarten level
standards are based on developmentally appropriate practices, which
means that all class activities and lessons
(or practices) are appropriate for your child's developmental level.
Basically, all children
follow the same development pattern (e.g., they learn to
crawl before they learn to walk),
but they have different growth rates (e.g., one may talk at age two,
one at age three). In DoDEA, your child is viewed as an individual
with a uniquely-timed growth pattern. Both the lessons-the curriculum-and
adult interactions with prekindergarten students are aligned with
the developmental level of each child. All programs reflect a safe
and nurturing environment that encourages a child's physical,
social, emotional, intellectual, and language development. The learning
experiences are meaningful and relevant, helping children make connections
between what is being taught and their own life and experiences. Thus,
when you come into a DoDEA early childhood. classroom, you'll
see teachers using familiar objects and conducting activities similar
to those you do at home. Making a connection between school learning
and home helps a child accept the challenges of learning new information.
An essential part
of early development depends upon a child's opportunity to
be involved with his environment. Children need to explore, investigate,
and respond to a variety of materials provided in their classrooms
and in their home environment. DoDEA's Sure Start, Preschool
Services for Children with Disabilities, and preschool programs
are based on an interactive, interest-based approach. The DoDEA
standards are embedded in the activities of prekindergarten classroom
centers such as Computers, Dramatic Play, Toys and Games, Sand and
Water, Library, Outdoors, Music and Movement, Cooking, Discovery
Science, and Art and Construction. Children choose the interest
areas in which they would like to "work" each day. They
are encouraged to explore the materials on their own, with teachers
interacting with them in a natural way by asking open-ended questions
to expand their knowledge.
As a parent, understanding
the expectations for a grade level provides you with a "road
map" to help you measure your child's progress in school,
and to supplement the curriculum with additional activities at home
when needed. An environment where parents and teachers work together-that's
where children learn best!
[Note: This booklet reflects only some
of DoDEA's content standards in the major academic areas.
The complete standards for prekindergarten can be viewed on
DoDEA's website, www.dodea.edu.]
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Help
Your Child Have a Meaningful Experience in Prekindergarten
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Your child will enter school with the basic foundation for learning.
The more skills your child has upon entering school, the easier
school will be. If he begins with a positive attitude and a willingness
to learn, he will have a significant advantage.
Helping your child
believe that he can accomplish anything will develop self-confidence
and persistence. He will blaze new trails in order to reach his
goals. Offering praise and encouragement will help him reach new
heights despite obstacles. As a parent, you are your child's
most important role model. Put into practice the belief that education
is a life-long process where you, as the adult and parent, continue
to broaden your own horizons through learning experiences.
Take Time
Attitudes develop
from an early age. The most effective way to encourage learning
is to show your child that it's fun and interesting. Play games
on a regular basis. Take trips to the zoo, library, and museums
to show that you, too, are interested in learning more about the
world. A child with parents who have a high respect for learning
and education is likely to develop a positive attitude toward school.
Talk Together
Speaking and listening
are to reading and writing what walking is to running. Children
who do not have a large and flowing vocabulary will have difficulty
with every aspect of reading and writing. It is most important at
this early stage of your child's development for you to take
advantage of the natural opportunities for learning that come up
daily. For example, talk frequently with your child, helping him
develop vocabulary for school. Encourage your child to express his
feelings and ideas. Respond to his interest and excitement in learning
new things, and praise him for specific and correct answers. Talking
together with an adult heightens a child's self-esteem while
also improving his ability to express himself.
Promote Understanding
Learning is a mixture
of failures and successes, so guide your child as he interacts with
his world. Your perception of how an individual learns will have
a profound influence on your child. He will learn to accept success
and failure by observing how you respond to your own successes and
failures. Remaining positive when encountering challenges will model
the appropriate coping skills for learning and life.
Encourage Curiosity
Create a rich learning
environment by taking your child to interesting and stimulating
places such as museums, historical sites, state and national landmarks,
and other locations that will help him connect "book"
learning with real life experiences. If he views learning as an
avenue to new discoveries, he will more likely be successful in
school. Practical experiences with clocks, calendars, money, and
numbers link academic learning to the real world.
Read Aloud
Read aloud to your
child. Talk about what you've read. Start with simple books
that have no more than a few words on each page and pictures that
go with the words. As your child becomes familiar with the reading
process (e.g., left-to-right progression; ideas are expressed through
words), let him retell the story from the book in his own words.
Ask questions to ensure that he understands what took place in the
story. Remember that children at this age have a short attention
span, so select books that will engage his interest.
Be Prepared/Ready
Sending your young
child to school each day can be hectic. Start preparing the night
before by teaching him to organize his clothes and school materials
for the next morning. Having a good night's sleep and a good
breakfast will help your child be prepared for a day at school.
Review Schoolwork
Ask your child to
share the work he performed at school. Let him know that you are
proud of what he's done, even if he's made some mistakes.
At this young age it is most important to encourage children to
take risks and understand that learning also happens when we make
mistakes.
Stay Involved
If your child views
learning as an avenue to new discoveries, he will more likely be successful
in school. Your participation and interest in your child's education
will help. Stay involved in the school community by volunteering in
parent organizations or other school-sponsored activities. Take an
active role in parent-teacher conferences or "parent nights"
by asking questions, reviewing materials, and sharing thoughts about
your child's education and academic progress.
Provide Opportunities on the Computer
Give your child
the opportunity to practice on your home computer. As he works on
the computer, use words that name the computer equipment, e.g.,
the monitor, the mouse, the disk drive. There are many computer
games and programs that reinforce the learning of numbers and letters.
These games also challenge children to learn about new subjects
and particular topics. Be sure, however, to preview computer programs
and games beforehand to ensure that they are appropriate for the
prekindergarten age group.
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