<img role="presentation" src="https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/cms/lib/MA01907636/Centricity/Domain/3337/k2.jpg" alt="" width="156" height="200"/></img></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://secure.smore.com/n/9kd37-kindergarten-readiness-week-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our weekly newsletter!</a></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p>Congratulations and welcome to Kindergarten in the fall. Let the countdown begin to September 4th, which is the first day of Kindergarten! We will be providing an 8-week series of summer learning and information to prepare your child for Kindergarten. This series will include fun, interactive tips, videos, and podcasts that families can use to prepare their children to start and do well in Kindergarten with some skills that have proven to be successful.</p> <p>If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Zoe Dzineku at <a href="mailto:zdzineku@lowell.k12.ma.us">zdzineku@lowell.k12.ma.us</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Week 1 - Kick Off</h2> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> It is in Kindergarten that a child becomes a student. Picture your child’s first day in Kindergarten. They may be curious, excited, frightened, or more. Let’s get them ready by playing pretend, reading, talking, coloring, and more. <a href="https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/cms/lib/MA01907636/Centricity/Domain/3337/Kindergarten%20Readiness%20Draft%20-%202024%20Final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our checklist for more information.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Let’s try this:</strong> Have your child practice writing their name daily. Before bed, have them use their fingers to write their name on your back and have them say each letter out loud. After practicing for a few weeks, ask your child to draw a picture of themselves and try signing their name. Hang it up where everyone will see it!&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Podcast:</strong> <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-725305251/parentz-pod-first-things-first-episode-5-kindergarten-readiness">https://soundcloud.com/user-725305251/parentz-pod-first-things-first-episode-5-kindergarten-readiness</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Week 2 - Establishing Routines</h2> <p>Establishing routines provides comfort and stability that help children thrive in the face of challenges. When children know what to expect, they have an easier time. Does your child have a set time to go to bed each night? When practicing routines, the benefits are infinite. We can do this! Let’s start by clicking on the link below.</p> <p><a href="https://www.pbs.org/parents/video/collection/creating-routines-with-kids?video=parenting-minutes-routines">https://www.pbs.org/parents/video/collection/creating-routines-with-kids?video=parenting-minutes-routines</a></p> <p>Remember…. Children develop at different rates and there is a huge range&nbsp;of what “normal” looks like at this age. Schools recognize that children entering kindergarten have different skill levels, and kindergarten teachers are prepared to work with children with a wide variety of skills.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Develop and practice a routine to help your child become ready for Kindergarten. For an example of a routine checklist, click on the links below.</p> <ul> <li><a href="/cms/lib/MA01907636/Centricity/Domain/3337/morning.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to help your child have a successful morning</a> (English and Spanish)<br><br/></br></li> <li><a href="/cms/lib/MA01907636/Centricity/Domain/3337/bedtime.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to help your child have a successful bedtime</a> (English and Spanish)</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Let’s try this:</strong>&nbsp;Create a schedule with your child’s input. Add things such as sleep, meals, chores, play time, snack time, reading time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Week 3 - Self-Help Skills</h2> <p>Independence and Self-help skills are important for our Kindergartners. Activities like feeding, dressing and taking care of our own toys or books are self-help skills. Self help skills are important for independent learning in Kindergarten. Let’s get them ready. Please watch the video below for more information on self-help skills.&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZLlxqjvmh-U?si=wTJoV8Xsr1JUv6ZY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Remember…. Children develop at different rates and there is a huge range of what “normal” looks like at this age. Schools recognize that children entering kindergarten have different skill levels, and kindergarten teachers are prepared to work with children with a wide variety of skills.&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0d11OyTXUWI?si=YnYtquwlbNhFJ9WQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Let’s try this:</strong> Have your child practice drinking from a cup, open a juice box and use eating utensils.</p> <p><a href="https://www.handyhandouts.com/pdf/156_SelfFeeding.pdf">https://www.handyhandouts.com/pdf/156_SelfFeeding.pdf</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Week 4 - Self Regulation</h2> <p>It is really important to understand your child’s brain and its development. This is referred to as executive function skills. Skills help them focus, remember instructions, and control themselves. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3vSDVddQ3FXYcc1Z9-e7DNU_ABVJHLppXPhpQ7R4hMLNvZA/viewform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Please sign up for the in-person workshop</a>.</p> <p><strong>READ</strong> - Mind in the Making: <a href="https://www.mindinthemaking.org/life-skills">https://www.mindinthemaking.org/life-skills</a></p> <p><strong>WATCH</strong> - Center on the Developing Child,Harvard (time 5:35 minutes): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efCq_vHUMqs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efCq_vHUMqs</a></p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/efCq_vHUMqs?si=dZ4rOKCTVf1Ceg-f" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p><strong>Let’s try this: </strong>Executive Function: Role play, and read to your child. Have your child organize their toys.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Week 5 - Following Directions</h2> <p>The ability to follow directions is a fundamental life skill that benefits children both now and in the future. Whether at home, school, the playground, or a friend's house, following directions is essential for safety. Simple actions like not wandering off in public places and holding an adult's hand when crossing the street can make a significant difference during stressful situations and emergencies.</p> <h3>Tips for Following Directions</h3> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5uwn5ufg7t0?si=nLbeKrqd2G5Rn3K6" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/soELgTIB0uU?si=JokM6f_lAENv6j3D" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.beginlearning.com/parent-resources/following-directions/">Following Directions: 10 Tips, 3 Activities for Critical Thinking</a><br><br/></br></li> <li><a href="https://adayinourshoes.com/following-directions/">Difficulty Following Instructions? 15 Ways to Increase a Child's Ability to Follow Directions</a><br><br/></br></li> <li><a href="https://www.growinghandsonkids.com/tips-for-following-directions-in-the-classroom-home.html">10 Tips for Following Directions in the Classroom &amp; Home</a></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Let’s try this:&nbsp;</strong>Play “Follow Directions” games with your child. Here is an example:</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fGG88PxtOqY?si=gQibizz0RBA6IZJ7" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Week 6 - Social Skills&nbsp;</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Research shows that children who enter kindergarten with strong social, emotional and behavioral skills have greater school success in all areas of learning.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/modules/module4/handout3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recommended Practices - Linking Social Development and Behavior to School Readiness</a></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Let's learn about social skills:&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Myf2CUx9E60?si=nZjO2jDpKaOjW67u" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>Here is some more social emotional prep for Kindergarten:&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nd3-Y4OSOWI?si=vK-qMQ4QakyBdhtn" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Week 7 - Reduction of Screen Time</h2> <p>Screen technologies can be effective tools for learning for older children, teens, and adults, but there is little evidence that screen use has benefits for babies, toddlers, and young children.</p> <p><a href="https://fairplayforkids.org/pf/eckit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-invalid="true">Screen Aware Early Childhood Action Kit</a></p> <p><a href="https://childmind.org/topics/screen-time-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Screen Time and Technology - Childmind.org</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/6-tips-to-reduce-childrens-screen-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-invalid="true">6 tips to reduce children's screen time</a></p> <p>Screens such as t.v’s., phones, and tablets, are designed to capture and hold children’s attention, which can result in overuse, behavior challenges, and exposure to harmful advertising.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/599ScqL8WfU?si=7SZ-qy5o7QG-KiZg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"/></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Let’s try this: </strong>Create screen-free zones in the home by having your child play with toys, blocks, water play, puzzles, and more.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Week 8 -&nbsp;The Wrap Up: Recap, Feedback, and Questions</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We will be holding office hours from 9am -12pm and from 4pm -6pm&nbsp; Mon - Thursday this week for any K-readiness questions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/kindergarten-readiness-resources/kindergarten-readiness-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kindergarten Readiness Resources</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://static.pbslearningmedia.org/media/media_files/e094bab4-6a44-474e-9221-143cfd84b8c7/c99d810e-8290-4928-be4e-6712ce0eb53a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-invalid="true">Kindergarten Readiness Checklist</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://static.pbslearningmedia.org/media/media_files/e094bab4-6a44-474e-9221-143cfd84b8c7/3eb1b9b5-6a56-4f54-9464-498a1697abb0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Let's Get Ready for School Activity Cards</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/parents-families/kindergarten-readiness-videos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kindergarten Readiness Videos</a></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div></fs_content>
