The Ministry of Education's Kindergarten Program is a two-year continuum and addresses learning in:

• Personal and Social Development;
• Language (Literacy);
• Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy);
• Science and Technology;
• Health and Physical Activity; and
• The Arts.

Personal/Social Development
The Kindergarten Program includes learning in the following strands: self-awareness and self-reliance; social relationships; and awareness of surroundings.

At home you can:

• provide opportunities for your child to play and take turns with other children;
• provide new situations for your child (e.g. going to the library for story time);
• talk about what to expect in new situations; and
• encourage your child to make independent choices.

Language (Literacy)
The Kindergarten Program includes learning in oral communication; reading; writing; and understanding of media materials.

At home you can:

• encourage your child to ask questions and to use words, not actions to communicate needs;
• provide many opportunities for your child to talk throughout the day to a variety of people;
• sing, recite poems and nursery rhymes with your child in your own language;
• tell stories, say poems and rhymes, sing songs and play music in your own language;
• read to your child and talk about what you have read;
• point out words, numbers and signs in the community;
• visit the community library;
• involve your child in writing;
• provide materials for your child to use - crayons, markers, pencils, scrap paper;
• talk about your child's name and the letters in the name;
• celebrate your child's writing successes;
• provide opportunities for your child to use a computer, view and listen to stories;
• provide materials for your child to communicate information;
• watch television and movies with your child and talk to them about what they are watching; and
• provide opportunities for your child to respond to media viewed and heard.

Mathematical Literacy
The Kindergarten Program includes learning in number sense and numeration (comprises about 20% of the curriculum); measurement; geometry and spatial sense; patterning; and data management and probability.

At home you can:

• involve your child in sorting activities -laundry, cutlery, toys;
• cook with your child - talk about measuring, filling and pouring;
• play counting, card and simple board games; and
• recognize and point out shapes and patterns around your home and community.

Science and Technology
Science and Technology includes learning in exploration and experimentation; and the use of technology.

At home you can:

• talk with your child about the things they see or hear on walks and outings;
• point out changes that occur in the child's environment (e.g. weather, growth); and
• encourage your child to ask questions about things they see and hear around them.

Health and Physical Activity
The Kindergarten Program includes learning in health and well-being, physical development and activity

At home you can:

• help your child develop appropriate personal hygiene (e.g. brushing their teeth, hand washing, etc.);
• talk to your child about nutritious food choices; and
• provide your child with opportunities to participate in physical activities (e.g. visiting local parks and playgrounds, participating in Parks and Recreation programs, etc.).

The Arts
The following areas are explored in The Arts section of the Kindergarten Program: Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Dance.

At home you can:

• celebrate your child's creations by focusing on the process, not the product;
• encourage your child's use of imagination through drawing, building, moving to music and acting out stories; and
• provide opportunities for your child to cut, paste, draw and create with play-dough.

Special Needs
Children entering Kindergarten come with different backgrounds and experiences and are at different stages of development. For children with special education needs, entry to school is more complex. Many school and community partners are available to support all children.

The school and regional teams include teachers, principals, special education resource teachers (SERTs), speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists or occupational therapists, autism team, Early Intervention Services, and preschool speech and language staff. Our goal is to work together to help all children be successful in their transition to school

Kindergarten Reporting Process

Junior Kindergarten Observation Visit and Junior Kindergarten Progress Report Card (November/December) Report Card for Terms One and Two (January and June)

Senior Kindergarten Progress Report Card and meeting with parent and child (November) Report Card for Terms One and Two (January and June)