KINDERGARTEN
Environment and Community Awareness

What your child is learning

Your child will begin to make sense of the environment and understand how they fit into and shape their world. They will see similarities and differences between things and discover how one action can cause another. Using their senses, they will identify shapes, symbols and sounds; recognize animals; and see seasonal changes. Building structures with various materials, and using technology, they will impact the environment and see the results. For more about Environment and Community Awareness, refer to the Kindergarten Program Statement .

How your child is assessed

Throughout the Kindergarten year, your child’s teacher will observe and record your child’s learning and progress in relation to the expectations for the seven learning areas included in the Kindergarten Program Statement. The teacher will keep notes and use checklists to record observations. They will look not only at your child’s work but also at the skills and strategies that your child uses. By observing your child many times in different situations, the teacher is better able to build a more complete assessment of your child’s learning.

Portfolios of your child’s work, selected by your child and the teacher, may be compiled over the year. A portfolio, containing such items as artwork, journals, samples of work, audio recordings or photographs, provides a meaningful picture of your child’s progress throughout the year.

Information that the teacher gathers about each child is used in several ways. This information helps the teacher plan the learning environment and match learning activities to learning needs. The teacher is able to provide ongoing feedback to children to help them recognize what they know and are able to do, and to focus their efforts on more challenging activities.

Through oral or written reports, parent evenings, classroom visits and conferences, you and your child’s teacher will exchange ideas and information, and you will learn more about your child’s progress and achievements. In some Kindergarten programs, children participate in conferences with parents and the teacher. This experience allows children to reflect on and celebrate their learning and set future goals.

Resources to help your child

Many Kindergarten programs have resources available for parents on a variety of topics, such as child development, discipline, parenting, health issues and community programs. The Kindergarten teacher and/or school principal may also suggest other places to look for information, such as libraries, local agencies or government offices.

Relevant Resource:

• Early Learning – Galileo Educational Network – For Parents

• What if my child needs more support to be successful?