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SCHOOL READINESS
We now know how important the early years are for building a foundation for life-long learning. Children who have the benefit of certain types of experiences and interactions in their early years will enter school better prepared to learn than those who don’t have the same types of exposure. Family Connections offers a number of programs to help parents and other caregivers make sure their children have experiences that will help them develop the skills needed to succeed in school.
Family Literacy Playrooms
Offered in partnership with local libraries in Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights, our Family Literacy Playrooms are special environments where parents and children have fun playing together while building important school readiness skills. Our carefully chosen play materials, printed play-pointers and guidance from staff give parents the perfect chance to help their children learn important pre-literacy skills like counting, sorting, matching and much more! Meaningful play, between child and an adult, provides the perfect vehicle for the skill-building process and will set children up for success in future years as eager and confident learners!
SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids)
SPARK is a kindergarten readiness program, currently offered in three Cuyahoga County school districts. SPARK provides a number of supports to families to help prepare their children for kindergarten. Services include home tutoring, free books, parenting tips, school supplies and step-by-step support for registration and transition into kindergarten. SPARK program services are provided by The Literacy Cooperative in partnership with Family Connections of Northeast Ohio, under the umbrella of Invest in Children, Cuyahoga County’s public private partnership serving young children and families.
How children and their families experience the first days of kindergarten, and even the days leading up to that first day, can have a significant influence on whether they feel comfortable with their new school and their new role as learners. The beginning of kindergarten can also be a nervous time for parents, and easing their transition sets the tone for a positive partnership with their child’s school. Family Connections developed the Kindergarten Kickoff program to help make sure the beginning of the elementary school experience is a positive one for both children and parents In two or three sessions during the weeks just prior to start of school, parents and children have the opportunity to become familiar with their new school, get to know teachers and other school staff as well as other kindergarten families, and learn more about what happens and what’s expected in kindergarten. We’ve offered this program in Cleveland Hts-University Hts, Shaker Hts, and various neighborhoods in Cleveland and have found that participating families feel better prepared for the transition to kindergarten.
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
Carol Nursery School is offering a program this summer for children with limited or no preschool classroom experience. It is specially designed to help your child gain the important skills needed for kindergarten.
GET READY! is a five week summer program for children who will be entering kindergarten in fall of 2012. The focus of the program will be to help your child practice kindergarten skills such as: following classroom routines, listening, cooperating, and communicating with teachers and peers. Carol Nursery will also offer activities in literacy, math,music, science, and art in play-based, relaxed environment.
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