Essential Questions for Kindergarten Readiness: Kindergarten Success
Kindergarten Readiness Playbook: Chapter 5
Overview
A strong start sets children up for future success. Kindergarten readiness is linked to later outcomes, like third-grade reading, high school graduation, college attendance and earnings. Communities can improve early outcomes through high-quality early learning, engaged caregivers, access to health care, and safe, inclusive schools.
High-quality, full-day kindergarten programs continue to prepare young learners, giving them the learning experiences they need to stay on their developmental path.
New to the Kindergarten Readiness Playbook?
Learn how to get the most value out of the Kindergarten Readiness Playbook by reviewing the below resource.
Question 1: Are young learners demonstrating kindergarten readiness across the five learning elements?
Why it matters
Assessing kindergarten readiness: Assessing the readiness of children as they enter kindergarten can be useful for planning more effective services and investments for young children and their families. There are models of effective kindergarten assessment that either assess all children or a representative sample of children. Effective school readiness assessment practices are conducted annually, address all domains of child development and are appropriately aligned with early learning standards and K-3 education standards (Rhode Island Kids Count). Ideally, there should be one universal kindergarten readiness assessment used statewide.
Transitions to kindergarten: The transition from early childhood care and education settings or home to kindergarten is a significant milestone in the lives of young children, their families and their teachers. A smooth transition into kindergarten forms the basis for later academic achievement and success. When transitions are well-planned, children have fewer adjustment problems and more continuous developmental progress (Rhode Island Kids Count).
This section provides a shortened list of indicators, practices and policies for this essential question. To view the full content, download the playbook.
Contributing factor| Key source: E-W Framework
Kindergarten readiness
Question 2: Do young learners have access to quality, full-day kindergarten?
Why it matters
Full-day kindergarten: Young learners who attend full-day kindergarten have been shown to have greater self confidence, better academic outcomes the following year and are better at playing with others when compared to peers who attended half-day kindergarten (Cooper et al). Full-day kindergarten creates more time for free play and art, critical developmental activities that often get limited in half-day programs to emphasize academic activities.
Contributing factor | Key source: E-W Framework
Access to full-day kindergarten
Kindergarten Readiness Playbook
Download the full playbook