August 14, 2007
What is school readiness?
According to the National Education Goals Panel, school readiness means:
- Children’s readiness to enter school;
- School’s readiness for children; and,
- Family and community supports that contribute to the readiness of children.
School readiness begins at birth and so does learning. It begins with surrounding children with stable, loving, warm and nurturing relationships. It begins with exposing children to language, sounds, colors, books, good nutrition and physical activity. It begins with equipping young children to think, play, learn, and explore the world around them. It begins with ensuring children have high-quality care and education, whether at home or in child care.
Children do better when we work together. Helping children make smooth transitions between home, child care and kindergarten is critical to their learning and future success. Parents, families, caregivers, child care providers, early childhood educators, kindergarten teachers and elementary school principals all need to work together and communicate with each other. When they do, children will do better in school and in life.
Learn more. A workshop, “Communities Working Together for School Success,” will be held in Fergus Falls on October 15 at the Bigwood Event Center, 925 Western Avenue. It is sponsored by the Mary McEvoy Lecture Series of the Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota; West Central Initiative; and the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiatives. Louise Stoney, nationally renowned child care and early childhood education policy specialist, will speak on “Smarter Reform: Beyond Single Program Solutions to an Early Care and Education System. “ The workshop also includes panel discussion with a state legislator, Minnesota Department of Education staff, a superintendent and a business representative.
Watch for more details or contact Nancy Jost at West Central Initiative at 800-735-2239 or your local Early Childhood Initiative coordinator.
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