36 THE QUEENS COURIER • BACK TO SCHOOL • AUGUST 10, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
back to school
Kindergarten is the new 1st grade: Is your preschooler ready?
When you think back to your own
kindergarten experience, it probably
involved a half-day program and plenty
of fun activities - fi nger painting, sand
play and nap time. Likely the hardest
parts were learning the alphabet and
counting to 100.
Fast forward to today. While kindergarten
still off ers a fun learning environment,
it’s certainly more focused on academic
achievement. Kindergartners oft en
know the alphabet and have solid counting
skills prior to the fi rst day of school.
If students aren’t reading at the beginning
of the school year, they’re certainly
expected to be doing so by the end.
“Kindergarten is the new fi rst grade”
isn’t just an anecdote, it’s a fact. New
research from the University of Virginia
compares kindergarten and fi rst-grade
classrooms between 1998 and 2010, fi nding
that kindergarten classes have become
increasingly like fi rst grade, with more
time spent on academic instruction and,
ultimately, higher educational expectations.
Each year an estimated 4 million children
enter kindergarten. To help pre-K
kids improve core learning skills and get
them excited about school, it’s important
to fi nd fun, age-appropriate ways to
help them learn. Consider these expert
ideas for preparing kids ages 3-6 for kindergarten.
Educational apps
Children today have a natural knack
for technology. While it’s important to
monitor and balance screen time, the
right technology can help educate kids.
Preschool Academy by IntellectoKids is
an ideal example. With over 50 educational
activities in one app, kids will learn
the alphabet and develop important skills
like counting, sorting, logic and critical
thinking - the foundations for math and
reading. Best yet, the learning is rooted
in amusing animated puzzles about musical
instruments, fun train adventures or
whimsical letter/number games.
Th is educational app allows parents
to customize for multiple children and
select between three levels, increasing
in diffi culty as they play and learn. Like
Preschool Academy, the best learning
games are constantly adding fresh new
learning activities and are always free of
ads or hidden in-app purchases.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills, also known as dexterity,
involve the coordination and control
of muscles to create small movements.
Th is usually requires hand-eye coordination
as well. Being prepared for kindergarten
means having a basic ability to
complete fi ne motor actions like holding
a pencil correctly, tying shoes and sorting
small objects.
One of the easiest ways to support your
child’s fi ne motor development is by providing
lots of opportunities to color and
write. Make crayons and paper readily
available and let kids’ imaginations
take off . As they try to draw a bird, write
a story or create patterns, they are really
preparing themselves for the classroom.
Reading and conversation
Language is a heavy focus throughout
the kindergarten curriculum. One way
to prepare your child is to make reading
a daily activity, including classics like
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” “Harold
& the Purple Crayon” or “Don’t Let the
Pigeon Drive the Bus.” Fostering a love
of books can set the stage for learning
important reading skills. Visit your local
library, stock your bookshelf and download
digital books.
Additionally, make time for genuine
conversation with your child. Both reading
and speaking help children expand
their knowledge of the English language.
Th ey’ll also learn important social skills,
and you’ll also fi nd yourself developing a
deeper bond with your little one.
Preschool
Want kids to be prepared for kindergarten?
Enroll in preschool a few days
a week. Th is experience gives children
the perfect foundation to prepare them
for their educational journey. Preschools
provide introductory education in writing
and math, but it’s a lot of fun, too.
Students have plenty of time to play and
learn about the world around them.
What’s more, kids learn proper social
etiquette and how to follow classroom
rules. Being able to sit still, listen to the
teacher, raise a hand to ask a question
and interact respectably among peers are
all important skills that kids will need in
order to thrive in an academic environment.
If preschool isn’t possible, consider
joining a playgroup or visiting the library
for story time, and encourage social interaction
with new kids at the playground.
Knowing that kindergarten is more
challenging than ever, smart parents are
taking charge by introducing age-appropriate
educational activities now. From
smart apps like IntellectoKids Preschool
Academy to reading every day, you’re
helping build the brain power that leads
to success in kindergarten and beyond.
Courtesy BPT
While it’s important to balance screen time, the righttechnology can help preschoolers get ready for kindergarten.