As a way to help prepare children ages 4 to 5 to enter kindergarten, the Mullica Hill library will host a three-week readiness program from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning on Aug. 10 and continuing on Aug. 17 and 24.
The program is in its first year at the library, and its aim is to provide kids with the skills they will need come fall.
“We’ll meet with them once a week for three weeks and go over skills they will need for kindergarten,” said Stephanie Smith, the library’s Head of Youth Services. “Each child will receive a nametag and a folder. The folder will include a welcome letter to parents and any activity sheets for optional ‘homework’. Children will be responsible for bringing it with them each week.
“The goal is to make the transition to kindergarten easier so the child knows what to expect and can feel more at ease when the day comes,” she added. “It’s our first time doing this program, but if it’s popular we will do it again next summer.”
Each session will focus on a different task. Week one will teach circle time and hallway etiquette; instructors will play a game with kids, read a story and take them on a library tour to practice following directions and listening skills.
Week two will focus on activities to teach kids to write and identify letters and numbers 1 through 20. The third and final week will help kids with identifying emotions and working through them with the library’s Worry Woo collection, a series of children’s books.
“Throughout the program, we will also work on fine and gross motor skills, listening skills, sharing and raising their hands,” Smith noted.
The program will conclude with a show and tell, as well as a mini graduation where participants will receive a hat and diploma. Though Smith recommends that kids do all three weeks of the program to get the complete experience, it is not mandatory.
The readiness program is free but requires parents to register on the GCLS website for each session. The registration form requires each attendee’s name, email address and phone number.
