Transitional Kindergarten Program
The Transitional Kindergarten program will follow the kindergarten curriculum while adding a developmental focus taught at a pace designed to meet the children's individual social and emotional needs. It is an option for those students who turn age five between July 1, 2012 and December 1, 2012, and whose parents believe their child is not ready socially or academically for an academic kindergarten program.
Savanna School District’s Transitional Kindergarten Program is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program designed to prime young kindergartners for school success. It is designed specifically for children with birthdates between July 1 and December 2, 2007. Children with birthdates between December 2, 2007 and February 1, 2008 will be considered if space allows. This program provides students with a strong educational foundation by giving children a stimulating environment that fosters physical, social-emotional and intellectual development. The Transitional Kindergarten curriculum, daily schedules, report cards, and art projects are all different than those students will experience in the Academic Kindergarten Program. Some students just require more time than others in order to be ready for Academic Kindergarten.
Transitional Kindergarten is designed to help children as they:
Build confidence and self-esteem
Develop small motor skills needed for writing
Foster large muscle skills needed for balance
Enhance skills such as sitting, listening, and following directions
Increase vocabulary enrichment and memory skills
Facilitate social interaction and encourages problem solving
Children experience school success from the beginning. Transitional Kindergarten has nothing to do with being smart; it’s about being ready. Students leave the Transitional Kindergarten Program prepared to enter academic kindergarten successfully.
Research shows that the majority of students retained in kindergarten and first grade have fall birthdays. In the state of California, in a study conducted in a California Performance Review concluded:
- Children born between June 15 and December 1 made up 53% of the students retained in kindergarten
- Children who enter kindergarten before their 5th birthday appeared to be at a disadvantage in all aspects of development
- In reading and mathematics, older kindergartners outperform younger kindergarteners
For these reasons, the State of California has enacted legislation to move the entrance date for kindergarten back, as follows: if they will be five years of age on or before December 2 for the 2011-12 school year, November 1 for the 2012-13 school year, October 1 for the 2013-14 school year and September 1 for the 2014-15 school year and each school year thereafter.
If you believe your child would benefit from participation in the Transitional Kindergarten, Program or to learn more information about this exciting program, please contact your child’s school.