Early Childhood Education - The Foundation of a Great Education

The academic, emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult they will become. That is why understanding the need to invest in very young children is so important, so as to maximize their future well-being. The Alta-Aurelia school system takes the development of our early learners very seriously. We take a research-based, developmental appropriate approach for our Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten programs. Each of these programs is aligned with the Iowa Core Curriculum Standards, and is every day/all day programs. Each of our Early Childhood programs employ fully licensed teachers with Early Childhood Education endorsements.

Reasons for a Quality Preschool Education

1. Brain development is highest during the first four years of life. The brain is forming important neural paths to help develop the child's ability to perform and function and learn well. Children are able to learn at a rapid rate and want and need to learn new information. Your child can benefit immensely when interacting in a quality preschool, which is content rich with appropriate information and materials.

2. Structure is vital for the young preschooler and children thrive in a loving, structured environment with stimulating colors, sounds, textures, classroom layout, varying activities and books. Children learn routines and expectations and begin to look forward to the next activity.

Once they are settled into the structure and routine of the preschool classroom, a solid framework is established for their future school career which will be much more structured and demanding.

3. Social skills are important to learn at this age rather than waiting until Kindergarten age or later. Social skills such as learning how to listen, nice talk, brave talk, taking turns, apologies, when to say please and thank you, how to speak in a group, helping each other, learning compassion and empathy.

4. Academics are now being emphasized more than in past years because there is more research substantiating that a child is able to learn and perform more than what we used to expect.

Are all children going to learn to write letters well at the age of four? No. But given the opportunity to have a writing center with all different kinds of writing utensils and paper, the child will begin to strengthen fine motor skills, which are needed to learn how to write properly. Kindergartens expect the child to enter school knowing how to print the alphabet, numbers 1-10 (some 1-20), write their first and last name, display basic social skills and have an ability to comprehend and follow directions.

What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?

Transitional Kindergarten, often referred to as TK, is an exciting educational opportunity for kindergarten age students with late birthdays. It is the first phase of a Kindergarten program that uses age-appropriate curricula aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Transitional Kindergarten acts as a bridge between preschool and Kindergarten and is designed to provide our youngest 5 year old learners with the pivotal skills and experiences needed for success in Kindergarten. Students eligible for Kindergarten are also eligible for TK.

Entering Kindergarten at an older age is an important early predictor for student success. Some studies indicate that students who are older when they enter Kindergarten demonstrate a significant boost in academic achievement, self-confidence, and healthful attitudes about school and learning.

How is Transitional Kindergarten different from Preschool?
The standards, curricula and teacher credentialing requirements in Transitional Kindergarten are different than those in preschool. Transitional Kindergarten is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, is an academic program, and is taught by fully credentialed teachers. Transitional Kindergarten builds on the skills children may have learned in preschool.

How is Transitional Kindergarten different from Kindergarten?

The curriculum in Transitional Kindergarten is modified to meet the needs of younger students. Transitional Kindergarten includes an emphasis on oral language development, literacy immersion, number sense, and it provides collaborative experiences that promote cooperation, self-confidence, self-regulation and healthy attitudes about school and learning.

Parents of Kindergarten age-eligible students, in consultation with the school principal and/or staff, may request enrollment in a Transitional Kindergarten program. Parents must sign a Kindergarten Continuance Form verifying their understanding that they are enrolling their child in a two-year Kindergarten program.

For questions concerning the Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten programs in Alta and Aurelia, or to find out how you can enroll your child, please contact the building principals at the Alta Elementary and Aurelia Elementary. We are proud of the programs we are developing and we enjoy helping parents learn more about them.