How Should I Prepare For School?
Did you know that less than half the children in Pulaski are ready for Kindergarten when they start school? The state average for Kentucky is only 51%. Did you know there are things we can do to make this better? The first five years of a child’s life are fundamentally important. The first years shape a child’s future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general. Recent research confirms that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child’s brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child’s brain architecture. Early experiences have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities. Everything she or he sees, touches, tastes, smells or hears helps to shape the brain for thinking, feeling, moving and learning. Encouraging children to play and explore helps them learn and develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. This helps children get ready for school. (Facts for Life – Child Development and Early Learning) So you have a vital role to play in helping your child learn through these early years. You are your child’s first teacher, and your child will keep learning from you as she gets older.
If you are questioning whether your child is hitting his/ her developmental milestones, check out our Resource Guide
Check out our Directory
Studies show children in high-quality early learning program environments develop better math, language and social skills sooner. Kentucky All STARS is Kentucky’s expanded five-star quality rating and improvement system for type I, type II and certified family child care homes.
Quality ratings for all type I, type II and certified family child care homes are administered by the Division of Child Care of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Swaddles to School
- If you have questions about whether your child is meeting his or her milestones, or what you can do to help them meet them, check out our guide.
- If you need to know who to talk to if your child is not meeting their milestones, check out our guide
- If you are or know of a family with a young child that have housing, dietary, educational, medical or mental health needs, check out our guide.
- What to look for when selecting a child care center, check out our guide.
- What does School readiness look like? Check out our guide.
- We have compiled a milestones check list with things you can do to help your child meet these milestones. We have gathered information from local community businesses and organizations that provide services to children and their families to help ensure they have what they need to be successful in school and in life.