Twenty-five years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote a book called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten that became a number one New York Times bestseller. This collection of essays is a reminder of all the truths of life that find their roots in those foundational years of kindergarten.
In today’s culture, most kindergarten children have already started to gain an understanding of the basics: identifying letters, numbers, shapes and colors and being able to write their name. However, in kindergarten a new world of social and emotional experiences soon enters their lives.
The reality that they are not always the center of attention is a difficult, but necessary lesson to learn both as a kindergartener and as an adult. The value of sharing, kindness and honesty are all important concepts to learn, along with their ABCs and one, two, three’s.
It is in this stage of early development that children begin to learn how to take on the challenges of life with either confidence or doubt. They have a developing sense of personal independence. And, depending on the influences in their life, they will hopefully learn how to make wise choices and become self-disciplined. Much of their foundational moral code is internalized in these early years. Their core values about authority, friendships, learning and possessions will find their beginnings here. The value a child places on learning in their early elementary years is almost always the same value they will have in their high school years. During the middle years, they may seem to lose some of their focus as they move through puberty, but when they come through the other end there is that same child again.
So what’s so important about kindergarten? Just about everything! What an important time to make sure these years are spent in an environment that will encourage the values and character traits you want to see in your child, not only at five, but also at 18.
Serving grades K-12, Santa Clarita Christian School seeks to pursue academic excellence, promote spiritual growth, and encourage character development in order to produce students who are prepared to make a difference in the world for God.
To schedule a tour today call 661-252-7371. For more information, visit www.sccs.cc or www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaChristianSchool.