*Young children are concrete learners.
*Young children learn through multi-sensory involvement.
*Young children learn by experimenting and exploring.
*Young minds develop in a sequential manner.
*Young children learn by observing and interacting with peers and adults.
*Young children are empowered by solving problems and making decisions.
*Young children's self-esteem is strengthened when they experience success.
*Different children learn in different ways and in different time frames.
Differentiation is…
Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world. While kindergarten marks an important transition from preschool to the primary grades, it is important that children still get to be children -- getting kindergarteners ready for elementary school does not mean substituting academics for play time, forcing children to master first grade "skills," or relying on standardized tests to assess children’s success.
Kindergarten "curriculum" actually includes such events as snack time, recess, and individual and group activities in addition to those activities we think of as traditionally educational. Developmentally appropriate kindergarten classrooms encourage the growth of children’s self-esteem, their cultural identities, their independence and their individual strengths. Kindergarten children will continue to develop control of their own behavior through the guidance and support of warm, caring adults. At this stage, children are already eager to learn and possess an innate curiosity.
10 Signs of a Good Kindergarten Classroom:
*Young children learn through multi-sensory involvement.
*Young children learn by experimenting and exploring.
*Young minds develop in a sequential manner.
*Young children learn by observing and interacting with peers and adults.
*Young children are empowered by solving problems and making decisions.
*Young children's self-esteem is strengthened when they experience success.
*Different children learn in different ways and in different time frames.
Differentiation is…
- Having high expectations for all students
- Adjustment of the core content
- Assigning activities geared to different learning styles, interests, and levels of thinking
- Providing students with choices about what and how they learn
- Flexible because teachers move students in and out of groups based upon students' instructional needs
- Acknowledgment of individual needs
- Articulated, high level goals reflecting continuous progress
- Assessment to determine student growth and new needs
- Adjustment of curriculum by complexity, breadth, and rate
- Educational experiences which extend, replace, or supplement standard curriculum
- Individual learning plans for each student
- More problems, questions, or assignments
- Get it on your own
- Recreational reading
- Independent reading without curriculum connections
- Free time to draw or practice your talent
- Cooperative learning groups where the gifted kid gets to be the leader
- Activities that all students will be able to do
- Interest centers unless linked to core content and at a complex level
Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world. While kindergarten marks an important transition from preschool to the primary grades, it is important that children still get to be children -- getting kindergarteners ready for elementary school does not mean substituting academics for play time, forcing children to master first grade "skills," or relying on standardized tests to assess children’s success.
Kindergarten "curriculum" actually includes such events as snack time, recess, and individual and group activities in addition to those activities we think of as traditionally educational. Developmentally appropriate kindergarten classrooms encourage the growth of children’s self-esteem, their cultural identities, their independence and their individual strengths. Kindergarten children will continue to develop control of their own behavior through the guidance and support of warm, caring adults. At this stage, children are already eager to learn and possess an innate curiosity.
10 Signs of a Good Kindergarten Classroom:
- Children are playing and working with materials or other children.
- Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as block building, pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as legos, pegboards, and puzzles. Children are not all doing the same things at the same time.
- Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
- Children’s original artwork, writing with invented spelling, and dictated stories appear in the classroom.
- Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. Exploring the natural world of plants and animals, cooking, taking attendance, and serving snack are all meaningful activities to children.
- Children work on projects and have time to play and explore.
- Children have an opportunity to play outside every day that weather permits.
- Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story time.
- Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
- Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel safe sending their child to kindergarten.