WHAT DO YOU WHEN YOUR 5 YEAR OLD CAN’T GO TO KINDERGARTEN?

 

With the new kindergarten entry date for Downingtown Area School District, many parents are asking this question. The good news is that Beth Israel Preschool and Kindergarten has had a FANTASTIC FIVES PROGRAM for many years.  This program is specifically designed for 5 year olds who miss the kindergarten entry date by a few months and need a challenge, and/or for those who need extra time.

 

This program gives the children time to create, socialize, learn about new themes, do science experiments, art projects and engage in cooperative projects.  This is not a repeat of the 4’s program nor is it a watered down kindergarten.  The expectation level in regard to center participation, attention span, focus on phonemic awareness and independence are concurrent with the children’s developmental stage.  We use the Handwriting without Tears Program as well as Weekly Reader Series.  The walls of the classroom are covered in artwork that the children have created.  The bulletin boards are always a cooperative effort and also display the children’s work. This extra year gives children the opportunity to build self-confidence and develop work habits that will serve them well throughout school.   This program allows for a natural progression and bridge to the kindergarten classroom.

 

If you are not sure if your child is ready for kindergarten, and are thinking that the worse case scenario will be that they spend two years in kindergarten you may want to rethink your position.  If the expectation level is higher for kindergarten than what your child is ready to do, your child is going to spend a year being frustrated, unhappy and perhaps forming a negative self-image because he/she is unable to achieve what the other students are doing.  The teacher may have to give your child a lot of verbal re-direction, which again can have a negative impact on your child.  I don’t think I have ever met a child who does not like to play, be active, create and explore and learn through projects and art.  I have met many children who find it difficult to sit in circle, are unable to complete center rotation in the allotted time,  and find it hard to wait two hours before they can have free time for 15 minutes,  These are the students who are labeled within the first few months of school.

 

We still have a few openings for the 2010-2011 school year.  To enroll in the FANTASTIC FIVES, PLEASE CALL 610-458-4300 for more information.  Children must be 5 by Dec. 30, 2010 and have completed a 4’s program.  The program meets Monday through Friday from 9:15-12:15 with extended day options as well.