Kindergarten news - September 2022
Kindergarten News
By Wes Pokorny
The start of school is always exciting, especially when you are 5 or 6 years old. In my attempt to reach and teach the whole child, I try to plan activities that are developmentally appropriate. Yes, we spend a lot of time on our early reading and math skills but I will never underestimate the importance of play. Play is the work of children. Play that is not structured by an adult but initiated by the children themselves will teach more than I ever could. Play is where children learn to self-regulate and handle conflict. Play is where children learn to become risk takers. Without risk, there is no ability to solve problems. Without problem solving, there is no learning. You cannot measure any of those qualities by a standardized test that may or may not be developmentally appropriate for children.
I have spent the summer making some changes to what used to be our school garden. I will now refer to the space as the “Child Development Lab”. It is a space where children are in charge of their learning. The adults in the area are there to observe what is going on but not interfere unless safety becomes an issue.
My goal will always be to create a program where children are engaged in activities that bring them joy and allow them to be curious risk takers.
Until next time….Win The Day!
