Ready for Kindergarten

Acknowledgments 

Preface to the Second Edition 

Beyond the Pandemic 

Emerging Trends 

Introduction 

This Book Is for You 

Information and Practical Advice 

How the Book Is Organized 

Chapter 1: Children Ready for School, Schools Ready for Children and Families 

The Concept of School Readiness for Children 

The School Readiness Road 

The Role of Language and Literacy in School Readiness 

Early Learning Standards and Indicators of Progress 

Play and Learning Standards 

Equity in Learning for Children in the Twenty-First Century 

The Concept of Ready Schools 

Ready Schools Need Ready Personnel 

Education Is a Complex Professional Field 

Families’ Hopes and Anxieties 

Family-School Partnerships Are a Special Effort 

Educators as Cultural Guides 

Discussion Starters  

Chapter 2: Kindergarten in the Twenty-First Century 

A Brief History of Kindergarten 

The Philosophical Foundation for the American Kindergarten 

The Reality of Current Kindergartens 

New Academic Pressures 

Full-Day versus Half-Day Kindergarten 

Kindergarten as the Bridge between Preschool and Elementary School 

The Impact of Home on School Preparation 

What Kindergarten Looks Like Today 

Two Kindergarten Classrooms Observed 

Preparing Children for Kindergarten 

Discussion Starters 

Chapter 3: Preparing Children for Kindergarten 

Going to Kindergarten Is a New Situation 

Temperament 

Child Development 101: Growth Is Not a Straight Arrow 

Preparing Dual-Language Learners 

Preparing Children with Special Needs 

Understanding the Kindergarten Teacher’s Challenges 

Whose Job Is It to Prepare Children for Kindergarten? 

Special Transition-to-Kindergarten Activities 

Discussion Starters 

Chapter 4: Preparing Families for Kindergarten 

A Road Map to Kindergarten 

Families’ Hopes 

Families’ Anxieties 

Addressing Families’ Feelings and Needs 

Helping Families Prepare Children 

Six Reassuring Messages 

Special Transition Activities to Prepare Parents for Kindergarten 

Discussion Starters 

Chapter 5: Preparing Early Educators 

Early Educators’ Roles 

All Who Care for Children Are Teachers 

Practical Tools for Gauging Early Literacy Behaviors 

Providing Feedback to Parents 

Early Childhood Educators Learn about Kindergarten 

Discussion Starters 

Chapter 6: Transition-to-Kindergarten Planning 

Continuity Is the Goal 

Thinking about Logistics 

Pre-K to K–12 Collaboration 

Yes, a Good Transition to Kindergarten Can Happen! 

A Few Last Words 

Discussion Starters 

Appendix A: Resources 

Appendix B: Are Children Ready for Kindergarten? Checklist 

Appendix C: Are Families Ready for Kindergarten? Checklist 

Appendix D: Are Pre-K Teachers, Family Child Care Providers, and Family Educators Ready to Prepare Children for Kindergarten? Checklist 

Appendix E: Transition-to-Kindergarten Strategic Plan Template 

Appendix F: Action Plan for Transition-to-Kindergarten Activities Template 

References