How young children learn

Children learn, grow, and develop at different rates. Fairfax County believes that the kindergarten program should be tailored to each child's needs, interests, and level of development. Based upon research about how young children learn best, the kindergarten program:

• Focuses on oral language development as the basis for writing, reading, and thinking.
• Builds on, improves, and increases the knowledge skills that children bring to school.
• Promotes an appreciation of the similarities and differences among people.
• Incorporates active learning through body movement activities, manipulation of learning materials, and interaction with others.
• Uses frequent assessments and observations to document and analyze children's learning behavior in the areas of language arts, math/science, and fine and gross motor skills so that activities can be tailored for the child.
• Encourages a love of learning.

Through individualization of the instruction, all students will progress at their own rates of development. Each student is given the opportunity to experience success, and build a positive self-concept.

Reading and writing

Children learn about reading and writing from hearing stories read aloud; seeing others read and write; reading and writing with the teacher; and having opportunities to interact with books, writing materials, and other forms of print. These learning experiences occur daily. When reading and writing, the children are encouraged to draw on background experiences and pictures, use meaning (“Does that word make sense?”), language structure (“Does that word sound right in this sentence?”), and phonics (letter-sound) cues. Big books (books with large print and pictures) class books, and stories or poems with rhyme, rhythm, or repetitive patterns are used daily in the classroom.

Phonics is an important element of the kindergarten program. Development of letter-sound relationships occurs within the framework of stories the children read and write. This specific instruction is always tied to meaning. Foundations for reading and writing are built on what children already know and by expanding and enriching their language through experiences that encourage listening, thinking, and speaking.

Mathematics

In kindergarten mathematics, children begin by using concrete objects to represent numbers, compare quantities (such as many, few, none, same, and different), represent and extend patterns, match and identify shapes and sort objects. Problem-solving skills are encouraged and developed throughout the year as children make up their own math stores, solve and illustrate simple story problems, and share their thinking about how a problem is solved.

Science

In science, children investigate and understand simple patterns in their daily lives by recognizing classroom routines, observing and discussing daily weather patterns and seasonal changes. Children begin to investigate and understand the needs and life processes of plants and animals. Activities with shapes, magnets, sand and water encourage further discovery, investigation, and problem solving.

Social studies

Children examine a variety of picture books, information books, and other materials to acquire additional knowledge about themselves as individuals, part of a family, and a community. Children share family traditions and celebrations, observe changes within the community, and explore American traditions, leaders and historical events. In geography, children begin to learn basic term and skills, and locate areas of land and water on maps and globes. Differences between economic needs and wants are included in the social studies program. Children participate in music, art, writing, technology, poetry, and dramatic representation activities as part of these learning experiences.

Music

Music and movement are incorporated throughout the kindergarten day. In addition, Kings Park kindergartners typically have music with a music specialist twice each week.

Singing, listening, movement and rhythm, playing instruments, and improvisation form the core of the Kings Park music program. Kindergartners love to perform. Each year Kings Park invites parents to a mini-musical performed by their kindergartners.

Art

During weekly art sessions with an art specialist, kindergartners experiment enthusiastically with art materials and investigate ideas through the visual arts: drawing, painting, sculpture, design, architecture, and folks arts. Creation is at the heart of this instruction. Students learn to work with various tools, processes, and media. They exhibit a sense of joy and excitement as they make and share their artwork with others.

Physical education and health

Primary children have an insatiable appetite to be active. Kings Park kindergartners typically have PE with a physical education specialist three times each week. The PE program fosters skill development, promotes lifetime fitness habits, and provides lots of fun! By focusing on skills rather than sports, children participate in a wide variety of activities to develop space awareness, balance, throwing and catching, and other motor skills. Gymnastics, rhythm, and dance are also important elements of the PE program.

Personal health and safety lessons are also important components of the kindergarten curriculum. Topics include nutrition, personal hygiene, avoiding harmful substances, and staying away from strangers. Each fall parents annually receive a description the grade-level Family Life Education (FLE) lessons with the choice of opting a child out of some or all lessons.

Technology

Kindergarten students in Fairfax County are involved in computer on-line and off-line activities. These activities give students a basic introduction to the computer, the computer keyboard, and use appropriate software that supports the instructional program.