Children and families preparing for kindergarten next year are encouraged to attend orientation sessions at Island schools this spring, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
“Welcome to Kindergarten™ sessions are a great way for students and families to find out exactly what kindergarten will be like,” said Minister Currie. “Parents and children can meet their teacher, learn about school bus safety and receive helpful tips to prepare five-year-olds for success in school.”
Welcome to Kindergarten™ was introduced in Prince Edward Island in 2009. The program was developed by The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a strong public education system in Canada. Pre-school children and their families receive resources to begin their formal education with a foundation in early learning. The goal is to ensure students are as prepared as they can be coming into the school system.
“Welcome to Kindergarten™ is a great way to introduce parents to the school community,” said BJ Willis, program coordinator for Welcome to Kindergarten™. “The program encourages parents and caregivers to become involved in their child’s school experience and provides students with resources to prepare for a formal education. The orientation provides a solid foundation for children and it also encourages lifelong learning.”
Parents, caregivers and children are encouraged to attend Welcome to Kindergarten™ workshops at their school this spring. Participants will receive early learning resources in the Welcome to Kindergarten™ Bag and also learn how family-planned activities can enhance learning.
“Kindergarten was officially welcomed into the Prince Edward Island school system in September 2010 and it has proven to be a very positive experience for approximately 1,400 five-year-old children and their families,” said Minister Currie. “Our students now have greater access to educational resources in classrooms at an earlier age. I encourage all parents and children to learn more about kindergarten prior to starting class in the fall.”
For more information on the Welcome to Kindergarten™ program, visit the website at www.thelearningpartnership.ca or contact your child’s school.