Kindergarteners are Special--Handle With Care

Program Description

Kindergartners are Special--Handle with Care written by Marilou Rochford, M.A., CFLE, associate professor, family and community health sciences educator, is a series of five two-hour sessions delivered in an interactive lecture format. It is designed for parents of prospective kindergarten children, ages four to six, to support and guide parents as their child begins the important transitional step of starting school. The program provides parents with tools for effective communication, loving discipline, balanced nutrition, self-esteem and motivation, all of which are essential to a child's healthy growth and development.

Note: The program incorporates a family literacy activity into each of the five sessions, with take-home exercises for building children's reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening skills. The program can be adapted as appropriate, to accommodate non-English speaking or low-literacy participants. As a child's first teacher, parents can provide excellent preparation in the development of literacy skills, which will enhance children's learning experiences and promote future school success.

Program Rationale

Parenting is a demanding responsibility for which few parents have any training or preparation. At one time, parents received support from extended families and neighbors. Today, there are few extended families and often empty neighborhoods to accommodate busier, more mobile lifestyles.

When children enter kindergarten, they and their parents experience a critical life transition. The way both groups adapt influences their experiences with education for years to come. For the students, building confidence at an early age predicts future educational achievement. For parents, building partnerships with school personnel enriches children's learning environment and creates a successful learning atmosphere. Research indicates that children are far more likely to succeed in school when their parents support their school experiences.

Session Descriptions

Session One: Building a Child's Self-Esteem

Reviews current society and its relationship to parenthood. Identifies and reviews the traits and behaviors of five- and six-year-olds. Examines self-esteem principles and explains their importance. Incorporates exercises to sharpen techniques for building self-esteem in both parents and children. Reviews listening skills and literacy activities.

Session Two: Communicating and Disciplining with Love

Looks at parenting styles and their relationship to children's behavior. Addresses using the language of acceptance. Sharpens listening skills, explores "listening between the lines." Examines the natural and logical consequences of punishment vs. discipline. Explains the six-second secret. Incorporates literacy activities.

Session Three: Nutrition, Health and Fitness

Examines children's diets using the food guide pyramid. Discusses nutritious snack foods. Explains exercise and fitness tips for home use. Reviews food labels and reinforces healthy food choices. Discusses safety issues. Incorporates literacy activities.

Session Four: The Fourth "R"--Responsibility

Teaches parents how to help children develop responsibility for learning and behavior. Examines learning contracts. Encourages responsible behavior. Examines showing respect for self and others. Discusses honesty, courage and self-control. Gives tools for decision making and problem solving. Incorporates literacy activities.

Session Five: Ready for Kindergarten

Discusses parents' earliest memories of school. Examines readiness for school. Reinforces encouraging growth and development. Discusses making a smooth transition and establishing a home/school partnership. Provides tools for continuing with course principles. Incorporates literacy activities.

To order this interactive parenting program, contact your Cooperative Extension county office:

When ordering, reference Extension Publication #E225. The cost for this publication is $42.

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