Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.

Prepping for Kindergarten a family affair

Apr 24, 2018 | 8:25 PM

Close to 600 students soon to enter Kindergarten were invited to Parkland Mall on Tuesday.
 
Those parents and kids who were able to attend Red Deer Public Schools’ annual ‘Kindergarten Here I Come’ event were given a glimpse into what school will look like for them come September.
 
Susan Parkins, Early Learning Coordinator with Red Deer Public, says giving families a sneak peek has proven beneficial.
 
“We are able to collaborate with families, parents specifically, and help them understand some key things, like why it’s important for a child to understand how to use scissors, and how to colour,” she says. 
 
“The more we can support families in knowing these things are helpful in terms of getting their child ready for Kindergarten, that child will be just that much better prepared when they walk into the classroom.”
 
Parkins says Kindergarten enrolment is up this year, partially due to ‘Kindergarten Here I Come,’ she believes.
 
Each child goes home from the event with a bag that includes things like scissors, pencils, glue and construction paper.
 
It is held in collaboration with community agencies like Family Services of Central Alberta and Alberta Health Services, as well as dental offices, mental health services and several others.