Previously called "Countdown to Kindergarten," the free program returns to reach even more children with a new name, "Gearing up for Kindergarten."
Last year, the program included about 15 children at Wilkinson, but is reaching up to 60 families this year.
"We're hoping to reach 15 families at least per school," said Parent Resource Center coordinator Deb Roel. "We're trying to get the word out."
She said last year's program "was small." This year, families have the option of participating in a fall or spring session which meets eight times. Roel said this program is ideal for any parents who are interested in knowing more about how they can effect their 4-yar-old child's school success and what their child needs to be ready for kindergarten. Since children attend the program at the school they will attend next year, Roel said this provides some early buy-in for families.
"Children get to know the school, the staff. It's a way of getting them connected early," she said.
Although the emphasis is on kindergarten readiness, parental involvement is also key.
"It's important to help those parents to realize that they are an important part of their child's success at school," said Roel.
In regard to the curriculum presented through the program, Roel said it's a little different this year, but the core of the program is essentially the same.
"Children do activities in math, science, motor development, sensory development, reading and literacy," she said.
Meanwhile, parents can learn about brain development, parenting styles, early literacy and math, guidance and discipline, raising a reader, the importance of sleep, learning styles and school readiness, social and emotional development, nutrition, safety and the parents role in school success. Roel said the programs begin in October, although the dates are yet to be decided.
"It's hands-on learning for both parents and children," she added.
One such hands-on participant from last year is Chris Mack, whose son Cole, was one of the 15 students in the pilot at Wilkinson. He said he and his wife heard about the program and took Cole, who was rather shy.
"He had a lot of anxiety but we took him to the program and he adjusted very well," said Mack. "The program was really beneficial for him, and as far as I can tell, for all of the children who participated."
Although Mack said he was rather disappointed with the number of families who participated last year, he mentioned the free daycare was a plus.
"The siblings really liked the program because they had good people working there for the daycare program," he said.
Last year, classes were about an 90 minutes long, said Mack. During the first 45 minutes, parents did activities with their child and the instructors. Students then stayed with instructors and parents could talk separately about parenting issues, what to expect in school and things a parent might expect to face with a child in kindergarten.
Cole is the youngest of the three Mack children, in addition to their second and fourth graders.
"If they would have had this program back then, we would have definitely sent all three children through the program," said Mack.
He is pleased to hear they are expanding the program.
"I would recommend it for other families," he said.
The program is developed by the North Dakota State University Extension Service Region 5 Parenting Resource Center. Funding is provided through a grant from the North Dakota Parent Information Resource Center, in cooperation with the NDSU Extension Service and the Parent Education Network.
For more information, parents can call either the school where they plan to send their child to kindergarten next year, or the Parent Resource Center at 774-6335.
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