From the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Copyright © 1996 by National Association for the Education of Young Children.
TEN TOP SIGNS OF A KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM
Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, their
general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest
in reaching out to the world. While kindergarten marks an important transition
from preschool to the primary grades, it is important that children still get
to be children -- getting kindergarteners ready for elementary school does not
mean substituting academics for play time, forcing children to master first
grade "skills," or relying on standardized tests to assess children's success.
Kindergarten "curriculum" actually includes such events as snack time, recess,
and individual and group activities in addition to those activities we think
of as traditionally educational. Developmentally appropriate kindergarten
classrooms encourage the growth of children's self-esteem, their cultural
identities, their independence and their individual strengths. Kindergarten
children will continue to develop control of their own behavior through the
guidance and support of warm, caring adults. At this stage, children are
already eager to learn and possess an innate curiosity. Teachers with a strong
background in early childhood education and child development can best provide
for children what they need to grow physically, emotionally, and
intellectually. Here are 10 signs of a good kindergarten classroom:
1. Children are playing and working with materials or other children. They
are not aimlessly wandering or forced to sit quietly for long periods of
time.
2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as
block building, pretend play, picture books, paints and other art
materials, and table toys such as legos, pegboards, and puzzles. Children
are not all doing the same things at the same time.
3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group
at different times during the day. They do not spend time only with the
entire group.
4. The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own
writing with invented spelling, and dictated stories.
5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday
experiences. Exploring the natural world of plants and animals, cooking,
taking attendance, and serving snack are all meaningful activities to
children.
6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour)
to play and explore. Filling out worksheets should not be their primary
activity.
7. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day that weather permits.
This play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.
8. Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story
time.
9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need
additional help. Because children differ in experiences and background,
they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
10. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel safe
sending their child to kindergarten. Children are happy; they are not
crying or regularly sick. Individual kindergarten classrooms will vary, and
curriculum will vary according to the interests and backgrounds of the
children. But all developmentally appropriate kindergarten classrooms will
have one thing in common: the focus will be on the development of the
child as a whole.
Reproduction of this material is freely granted, provided credit is given to
the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
