That the Ministry of Education believed that one way to help families become comfortable and prepared for the entry to school is to offer a free program for families of under 5years old right in the school. Enlarge their community to the early years.
A few of the benefits were obvious in the last couple of days.
Our school music teacher and I were talking about learning to play the ukulele, which we are both doing. The teacher mentioned that the school had a set of ukuleles and we were welcome to borrow them (something an early years program can't usually afford). What fun was had playing music.
And then again this morning - discovering what they are,
learning to hold it,
and discovering it's parts.
Strumming and learning with our grownups.
We buddy up with a grade 3 class to read, play games and share stories.
We use the library and the gym. Right now for about 3 weeks our school has a turn with the gymnastic equipment. Every day during our gym time we climb, balance, roll, go under, go over, jump, land and run.
We learn to take turns and help each other.
Our school community was also there when one of little ones hurt her arm. The school first aid attendant was right there to check her over. And even later one of the kindergarten parents who is also an Emergency Room nurse reassured the mom that the arm was fine.
These are just a few benefits.
Maureen- we are also located within an elementary school- and I agree that it makes for a very nice transition for children going on to kindergarten! We actually have 5 preschool classrooms in the building along with 2 sections each of kindergarten-5th grade! Our children are very much at ease with the elementary teachers and the office and when they are ready for kindergarten simply move several doors down to the kindergarten rooms! :) (not all of our children attend this school, but we still have seen a great ease with the transition no matter where they go!)
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