Ellesmere-Statton-Welcome To Kindergarten-2020/2021

Getting Ready!

Kindergarten Hours:

Morning Entry : 9:15

Lunch Dismissal : 12:00

Afternoon Entry : 1:00

Afternoon Dismissal : 3:45

what your child will need to bring:

A regular sized backpack that will fit a lunchbag, and a library book. Please label it with your child's name.

A pair of rubber-soled slip-on or velcro-closure running shoes, which will be kept at school. Please label both shoes with your child's name.

A full set of extra clothes (e.g., underwear, socks, shirt, and bottoms-appropriate for the season) in a plastic bag, labelled with your child's name are encouraged to support the diverse learning that will support the learning happening indoors and outdoors. Outdoor clothes appropriate for the weather to engage in outdoor exploration.

A lunch bag consisting of nut-free enjoyable snacks that are going to maintain dietary and nutrional needs for your child throughout the day. If your child is staying for lunch please also pack a nut-free lunch. Please label the lunch bag, and all reusable food containers with your child's name.

Water in a refillable, spill-proof container. Please label the container with your child's name.

how to help your child prepare for the transition to kindergarten:

How ready is my child for school?

That’s a question many parents ask. Your child already has many skills. Does your child:

Know the difference between him or herself and others, between family and strangers?
Grasp the connection between cause and effect?
Understand and can express spatial relationships (Up from down, in from out, front from back)?
Use the grammar of your first language and has a large vocabulary of words?

Your child will build on these skills during the early years of school.

A few activity ideas you can do with your child now:

Language, reading and writing development

Print and identify the letters in his or her name (First letter should be capitalized).
Make reading a regular part of your day. Your reading time doesn’t have to be long—5 to 10 minutes each day is great.
Talk with your child about things you see. Conversations in your first language or in English build strong oral communication skills.

Math development

Count and recognize numbers to 10.
Practice printing numbers to 10.
Play a guessing game. Put buttons or any small objects in a small jar. Have everyone in the family guess how many items are in the jar, then count them and give a prize to the winner.
Create a picture telephone book with your child. Put a picture of the people your child phones regularly—grandparents, friends—on a piece of paper with their phone number. Your child can use a toy phone to “call” them when it’s not possible to really telephone them.

Supportimg independence by having him or her

Do up buttons and zippers.
Dress independently.
Pack his or her own backpack.
Open snack and lunch containers independently.
Eat independently.
Tidy up his or her toys when done playing.
Wash his or her hands for at least 20 seconds (Sing the alphabet song).
Complete washroom routines on his or her own (I.e., using toilet paper, wiping the seat if necessary, flushing, hand washing, etc.)
Cough into the crease of his or her elbow.
Blow and wipe his or her own nose with a tissue.

Help your child by understanding and practicing the steps involved in listening

Stop what you are doing.
Look at the person who is speaking.
Don’t talk or move around when the person is speaking.
Think about what the person is saying.

Dress for (kindergarten) success
Consider the following for the ideal wardrobe for “Power learning”:

In the course of an average kindergarten class, your child will jump, run, walk, bounce, stretch, crouch, bend and sit in a chair or on the floor. Kindergarten children learn best when they explore, discover and experiment—in other words, get messy.

Choose clothes and footwear that will be comfortable during all of these activities.
Choose clothes, jackets, shoes and boots that are easy to put on, take off and fasten.

Outdoor play is an important part of the kindergarten program.