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In Early Childhood Education

Ready or not — kindergarten here I come.

Most parents don’t take a cavalier approach with their child’s first formal educational experience.

However, overanalyzing every move a four-year-old makes isn’t productive either. So, how do parents determine if their child is ready to begin kindergarten?

The first consideration is usually age because most private and public schools have a cut-off date: the date by which a child must be five. However, experts agree that chronological age is only one piece of the puzzle. It should not be the determining factor. A child’s social/emotional, physical, academic, and learning preparedness are the considerations which should help guide the decision.

Dorris-Eaton T.K. class in Alamo, CA

Being ready to learn can be critical to success at school.  For a child about to enter kindergarten, look at how well he communicates and listens.  Does he speak in complete sentences most of the time and understand and follow two-step directions?  Is he focused and attentive when a book is read?  Is he able to wait when the need arises?  Can he successfully follow a routine?

Does your child wonder about the world around him and ask questions?

Another consideration is academic readiness.  Being curious is key.  Does your child wonder about the world around him and ask questions? After hearing a story, is he able to reasonably retell the story and connect it to his own life?  Letter and number recognition shows readiness.  A conceptual understanding of math includes the ability to count, recognize one-to-one correspondence, and identify quantity—groupings which show greater than and less than.

Sometimes there is a tendency to overemphasis a child’s cognitive ability. A child’s social/emotional development is critical to enjoying school and being successful.  Can your child express his feelings?  When interacting with other children, how well does he share, take turns, compromise, and problem solve?  Assess your child’s independence.  Is he able to separate from you, dress himself, and take responsibility for his belongings?

Fine- and gross-motor skills are also important.  Does your child use drawing or writing tools with control and intention?  Can he copy a straight line, circle, and triangle? When drawing himself, does his picture have a head, body, arms, and legs?  In terms of gross-motor skills, look at how well your child catches and bounces a ball.  Is he able to hop on one foot, jump, and run in a straight line?

It can be difficult for parents to objectively assess their own child’s readiness for kindergarten. So, seek the opinion of skilled educators, childcare providers, or adults who know your child well. Meld their assessment with your own so that you can make an informed determination as to whether your child is “ready or not” to begin kindergarten.

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In Extracurricular

Wikileaks has done more harm than good.
Debate that one.

Microphone on debate podium

Debate has been one of the fastest growing extra-curricular activities for middle-school-aged students in the East Bay.

Participants in debate no longer grapple solely with the traditional controversial issues of school uniforms, gun control, and affirmative action. Instead, they address complex state, federal, and global problems currently being discussed by adults. “The U.S. should adopt a single-payer health care system.” and “Sanctuary cities do more harm than good.” were two topics by The East Bay Debate League.

Microphone on debate podium

The Dorris-Eaton Debate Team

Debate teams prepare to be on either the proposition or opposition side of an issue. Thirty minutes prior to facing their opponents, students are assigned the “side” they are to present. Sound stressful? Debaters don’t think so. They find the tournaments thrilling because participants must think on their feet, work as a team, and speak forcefully to prove their point. The communication, analytical, and public speaking skills gained and honed by being on a debate team produce confident teens.

Teams begin by researching the subject, using credible sources that will enable them to distill the complex issue into compelling points.

Teams begin by researching the subject, using credible sources that will enable them to distill the complex issue into compelling points. Students develop a thorough understanding of the problem and analyze available statistics so they know what data to use, how to use the facts, and when to use the numbers to their advantage. Knowledge of the United States Constitution, current or precedent-setting court cases, and local laws can all come into play during a debate. The ability to think quickly to refute the opponents’ claims is as important as the strength of one’s own argument.

Not impressed yet? Debaters must work collaboratively and be effective communicators. Each individual of the three-member team is responsible for the research. Together they evaluate and prioritize the material gathered. This requires the ability to constructively give and receive feedback, and in some cases “park your ego at the door.” Likewise, an honest assessment of each member’s speaking skills occurs when determining the speaker order.

Finally, those who participate in debate are or become excellent public speakers. Eye contact, effective gestures, voice, tone, and inflection are all taught and practiced via debate. The first two speakers on each team have 5 minutes to make their case, with possible point deductions for too few or too many seconds over the allotted time. The “closer,” or last speaker, has 4 minutes to drive the case home. Yielding the floor to the opponent who is trying to undermine your stance requires poise under pressure. Listening to the other side and punching holes in their argument without being offensive is a skill. Presence and composure are hallmarks of debaters.

If you’re having a hard time imagining adolescents in this role, sign your middle school student up for a debate class. However, be sure you’re up on your facts when your child uses the new found skills on you.

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