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School board program
focuses on early years to boost social skills, learning Called 'School's Cool', the program's goal is to help children develop the academic and social skills they need to be successful in school. Accepted research shows the experiences children have in the first six years of life affect their behaviour, learning and health for the rest of their lives, according to a press release from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. The board is working in partnership with the Ontario Early Years Centres for Peterborough, Northumberland and Clarington and the Northumberland Child Development Centre on delivering the program. "Early, positive introductions to learning lay the foundation for a child’s success, both academically and socially," says Dr. Avis Glaze, director of education of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. "We welcome such community partnerships, as we all have a role to play in improving the life chances of our students," she states. According to information provided, the School’s Cool program concentrates on key areas of development, including: • social skills such as sharing, waiting for turns, playing co-operatively with others and following daily routines • language skills such as listening to stories, singing songs, printing one’s first name and letter recognition • self-help skills such as dressing oneself, learning healthy practices and taking care of one’s own belongings • reasoning skills that include colour and shape recognition, counting, recognizing patterns and simple problem solving. For Barbara Lillico, executive director of the Peterborough Family Resource Centre and Ontario Early Years Centre, "School’s Cool is designed to ensure that all children who participate in the program experience success." "It is especially effective with children who are not yet ready for school, and it produces measurable increases in specific areas of language, reasoning, social skills and self-help," she adds. The course was designed to: • promote successful entry into kindergarten for children aged three to five • balance active learning with structured routines to help prepare children for success in kindergarten • provide daily activities which will support each child’s achievement in key developmental areas • introduce parents to the school system and their role as parents of school-age children • assist children and their parents to build a solid foundation for continuing learning. The dates and locations for School’s Cool programs are: • July 5 - August 12: Grant Sine Public School, Cobourg, and Roseneath Public School, Vincent Massey Public School, Bowmanville • July 6 - August 20: Kent Public School, Campbellford; Brighton Public School; Dr. L.B. Powers Public School, Port Hope; and C.R. Gummow Public School, Cobourg • July 20 - August 26: Keith Wightman
Public School, Peterborough |
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