It’s almost the start of a new school year, and whether you are back to school experts or back to school first timers, getting ready for kindergarten is a big (and sometimes scary) change – for the adults, and for the kids.
That’s why, in 2005, Katie Davis – the author of Kindergarten Rocks! – designated August as National Getting Ready for Kindergarten Month. The purpose of National Getting Ready for Kindergarten Month is to help families feel prepared to start kindergarten.
Because kindergarten is a child’s first step in education, it plays an important role. When kindergarten was first created in Germany in 1837 by Friedrich Froebel, it was meant to get kids used to school activities and expectations. Friedrich emphasized play-based learning, child development, social skills, and motor skills.
Today’s kindergarten isn’t that different from Friedrich’s version. Kindergarten still teaches kids about school activities and expectations, but today’s kids are expected to know a little more than in the past.
National Get Ready for Kindergarten Month is a great chance for families to prepare for kindergarten together. During August, families are encouraged to create routines (like bedtimes, school-day preparation, getting dressed), practice basic counting, reading, and writing, visit your kid’s school, classroom, and teacher, and read together.
Do you want to get your kid interested in reading? Come to DeKalb Public Library to register your kid for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. This program helps encourage parent and child bonding through reading, while winning certificates for every milestone reached!
It’s never too late to get a jump-start on kindergarten! Here are some Kindergarten stories to get you started:
- Monkey: Not ready for kindergarten by Marc Tolon Brown
- Kindergarten is cool! By Linda Elovitz Marshall.
- On the first day of kindergarten by Tish Rabe
- Amanda Panda quits kindergarten by Candice F. Ransom
- Bright and Brainy Kindergarten Learning : Core Learning Activities for Reading, Writing and Mathematics
Give us a call at 815-756-9568 ext. 3350 if you have any questions or if you’d like to place a hold on one of these fun books!
