Tools kindergarteners need to enter U-46

Submitted by U-46

Elgin Area School District U-46 teachers will be conducting free developmental screenings at the upcoming Hablamos Español Expo at The Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 3. The teachers will conduct the screenings of children from birth to age 5.

The U-46 Early Learners Education Department, other district staff, and community partners are working together to promote the importance of “being ready to learn.” U-46 has developed a plan to increase public and parent awareness of what preschoolers need to do and know before entering kindergarten. The message is “Give Me Five!” and lets parents know what is needed from families, staff and the community in order to prepare preschoolers for kindergarten. The “five” include: Talk, Play, Do, Read, and Register (for kindergarten). Screenings at the event are among the first family outreach activities to promote the new campaign and to work closely with families to prepare their children for kindergarten.

The free 20-30 minute screening consists of games played with the child and information gathered from the parent. The screenings will provide parents a summary of their child’s developmental levels including language, social, and thinking skills and educate parents about the skills that children need to be successful in kindergarten. Teachers will share school district and community learning opportunities for their child and make referrals for further testing if concerns are noted.

For information about the screening or for additional information about school readiness, call the Early Learners Education department at (847) 888-5000, ext. 6970.