FIND OUT MORE

"Raising a School-Ready Child," a family guide

Available from Center on the Family, University of Hawai'i-Manoa

956-4132, cof@ctahr.hawaii.edu

THE CRITERIA

Hawai'i's public elementary schools chart student progress in six areas on report cards:

• Self-directed learner. Ability to be responsible for one's own learning.

• Community contributor. Understanding that it's essential to work cooperatively.

• Complex thinker. Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.

• Quality producer. Ability to recognize and produce quality performance and quality products.

• Effective communicator. Ability to communicate effectively.

• Effective and ethical user of technology. Ability to use computers and online resources effectively and honestly.

HELP AT HOME

Here are some early-learning activities that can help prepare your preschooler for kindergarten evaluations, from "Raising a School-Ready Child."

• Self-directed learner: Assign responsibilities appropriate for your child's age, and teach how to carry them out. This helps your child learn to follow directions, finish a task and develop confidence.

Sample activity: "I can help"

What to do: Have your child help set the table for a meal.

1. Set one place setting at the table as an example to follow. Explain that each person needs one plate, one napkin, one cup, and one fork or pair of chopsticks.

2. Have the child count the number of cups, plates, forks or chopsticks, and napkins needed for mealtime.

3. Ask the child to place these items in the appropriate places, giving a reminder to use the place setting as an example.

4. Talk with your child about each family member and the tableware. For example, ask: "Is Daddy's cup the same size as yours? Which one is bigger?"

5. Talk about how it's important to help others.

Reinforce learning:

• Give your child age-appropriate responsibilities to do regularly, such as putting away toys after use and brushing teeth before going to bed.

• Create a checklist of responsibilities and have the child check off each that has been completed.

• Provide time limits for certain activities; show your child how to monitor the time himself with clocks, watches or timers.

In the kindergarten classroom, students will be expected to work independently and ask for help when needed, organize materials, make productive use of class time and set goals.

• Complex thinker: Encourage your child's curiosity and help him or her to question, explore, experiment and solve problems. This helps develop critical-thinking skills and creativity.

Sample activity "Does it float or sink?"

What to do: When you and your child are at the beach, find natural objects to examine.

1. Ask him or her to describe each object's appearance and texture. You may prompt with questions such as, "What does it look like?" "What color is it?" and "How does it feel?"

2. Ask which objects will float or sink in the water, then have the child toss each one into the water.

3. After each toss, talk about why objects float or sink. For example, ask: "Did the rock sink because it was heavy or light?"

4. Make a chart to show which objects floated and which sank.

5. Have the child count the objects that floated and those that sank.

Other activities

• Plant some seeds in paper cups; talk about changes as you watch them grow.

• Play guessing games or do simple puzzles.

• Experiment with mixing colors, using paints, food coloring, or crayons.

In kindergarten, children will be expected to use their knowledge and experiences to solve problems in different ways, explain answers and make adjustments.

Sources: state Department of Education, www.doe.k12.hi.us; Center on the Family, University of Hawai'i, www.uhfamily.hawaii.edu