Whether
it is your first child or you have been through it before — sending
your child to kindergarten can be overwhelming. As a parent or guardian,
you want the best for your child. You want to make the best, most
informed decisions for your child, so they can successful.
“Kindergarten
is a very magical experience,” said Brittany Banister, a kindergarten
teacher at Vienna-Finley Elementary School. “My kindergarten classroom
is much like a family. Having a strong foundation of a wonderful
kindergarten experience really sets the stage for having a love of
learning and coming to school.”
The foundation that kindergarten
covers the child holistically — from socialization to character building
to the building blocks of language, math, science, social studies, and
the arts. And, the earlier you start your child’s education, the better.
“There
are many benefits of sending your child to kindergarten,” said LaKynn
McDonald, a kindergarten teacher at Scottsburg Elementary School. “In
addition to a rigorous, challenging, and fun curriculum, where students
will learn the basic skills that set the groundwork for their school
careers, students will gain essential social skills that will greatly
benefit them as they go through childhood.”
While the academics
are important, socialization and learning social norms are also critical
to a child’s success in life. In kindergarten, students learn those
techniques and methods of dealing with those soft skills —
communication, emotional intelligence, social cues, managing people,
leadership, and how they fit in the world.
“The kindergarten
classroom allows for students to collaborate and learn from the peers.
They learn to take turns speaking and to share supplies,” said Robin
Burns, a kindergarten teacher at Johnson Elementary School. “Recess
allows students to learn how to share and play with others their age. It
also provides the opportunity for students to become problem solvers by
presenting opportunities for them to resolve conflicts on their own.”
By
starting kindergarten — a safe environment with caring adults —
children can learn self-confidence, overcome shyness, and help them
transition into lasting friendships. The sooner a child starts
kindergarten, the better their social development becomes and the easier
it is for them to form skills they will use through adulthood.
“Students
are engaged throughout their entire day with activities that help
students with positive social interaction. In the classroom, students
work in small group settings, such as learning stations, where they
learn to collaborate and take turns with their peers,” McDonald said.
“Students also work in a whole group setting, where they learn speaking
and listening skills that will benefit them throughout the rest of their
lives. Recess is another important place where students learn the ins
and outs of social interactions. They learn to resolve conflicts with
others, play well with others, and how to be a good friend.”
At
Scott County School District 2, we want to help you through the process —
from answering all your questions, to how to go through the
registration process, to all the questions along the way during the
first year of kindergarten.
For more information on registering your child at Scott 2, visit our Kindergarten Registration page.