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Kindergarten Readiness iconKindergarten Readiness

Early childhood experiences lay the foundation for a child’s future achievement and academic success. In fact, 90 percent of a child’s brain architecture is built before the age of 5. 

The goal is that each child enters kindergarten at age 5 socially, emotionally and academically prepared for success. Many factors influence a child’s start in life. Strong community partnerships are essential to support young children’s early learning, healthy development and strong families.

To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas kindergarten classrooms are utilizing a new tool to better understand students’ development. The Ages & Stages Questionnaires provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones. As caregivers know their children best, they complete both versions of the questionnaires. 

This data won’t be used to keep a child from entering  kindergarten. Instead, it will help teachers build strong relationships with parents and ensure classrooms are ready to best serve incoming kindergarteners.
 

Kindergarten in Kansas

What is Kindergarten Readiness

 

Kindergarten readiness begins at birth and occurs throughout a child’s earliest years. You, as a parent (a person who is the primary caregiver who may or may not be a biological parent), are a child’s first teacher. Every environment you create is a learning environment. The lessons and experiences you give your child impact their lifelong learning. School readiness is the result of the early learning years.

“ School readiness involves more than just an individual child. School readiness, in the broadest sense, is about children, families, early environments, schools and communities. Children are not innately ready or not ready for school. Their skills and development are strongly influenced by their families and through their interactions with other people and environments before coming to school.”

— Source: Maxwell, K., & R.M. Clifford. 2004. Research in Review: School Readiness Assessment. Young Children 59 (1): 42-46.

An essential building block for future achievement and academic success is school readiness. The years before kindergarten influence future success. Providing your child with healthy meals, physical activity and affection, as well as talking to them as much as possible, helps ensure your child has the skills to help him or her succeed.

— Source: Kindergarten in Kansas. Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, Kansas State Department of Education. 2021.

The Kindergarten in Kansas Booklet is available in the following languages:

 

 

 

 

 

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Questions about this page, contact:

Denise Kahler
Director, Communications and Recognition Programs
(785) 296-4876
dkahler@ksde.org

Cheryl Franklin
Graphic Design Specialist
(785) 296-4909
cfranklin@ksde.org

 

Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot Tool

Engaging with families to better understand children’s development prepares children, families and schools for a successful start to the kindergarten year. To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas elementary schools are partnering with families of incoming kindergarten students to collect kindergarten-entry data. The Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2) provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones. The Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot page has more information.

 

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