Whatever three-year-olds ponder in their daily lives B次元官网网址� Sesame Street, candy, Play-Doh B次元官网网址� school probably isnB次元官网网址檛 part of the list.
The Sooke School District, though, is hoping to get parents with young kids thinking about school and what their child needs as they enter kindergarten.
Through funding from the Ministry of EducationB次元官网网址檚 Ready Set Learn program, SD 62 is hosting an event to make the step into the education system less daunting, for parents and preschoolers.
Hosted at Westshore Town Centre on Feb. 2, the school district and other agencies, such a the Greater Victoria Public Library, will set up a series of booths for parents to ask questions get information and from teachers, principals and other educators.
The event will have activities for preschoolers and will be followed up with open houses at all elementary schools across the district.
B次元官网网址淔or families, itB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity to think about schooling early on,B次元官网网址� said Frances Krusekopf, SD 62 district principal for curriculum and programs. B次元官网网址�(The event) has a lot of value for families without children already in the school system. We want to be emphasizing that three- year-olds need to get ready for kindergarten.B次元官网网址�
Karen Goreas teaches kindergarten at John Stubbs Memorial school and has offered advice to parents at previous Ready Set Learn events. Reading early and reading often is her No. 1 point.
B次元官网网址淪tudents who have parents interested in reading with them definitely makes a big difference,B次元官网网址� Goreas said. B次元官网网址淵ou can tell the students who have been read to a lot. TheyB次元官网网址檙e more engaged and able to listen to stories better, and to pick things out when we talk about them.B次元官网网址�
Ready Set Learn is one facet of early childhood learning offered in SD 62, Krusekopf said, a concept which has continuing support from the Ministry of Education.
Ready Set Learn has funded programs such as Mother Goose nursery rhyme sessions and Books For Breakfast, and the Victoria Conservatory of MusicB次元官网网址檚 early childhood learning program in Langford.
Moreover, the district now has five Strong Start centres within elementary schools, which offer free drop in space for parents with kids five and younger.
B次元官网网址淓arly childhood learning has been on the agenda for a long time now,B次元官网网址� Krusekopf said. B次元官网网址淭he key piece is that (the ministry) continues to provide funding. They see this as being important.B次元官网网址�
The Ready Set Learn event is Feb. 2, noon to 4 p.m. at Westshore Town Centre. Parents and preschoolers are welcome.
The district is hosting the same event on same day at SEAPARC centre in Sooke, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Feb. 3 and 4, SD 62 elementary schools are hosting public open houses during school hours.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
