Kindergarten is the start of an exciting adventure, an adventure full of promise. In the early years, personalized attention can make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. And that is what sets Calgary Board of Education early learning programs apart from the rest. At the CBE, we understand that children bring their own unique talents and gifts to their learning experience.
On my son’s first day of Kindergarten, I hid behind a pine tree to spy on him during the first recess. I wanted to make sure he found other children to play with and that he would line up with his class when it was time to go back inside. I stood there for 20 minutes peeking out from behind the tree and chatting with other parents who were doing the same thing.
For many parents, Kindergarten signals a major milestone from the all-consuming baby and toddler years. Suddenly, your ‘baby’ is expected to make more choices on their own, stay focused over a longer period of time, learn new skills and navigate a social circle with less oversight from you. Plan ahead to pave the road to a happier Kindergarten kick-off for all.
Your child may be turning five before your school's deadline, but chronological age should not be the sole determinant of whether he is ready for Kindergarten. It's a huge leap from preschool, day care or the home setting to Kindergarten, with its longer, more structured day, larger class or group size and focus shift from play to academics.
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