September is the Month of the Kindergartener, thanks to a bill signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2019. This month offers a chance to celebrate this extremely valuable stage in our lives as learners. Each year, this is such a special time for educators to rejuvenate their intentional focus on strong beginnings for children – whether it be the beginning of kindergarten, third grade, middle school, or high school. This season, with its fresh starts, makes me think about my niece Angelina’s first month of kindergarten. It’s amazing to think that in such a brief period of time, she has grown from an excited and nervous young girl (whose backpack looks bigger than she is) to a confident and capable school kid.
Angelina and her parents transitioned well into elementary school with the help of family connection meetings, and the collaboration between her preschool and kindergarten teachers before school even started. It’s clear this positive start early on helped her hit the ground running to thrive and grow tremendously throughout kindergarten.
When I think about the 80,000 children who start kindergarten every year in Washington, I wonder about their initial experiences and how those experiences shape their learning for the next 13 years and beyond. Luckily, many of my friends are kindergarten teachers and are also some of the most patient and supportive people I’ve come across. It’s clear they are poised to work with young learners, based on the strengths and needs revealed through the WaKIDS assessment, to develop and grow throughout school in many areas of learning. My friends have shared with me how important it is to spend time during this first year helping students learn academic skills as well as social and emotional skills through opportunities for purposeful play. With a full day to engage with these young learners, there is time to dedicate to this solid foundation.
Kindergarten is an utterly unique, precious, and sometimes challenging time when children, parents, and teachers begin to establish relationships, routines, and understandings that will support them as they move through school. I’m incredibly grateful Angelina has received support from the phenomenal teachers and systems in place to give her a strong start. And I, for one, am thrilled to celebrate kindergarteners throughout this season and beyond!
