Prepare Young Children for the Common Core Using Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Contact: Carrie Germeroth

Audience(s): Teachers and Administrators

Service Description:

With the implementation of the Common Core, many early childhood educators report feeling pressured to prepare children for more academically challenging kindergarten classrooms while at the same time staying true to teaching methods appropriate for young children. Fortunately, teaching academic skills and using developmentally appropriate practices do not have to be an “either/or” decision.

Key Ideas:

In this one-day workshop, participants will learn about:

• The  Common Core and what children are expected to know and be able to do at the end of their kindergarten year
• Early learning prerequisites of the academic skills taught in kindergarten and what these prerequisites look like in preschool
• Scaffolding and the various forms scaffolding can take in an early childhood classroom
• Mature, make-believe play as a context in which young children develop  skills critical for school readiness

The workshop consists of a PowerPoint presentation delivered by the consultant, structured discussion in small groups or pairs, and viewing and analyzing videotapes that illustrate different teaching practices.