By Cecelia Dodge - NLA Executive Director
Are you the parent of a preschooler? If so, you’re likely thinking about kindergarten. Are you wondering how you know if your child is ready for kindergarten? Are you wondering what a high quality kindergarten program looks like? Starting kindergarten is one of the important transitions a child makes in their lifetime.
Minnesota children, aged 3 and 4 should be screened for kindergarten. Screening is free and is conducted in the [non-charter school] district where you live. For example, if you live in the boundaries of the Forest Lake Area Schools (FLAS), they will conduct the screening for your preschooler. Experts believe that the optimal screening age is 3 ½. FLAS screening details: Early Childhood Screening. Here’s a short video to explain the what and why of the free screening process. Finally, here’s more information from the Minnesota Department of Education website: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/elsprog/screen/
Students who have attended preschool often are better prepared for kindergarten. If your child does not attend preschool, another way to help your child be ready for kindergarten is to get them to story time at the public library on a regular basis and/or attend early childhood family education (ECFE events). Additionally, US News and World Report, in a recent article, asked parents to consider whether their child has experienced playing outdoors with other children, and what kinds of social experiences they've had with other children and adults who look and act differently than they do. Having these experiences will help set them up for success in kindergarten.
At North Lakes Academy, a K-12 charter school in Forest Lake, we offer high quality kindergarten with small class sizes where we can meet a wide variety of student needs. We help students build curiosity and confidence from day one. We see that kindergarteners do best when they have the language, vocabulary, and social skills that make it easy for them to sit and listen to a story, follow simple directions, use a pencil or crayon, and get along with other children. We invite you to come for a tour. Check out our website for more information.
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