Each child is unique and will have his or her own strengths and challenges when it comes to developing kindergarten readiness. There are some general developmental milestones that children will reach in their own time and at their own pace.
On some recent Learn and Play with Mrs. A radio shows, I interviewed a music producer, a mathematics professor, an art therapist, a physical fitness coach, and a scientist. I asked each of them, if children needed to be born with a music, a math, a sports, an art, or a science gene. Or if we needed to enroll children in all these activities so they could experience them. The answer? No. While children will have gifts and talents, all of these experts talked about giving children two things: time and opportunity.
As children play they will explore how their bodies move, how shapes and sizes fit together, and what happens when they pour water from one container to another. They will sing and dance to music and create pictures and sculptures with art and other materials.
Time and opportunity are two aspects of play. Play needs time for a child to explore and create and a variety of opportunities. Often, even very young children will communicate to parents and caregivers what they enjoy most and is important to them. A play-of-the-day for today is just that, to play. What kinds of clues about a child’s uniqueness can we notice? What toys does a child choose? How does s/he play with them? What kind of reactions and questions are there? Most importantly, what kinds of time and opportunity would support each child’s development?
P.S. How do you catch a unique rabbit? A. You ‘neak up on it.
Q. How do catch a tame rabbit? A. Tame way.