Some things are better old fashioned!

The curriculum today has reached so many different heights and the kindergarten program has progressed into something so advanced compared to what it was when I was school! Just the introduction of full day kindergarten has had so many advantages and has made school something that children are truly a part of and interested in!

Play based has evolved and created so many opportunities for ECEs, teachers and most importantly students! Students are interested in what they are learning. They are working collaboratively with the educators to create a classroom environment full of inquiry and knowledge! It is a great team work that has had many positive impacts. However, it is important for us as educators to see that there are milestones that the children have to remember to work towards so that they are intact ready for school!

An example of this is writing and alphabet! It is important for children to be exploring and inquiring about the world but it is also crucial for them to have a solid understanding of their alphabet and to improve their writing skills. The expectations have begun to raise for grade one students in terms of their writing because of the FDK program! Students are expected to write sentences, know their alphabet and sounds and writing skills when they get to grade one. Students learn and develop at different paces, of course that is a given, however sometimes that turn back to the traditional "sit and write your letters" is needed in an FDK environment to get children to develop and master the letter and writing skills! The students will always continue to inquire and play but they need the structure at times to sit and write their lower and upper cases and learn the proper punctuation when writing a sentence. How does that come? practice, practice, practice! children need repetition! and letters are a good reason for kids to buckle down and get writing ! :)

Here are some writing tips for parents!

Parents 101