Parents And Childcare Providers Learn About Kindergarten Readiness Camp

Before a child enters school, there are certain key measures expected.  These were discussed at length at this year’s LCCC 2nd Annual Kindergarten Readiness Summit held on Saturday, April 29th from 9:30 AM-1:00 PM.  The key components to being “school ready” fall into these categories:  general knowledge and mathematics; health and physical well-being; self-help skills; social and emotional development; and language and communication development.

At the baseline, a child prepared for the school environment should  be able to count in a sequence up to 30, as well as count sets of objects up to 10.  The child should be able to play and share with other children and follow simple rules, as well as show curiosity.  In addition, the ready child will be able to keep track of his belongings and cover his mouth and nose while sneezing.  Using pencils and crayons should already be underway to develop the small muscles in the hand.  For additional resources, go to:  http://ready4k.jefferson.kyschools.us.

Several community leaders presented their own tips to really rally “the village” in your neighborhood to the push for readiness.  These included:  Bonnie Lash-Freeman, Vice-Chairman of LCCC’s Board; Jimmy Wathen, Childhood & Development Specialist; Delia Mitchell, Certified Life Coach and Parent; Lawrence Wilbon, Director of Youth Development and Education, Louisville Urban League; and Laiesha Allen, Parent.

A new ArtsReach program was announced for 3-to-5 year olds.  And, the importance of encouraging diversity in the home and in your neighborhood was discussed  Dr. Dena Dossett indicated that three out of the four students sent to kindergarten are really not ready and prepared for a school day.  There is now a Kindergarten Readiness camp opportunity at JCPS.

Metro United Way provided kindergarten-readiness kits to the 70 parents in attendance, and special thanks was given to community partners, including United Way, Passport Health, Spalding University, KET, Kentucky Center’s Artsreach, The Gheens Foundation, JCPS, and others.