Full- day kindergarten program
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On September 7, 2010, school boards began the Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten program in schools all across Ontario. The purpose is to build a stronger educational system and a “well- educated workforce” (TCDSB).
It seeks to implement a play based learning experience with the assistance of both the classroom teachers and the Early Childhood Educators. According to the Ontario Ministry of Education, there are many reasons as to why parents should consider enrolling their child in full day kindergarten. Firstly, full-day kindergarten provides children with a foundation for future learning, more specifically a foundation for grade 1. Children will benefit from full- day kindergarten because of the following reasons:
Strong Start in School: Children are introduced to the realm of reading, writing and math which makes the transition into Grade 1 easier for the child, the parents and the Grade 1 teacher. It provides children with a fun and enjoyable experience in their school.
Socialize with Classmates: Children will develop their social skills as they begin to socialize with other children in the class. Developing a child’s social skills is essential for their success in school.
An Integrated Day: This will allow your child to develop relationships with their teacher and the classroom ECE who they will have for the entire year. This also enforces stability for children rather than having students transition often throughout the day.
Individual Attention: Students will receive more individual attention if they are in the school for full days. Teachers will have ample time to meet the needs of all their students.
Learning Opportunities: They have more opportunities to learn through the new play-based learning program.
Assessment is key!: Assessment is the initial starting point for differentiated instruction in the full-day kindergarten program. The
Kindergarten team has the ability to observe various students strengths, interests and unique needs. The daily activities within the “play based learning – full day kindergarten program” should challenge students and have them build on knowledge they already have.
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For more information on Full Day Kindergarten, this is the link to the Ontario Ministry of Education website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/
Benefits for Parents
Full- Day Kindergarten benefits parents as well. The new program provides parents with:
1. A stronger connections and familiarization with your child’s school.
2. This allows parents to feel confident in the school and their child’s education program.
3. Ability for parents to take an active role in their children’s school and in what they are learning.
4. Lastly, it will benefit parents work and life balance as it provides parents with more time for work or relaxation.
Curious to see what the news is saying about Full- Day Kindergarten? Click on the link below and check out this article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/parents-researchers-hopeful-of-positive-effects-from-ontarios-full-day-kindergarten/article14083441/
Also, take a look at this video on the benefits of Full- Day Kindergarten!
Roles in the classroom
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Teacher: The teacher in the Kindergarten classroom is required to develop
and deliver the planned daily activities in the classroom. They provide instruction while monitoring and assessing the progress of students predominantly using observational assessment. They use various teaching skills and strategies that will challenge students and further develop the information and knowledge they already have. Lastly, they are also responsible for communicating with parents on their child’s development and academic progress.
Early Childhood Educator (ECE): These individuals bring forth their skills and knowledge of early child development into the classroom working alongside with the classroom teacher. They work directly with infants and children in several different settings, one being a Kindergarten classroom. ECE’s are required to provide their own planning that would help develop the child’s physical, cognitive, language, emotional, social and creative skills. ECE’s also contribute to the children’s formative assessment done through qualitative observation. They essentially establish and develop great communication with the children and their families.
and deliver the planned daily activities in the classroom. They provide instruction while monitoring and assessing the progress of students predominantly using observational assessment. They use various teaching skills and strategies that will challenge students and further develop the information and knowledge they already have. Lastly, they are also responsible for communicating with parents on their child’s development and academic progress.
Early Childhood Educator (ECE): These individuals bring forth their skills and knowledge of early child development into the classroom working alongside with the classroom teacher. They work directly with infants and children in several different settings, one being a Kindergarten classroom. ECE’s are required to provide their own planning that would help develop the child’s physical, cognitive, language, emotional, social and creative skills. ECE’s also contribute to the children’s formative assessment done through qualitative observation. They essentially establish and develop great communication with the children and their families.
By the end of kindergarten...
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By the end of full-day kindergarten, students will have learned to:
- Share, listen, and wait their turn.
- Acknowledge different viewpoints of their peers.
- Understand emotions, display empathy, and report when there are injuries.
- Problem solve
- Cooperate and play with other peers.
- Understand consequences of misbehaviours.
- Understand themselves and aspects of their own identity.
- Understand their own likes, dislikes and preferences.
- Begin to understand the world around them
References
British Columbia Ministry of Education. (N/A). Full School Day Kindergarten. British Columbia Ministry of Education. Retrieved from http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/fdk/pdfs/pamphlet/Kindergarten%20Brochure_print_120703.pdf
Michaelis, S. (2013). The New Play- Based Kindergarten Curriculum Explained.TVO Parents. Retrieved from http://tvoparents.tvo.org/article/new-play-based-kindergarten-curriculum-explained
Ministry of Education. (2010). Full- Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program for four-and-five year olds: A Reference Guide for Educators. Ontario
Ministry of Education. Ontario Government. (N/A). 50,000 Kids Benefited from Full Day Kindergarten in Ontario. YouTube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POhlepU3QMI
Ontario Ministry of Education. (2013). Why should I enrol my child? Ontario Ministry of Education. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/whyshouldienrolmychild.html
TCDSB. (N/A). Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program. Toronto Catholic District School Board. Retrieved from http://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SchoolProgramsK12/Kindergarten/Pages/FullDayEarlyLearningKindergarten.aspx
Main Page Image: TDSB. (N/A). Firgrove Public School. Toronto District School Board. [Image] Retrieved from http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/firgrove/FirgroveNewsletterGradeTeamNews/KindergartenNews.aspx
Figure 1: BHNCDSB. (2013). Full Day Kindergarten. Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.bhncdsb.ca/programs-services/elementary/full-day-kindergarten
Figure 2: Ontario College of Teachers. (N/A). Features: Building Together. Professionally Speaking. [Image]. Retrieved from http://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/september_2013/features/together.html
Figure 3: Education Article. (2012). Kindergarten Graduation Gift. Education Article. [Image]. Retrieved from http://educationarticle.net/kindergarten-graduation-gift/