Speaking up for full-day kindergarten in Alberta

    April 6, 2010

    ATA News Staff

    Kindergarten teachers attending author Miriam Trehearne’s workshop “Transform Your Kindergarteners into Young Writers” commented on the story about full-day kindergarten that appeared in the March 23 ATA News (“Who is offering full-day kindergarten in Canada?”). Featured here are quotes from Trehearne and some participants. The workshop was held March 18 at Barnett House, in ­Edmonton.

    Full-time kindergarten is best

    “Research shows that full-day, full-time kindergarten is best for children. We have been fighting for full-day funding for over 10 years. When are we going to get our heads out of the sand? Children’s environments have changed and we cannot give them what they need to be successful in half a day. We need to put money toward our future now; if we don’t, more money will be needed down the road for extra supports.”
    —Nada Dragich-Malica, Bannerman Elementary-Junior High School, Edmonton

    Alberta is behind other provinces

    “Why is Alberta so far behind so many provinces in this area? Kindergarten is the most important grade in literacy development. Where students are at the end of kindergarten is very predictive of where they will be in reading and writing at the end of Grade 1. This is significant because children who struggle at the end of Grade 1 will still be struggling at the end of Grade 4. Half-day kindergarten is not adequate for many children. Teachers need to have the time to provide the support to all of their children and to support the whole child: heart, mind and soul. Alberta needs to invest in kindergarten.”
    —Miriam Trehearne, author of Language Arts Resources for ­Kindergarten Teachers

    Kindergarten meets needs of all students

    “Kindergarten, full-day, five-days a week is an ideal way to meet the needs of all students while addressing parental pressure. All day, two days one week and three days the next is a convenient program that offers more cost-effective transportation options, but the alternating day program does not build the structure, routine and vocabulary that most kids need, especially in a program like French immersion or in schools with more at-risk children.”
    —Simone Chalifoux, École Marie Poburan, St. Albert

    Language acquisition is supported

    “I support full-day kindergarten for at least three reasons: (1) full-day kindergarten helps English as a second language students and special needs students develop the skills, strategies and experiences they need for Grade 1; (2) educational expectations have increased for all students; and (3) expectations in kindergarten have shifted from social skills to academics and there is not enough time to cover everything in the curriculum.”
    —Naomi Key, Evansdale School, Edmonton

    Provides high-quality education

    “Full-day kindergarten is an excellent way to provide children with the high-quality education they deserve. Research has proven that it increases children’s chances for success. Full-day kindergarten helps children from lower income families and it puts them on par with their peers. It better prepares all students for Grade 1—better socialization skills and academic skills. Right now, we see large growth throughout the year but many students are still not ready for Grade 1 by the end of June. Alberta does not have enough high-quality preschool programs, and most need extra supports. Most students are spending half their days in daycare centres when they would have a much better chance of success in full-day kindergarten.”
    —Kim MacLaren, Evansdale School, Edmonton



     
    —Photo by Koni Macdonald
    A participant in the “Transform Your Kindergarteners into Young Writers” workshop at Barnett House, March 18, 2010

    Needs of immigrant students are addressed

    “I encourage teachers to check out the Early Childhood Education Council’s website   http://ecec.teachers.ab.ca to find good information about how to take action on educational issues such as full-day kindergarten. With so many jurisdictions supporting full-day, full-week kindergarten programs in our province, we must ensure programming is fair and equitable for all.”
    —Cathy Pattison, Beacon Heights Elementary School, Edmonton

    More teaching hours required

    “We need more teaching hours in the day to meet the needs of our students. Research shows that the early years are the most influential and our best opportunity to truly make a difference. The money spent on early education is money saved down the line—less interventional catch up in the older grades. Children need to be better prepared for formal learning in Grade 1.”
    —Crystal Sinclair, Bannerman Elementary-Junior High School, Edmonton

    Makes the difference for high-needs students

    “I support full-day kindergarten as I have seen the difference it has made to the growth of students with high needs. I have taught half-day kindergarten, and I am presently teaching full-day, every-day kindergarten. The students in the full-day program have more time to learn and practice the necessary literacy and numeracy skills. They are ready and prepared for the challenges of the Grade 1 program. They are more successful readers and writers. It is time for Alberta to make it mandatory for children to attend kindergarten. It is essential that high-needs kindergarten students continue to receive full-day kindergarten. However, all kindergarten children could benefit from a full-day program and parents should have the option to register their child in a full- or a half-day kindergarten program. The province of Alberta needs to catch up to the rest of the world in the area of early childhood education.”
    —Jacklyn Corbett, Evansdale School, Edmonton


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    Speaking up for full-day kindergarten in Alberta