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bnlred
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
quote:
trueurbanite wrote:
Signed up my younger son for prek. (I put this is in the K thread because prek is to get them ready for K.)
He really wants to go. He says he wants to be a big boy like his brother. My heart always tugs thinking that. They're in such a hurry to grow up and do things. The program is only 1/2 day, but I know will do wonders for him.
Awww, how cute wanting to be like his big brother!  I think pre-k programs are wonderful, provided you find a good one, and nowadays they almost expect that children will have gone to pre-school to start the learning process. He'll do great I bet with big bro as a role model 
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Jun/29/2007, 10:13 pm
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SoDoneLurking
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
The first day of kindergarten was HARD (on me...my kid was like "why are you still here? Bye mom...").
She loved, loved, loved kindergarten. She's a total social butterfly and was bored with just me.
Homework was actually fun, because you get to stay involved in their learning, instead of never knowing what's going on. (My kid likes learning, too...she's scary perfect like that).
What makes me sad is that my oldest is a senior this year. I just can't believe he'll be old enough to vote in a year...
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~SDL~
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.- Marianne Williamson
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Jul/24/2007, 4:36 pm
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1lost1
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
Doesn't it go so unbelievably fast.... wow I am in the same boat as you. I feel as if I haven't aged a bit, but I look at Zak and Alex & they are Men- I just don't know how it went so quick & hope it doesn't feel like that when Livy gets to be their age.
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Jul/24/2007, 4:51 pm
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The CouchPotato
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
Do you mind if I jump right in ?
I have a little girl almost 2, and I am checking the Goddard School out.
Anyone here have any experience with that school ?
They call it an early childhood development program.
I really want her to interact with other kids, I think she gets bored with just mommy.
It seems the rules have changed quite a bit since I was in school and she is my only child so I dont have the "other" childrens experiences to go by. A friend of mine even said that they have to know how to write the alphabet before they enter preschool.....?
They even start at infants, so I wasn't sure if it's like a daycare or preschool. They have a toddler program they call it, and then of course preschool, after-school, and kindergarten. I emailed them for a price list, just have not heard anything back yet.
LOVE this board, so I thought I would ask you all for some advice...
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Aug/10/2007, 12:13 pm
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1lost1
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
I live in a pretty rural place so I really don't know about Goddard. I do know I stayed home with the boys (actually worked while they slept) if I had to leave them they stayed with my Grandparents ~ daycare, preschool all of that scared the bejesus out of me.
With Livy I didn't have much of a choice. We set up a nursery here at work (my bosses are fantastic), her Dad also watched her the first year and did take fantastic care of her... I can also work from home... but it wasn't fair for her to be down here and not have any little ones to hang out with. So I looked into childcare and was fortunate to find a wonderful place that is actually visible from my Mom's house (that was a great comfort). I can't tell you how wonderful it has been. She truly loves it and I let them know what we are working on at home and they continue there and she is really learning things at a faster pace I think than the boys did. Additionally just her spending times with children and seeing how she enjoys it has made it so great. I completely changed my feelings from when the boys were little.
My niece is 3 ~ she lives where I raised my boys and no children are around for her to play with (she now has a little brother) she has a very difficult time around other kids. I love her to bits, but she doesn't play well and I think they are going to have their hands full when she goes to school. They have cracked down so much on behavior that it is just so important the kids go and know how to behave or they ask them to leave until they are socially ready (at least in our area)
Gal I work with, Mom of 5 her youngest went to kindergarten. They really got on her as he couldn't write his alphabet, did not do addition well, and couldn't comprehend sight words... we were shocked. It wasn't like that before. I have really been working with Olivia, just to make sure we have the basics covered.
We have accomplished the alphabet, numbers 1-10, days of the week, and some colors and a lot of animals. We sing a lot too ~ she loves that. But I think the expectations of a kindergartener is just too much. A lot of children don't have someone at home to help them along and they aren't educated until they get to school. Those little ones are going to have a very difficult time.
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Aug/10/2007, 12:35 pm
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The CouchPotato
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
I am a stay at home mom, so I didn't ever have to look into daycare. It is the interaction mostly that I want for her, and of course the learning.
I agree that the expectations are wow, up there.
She will be 2 the end of September so I guess I better get busy , lol.
Thats great that Olivia can say all that, Natalie doesn't say a lot of 'words' yet. I think hers are all going to come out at once.
The few that she does say...
momma
mommy
daddy
oh no
oh wow
no way
bye bye
bye
hi
hello
jojo (one of our dogs)
NO
shakes her head for yes or no
papa bud (1 of her grandpas)
grandma
yellow
apple
alright
I don't know (only it come out 'I no-no')
grandpa
If you ask her to get elmo or one of her 'named' stuffed animals she will get the correct one, but wont say the words.
She knows which barnyard animal you are talking about if you say the name or make the noise, but she doesnt say those either, she will make the noise tho, lol.
She knows that daddys dirty socks laying on the floor belong in the laundry roomand inside the washer, and she shows daddy. She knows what I mean when I ask her do you have a stinky butt...she shakes her head and says no and runs lol. She knows what a windy butt is too.
She comprehends almost everything we say
She just doesnt speak so much....why do you think that is, I think she is pretty smart just not vocal.
sorry so long....
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Aug/10/2007, 1:50 pm
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1lost1
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
My boys were gabby gusses and so is Olivia, I have a friend whose daughter wasn't vocal for the longest time, then bam all at once she said everything. She is now 13 and just as smart as a whip. I think once she started getting vocal she never stopped. I think a lot of kids just have their own timetable. I know when I was expecting Olivia ~ because it had been so long since I had a baby I read up on a bunch of different things and one of the most common statements that I heard time and time again was milestones don't hold the importance that they once did. Now I am not sure when it is time to become concerned... I know Livy has a second year check up the end of Sept. she was born the 22nd so our little ones are the same age. Would think your little one will too. Definitely ask you ped. just so you know. And I will look through various articles I have saved over the weekend and see if I find anything that applies.
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Aug/10/2007, 2:00 pm
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The CouchPotato
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
Neat, Natalies birthday is the 26th. 
Yes, she has her check up on the 28th.
I know, when I was pregnant I read every book available.
My favorite is 'from birth to 5 years' penelope leach.
I know its hard when every child is so different, but it is on my list of questions for him.
PS..
(how can I get all these cute little smilies for my board?)
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Aug/10/2007, 2:14 pm
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1lost1
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
I'll gladly pop over and show you if you like 
just let me know when you are ready it only takes a sec once you know what you are doing.
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Aug/10/2007, 2:39 pm
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bnlred
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Re: Getting ready for kindergarten
Sounds to be like your little one is right one track. For children with other siblings at home, language typicaly comes easier to them. I am a mom of one child as well and he was also born in Sept. Since your daughter is not even two yet, as long as she is reaching dvelopmental and growth milestones, she is probably fine. As suggested, check with your pediatrician, but hopefully this will help you to be less anxious.
As for being able to write their alphabet before preschool, sorry but that is hogwash. Children that young are generally not developmentally able to this. The finger and hand strength alone that is necessary to control a writing instrument is something that comes with practice. Having her color/scribble on paper is both developmentally appropriate and physically important to promoting her hand strength and introduction to writing/drawing.
Start working with her on her letters (the A-B-C song), get toys that emphasize letter recognition (I've used the Leap Frog Letter Factory video with success), watch Sesame Street (still the best show out there for kids) and read read read to her. That will start her on the path towards language development.
Most children are expected now to be able to write and identify their letters (and name) by the time they enter kindergarten; however, there are some exceptions. Generally most children developmentally on track are able to pick this up very quickly at this age- even if they have practiced much before. the biggest advantage preschool will have for your daughter at her age is definitely social. Being around other children, participating in social events as a group, learning social dynamics and basic rules, and also seeing that other adults have, make, and follow rules similar to what you have been teaching an empahisizing to her will make a hug impression and help her to grow as the unique individual she is. Be sure to look for a quality preschool (get recommendations from parents you know if possible whose kids go there), ask about their security measures, discilpline tactics and beliefs, potty/diaper change policies, snacks, and last but certainly not least, their curriculum. You can check out parents.com or babycenter.com and search for questions to ask and what to look for in a preschool also.
Hope all this helps and sorry so long! I have definitely been in your shoes and its a daunting thing, especially when you have no one to compare notes with or have people give you misleading info. Let me know if there is anything else I can help with and feel free to drop me a pm. We moms stick together!! You sound like a very conscientious, loving mom and I'm sure your daughter will do great! Take care!!
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Aug/10/2007, 5:05 pm
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