Full Day Kindergarten

At this time of year kindergarten families are normally getting excited for their start to school in the Fall.  At David Cameron Elementary we normally have our orientation session already completed and information out to families.  We are little behind this year for a number of reasons, but are anxiously anticipating the start of full day kindergarten at David Cameron.  We are slated to have three K classes next year and our teaching staff have been working hard in preparation; buying equipment and resources, talking with each other about plans for instruction, and determining classroom locations.

The most exciting aspect of full day kindergarten is the luxury of time to play.  Kindergarten is based upon the idea that play is learning.  Students are able to explore, imagine, and play symbolically as they learn to interact with others and the world around them.  Our Kindergarten staff were fortunate to spend a morning with other kindergarten teachers last week, discussing the importance of play as the central element to their programs.  The Primary Program (Ministry of Education, 2000) says: "Children learn through play.  Through their play, children develop sensory motor control, eye-hand coordination, and problem solving skills.  Physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development are all enhanced through play.  Piaget (1980) went on to say that, "Play therefore becomes a creative experience in which the child bends reality to his [sic] wishes, incorporating his [sic] social experiences, reliving his [sic] pleasures and resolving his [sic] conflicts, thus ensuring survival".

The gift of time for kindergarten, will allow our staff and new students the opportunity to explore a variety of themes and concepts through play-based learning.  We anticipate that each of our classes will be located on the first floor to allow easy access to the outdoors, so that their play can incorporate indoor and outdoor spaces.

This is an exciting opportunity for all.  I'm sure there will be some learning and some fine tuning in our program that happens over the year, but in the end the caring and thoughtful approach our teachers are taking is sure to make this a great experience for everyone.  As I wrap up, I think about a notion from Lev Vygotsky that suggests "children rise about their average behaviour in play".  This is what creates such fertile ground for learning.  Bring on the full day K!