Just like all children will not walk and talk at the same time, all students coming into Kindergarten are not at the same level. Many parents are looking for ways to help their child be socially and academically ready for Kindergarten. In each section, we have listed easy strategies you can use at home to help prepare your child for Kindergarten success.

Dads have an important role in their children’s growth and development. Children do better in all areas of school when their fathers are involved. Although it can be difficult to be active in your school with work schedules and other requirements, here are some simple and effective ways you can make a difference.

Durham Public Schools has developed ten weeks of lessons to help build fine and gross motor skills, self-help skills, pre-reading and writing skills, and math and science skills. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Kate MacDonell at 560-9403.

Together with Durham's Partnership for Children, DPS has developed a series of newsletters to help you develop your child's academic, social, emotional, and physical health. Here are the links to read the first two newsletters in this series. Please call 560-9403 to receive a hard copy.

http://www.dpsnc.net/news/Newsletters/steps-to-school-kindergarten-newsletters/Steps2School_issue1_FINAL.pdf/view

http://dpfc.net/Admin/uploads/photos/Documents/newsletters/S2S_HealthIssue_proof5.pdf

http://dpfc.net/Admin/uploads/photos/Documents/newsletters/Steps2SchoolIssue3.pdf

We all want our children and students to be in a great health as they start school. Here are some ideas to help your child be in top shape.

Homework policies vary between elementary schools and even within Kindergarten teams. Some teachers may send home a monthly calendar, some may send a weekly homework packet, some may only send home a nightly reader. Although every child’s homework experiences will vary from year to year, here are some ideas to make homework a positive time.

Once your child begins Kindergarten, it may make sense to let the teaching stay at school. Remember, though, you were and will continue to be your child's first and most important teacher. Although structured learning may take place at school, you have a great opportunity to take everyday experiences and turn them into memorable learning opportunities.

Having a strong relationship with your child's school is one of the best ways to help your child. When parents are involved, good things happen! Children who have involved parents are more likely to earn better grades, attend school regularly, show better behavior, be more positive in their attitude about school, complete homework assignments, and attend college. What more incentive do you need?

Here you will find a list of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual perception skills, self help skills and pencil grip skills that your child will develop in our kindergarten program.