Alberta Education - What is Kindergarten?

In 1973, Alberta Education established Early Childhood Services (ECS) to provide learning experiences that would assist in the development of the whole child:  intellectual, social, emotional, creative and physical.  ECS is the umbrella term that covers programs that provide experiences for children from 2 ½ to 4 ½ years of age & Kindergarten which is specifically geared to children who are 4 ½ to 5 ½ years old and who will be entering Grade One the following year.  All Kindergarten programs must be approved by Alberta Education and are continually monitored in terms of staff, facility and curriculum.

 

Learning Through Work & Play

Our Kindergarten program is a stimulating and happy place where your child can grow.  It is designed to help your child develop in relation to:

Himself/Herself:	Self-respect, independence, a sense of responsibility, self control and a favourable attitude towards learning.
Others:	Respect for others, mutual acceptance, ability to work as a member of a group.
Physical Development:	Large and small muscle development and coordination.
The World of Ideas:	Oral language development, curiosity, sharpening of the senses, enjoyment, creativity, persistence, interest in books, letters, words and numbers.

A good learning environment for the young child is relaxed and unhurried as s/he participates in a well balanced program of activity and quiet pursuits.  S/He has many opportunities to experiment with a wide variety of materials and equipment, to interact with others in sharing ideas and to explore his/her ever expanding world of living things (numbers, words, music, etc.).

The adult often considers the terms of work and play as opposite in meaning, but to the child they mean the same.  S/He works the hardest and learns the most at play.

The child’s greatest asset in the process of learning is his/her ability to play.  It is through his/her play that s/he manages to come to terms with the world and make it something s/he can understand and control.

 

Five Areas of Growth Taught in Our Kindergarten

1. Intellectual or Cognitive Development:
   Reading and math skill development through a variety of activities based on the Alberta Learning Curriculum.


2. Social Development:
   The capacity to enjoy relationships and get along with other people.


3. Emotional Development:
   Confidence and understanding of oneself as a person, ability to express thoughts and feelings, and ability to manage ones own behavior.


4. Creative Development:
   Dramatic play, art, musci and movement express individuality.


5. Physical Development:
   Fine motor skills such as drawing, printing, painting and cutting, and gross motor skills, such as running, jumping, climbing, balancing and skill building with gym equipment.

 

Evaluations

New Children's June Visit

The first is the New Children’s Visit in June.  Here the new children enjoy one hour with a big buddy kindergarten child.  While the children share activities and snack, the parents can communicate any concerns.  The teacher also uses this time to view the child and identify any concerns.

Home Visit

The Home Visit takes place in early September and is usually the second point of communication between the Teacher, parent and child.  If families live quite a ways from the school, the Home Visit may take place in the classroom.

FOR THE CHILD, the Home Visit enables him/her to meet the Teacher on a one to one basis, in a familiar, secure and comfortable setting, thereby reducing most anxieties about going to school.  It also helps to develop a positive bond and a better rapport with the Teacher.

FOR THE PARENTS, the Home Visit allows you and the Teacher to exchange ideas and information in an informal, relaxed setting.  It helps establish a feeling of confidentiality, trust and shared responsibilities.

FOR THE TEACHER, the Home Visit helps to establish a good rapport and a positive initial contact with the child and parent.  It promotes open communication with you, and provides an opportunity to invite you to become a part of the program in a number of ways.

Parent/Teacher Conference

The teacher will conduct an official conference at the end of November.  At this time you will receive your child’s first Report Card.

Child-Led Conference

In March, you will be invited to spend time in your child’s class to share his/her keepsakes:  Dictionary, Journal, & Memory Book

Parent/Teacher Conference

The teacher will conduct a second conference at the end of May.  At this conference, you may discuss possible scenarios for Grade One.

Communication is very important to our kindergarten and the teacher is willing to discuss concerns at any time as long as she is not teaching at that time.

 

Learning with Parents

Parents are the child’s greatest “teachers”.  Until your child comes to Kindergarten, the home environment provides the main source of learning experiences.  Together, you and the school can work towards developing certain attitudes and skills such as self-confidence, socialization, self-discipline, intellectual curiosity, creative expression, and physical skills.  You are helping your child to adjust to school when you:

• Encourage a happy attitude towards school,
• Take time to listen when your child has something to say,
• Take an interest in the work your child brings home,
• Read and tell many stories to your child,
• Enrich your child’s experiences through trips to the library, airport, etc.,
• Encourage your child to do things for himself/herself,
• Encourage your child to eat a nourishing breakfast and lunch,
• Make certain your child has sufficient sleep,
• Keep your child home when s/he is sick,
• Keep the Teacher informed about anything which will help her understand and provide for your child’s needs.
• Participate in our Kindergarten program however you can:  as a classroom volunteer, supervising on field trips, sharing a skill, bringing in materials such as books and collections to enrich the program, or provide a snack.

 

Special Education

Alberta Education states that children who attend our kindergarten must turn 5 by the end of February.  There are some exceptions that involve special educational needs and/or how many years a child has attended kindergarten.  Children from all over Calgary join our kindergarten for a year of learning and enjoyment.  Some of these children have special educational needs when they enter the program while a few are identified while they are attending our kindergarten.  These children may have mild/moderate disabilities that require some help from a Speech Language Pathologist or an Occupational Therapist.  Others have slightly more severe disabilities and will be accompanied by a Teacher Assistant who can give them the one-on-one attention that they require.  Some of these children require Program Unit Funding (PUF) or mild/moderate funding from Alberta Education.  These children are a welcome addition to our classroom and assimilate beautifully.