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Pre-Kindergarten

         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.] Help your child have a meaningful experience in prekindergarten:

         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 or she begins with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, he or she will have a significant advantage.

         Helping your child believe that he or she can accomplish anything will develop self-confidence and persistence. Your child will blaze new trails in order to reach his or her goals. Offering praise and encouragement will help your child 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 or her develop vocabulary for school. Encourage your child to express his or her feelings and ideas. Respond to his or her interest and excitement in learning new things, and praise your child for specific and correct answers. Talking together with an adult heightens a child's self-esteem while also improving his or her ability to express himself.

Promote Understanding
         Learning is a mixture of failures and successes, so guide your child as he or she interacts with his or her world. Your perception of how an individual learns will have a profound influence on your child. Your child 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 your child connect "book" learning with real life experiences. If your child views learning as an avenue to new discoveries, he or she 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 or her retell the story from the book in his or her own words. Ask questions to ensure that your child understands what took place in the story. Remember that children at this age have a short attention span, so select books that will engage their interest.

Be Prepared/Ready
         Sending your young child to school each day can be hectic. Start preparing the night before by teaching your child to organize his or her 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 performed at school. Let your child know that you are proud of what has been done, even if he or she has 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 or she 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 or she 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.

Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Safety Tips
         As a parent, you have an important role in shaping your children's physical activity, nutrition, and safety attitudes and behaviors. Help keep them safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Here are some things you can do. Provide opportunities for children to be active by playing with them. It is recommended that children participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Plan your children's snacks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children drink no more than two 6-ounce servings of fruit juice a day. Introduce your children to new healthy fruits and vegetables. Create a safe home and neighborhood environment. Lock up items that may harm your children, and check to see if homes your children visit have dangerous items and how they are stored.