For many parents in Chilliwack, sending a child off to kindergarten for the first time is a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Denise Moore, preschool manager at Central Sockeye Preschool, knows the feeling well from her own experience as a young parent. This year, she turned that understanding into action, creating a novel program to smooth the path for dozens of local youngsters.
Building Bridges to 'Big School'
Moore launched Kindergarten Connections, a three-day initiative designed to help her 37 students, aged three to five, prepare for their upcoming move to Chilliwack Central Elementary in the fall. This transition can be daunting, as the elementary school is considerably larger, with three kindergarten classrooms welcoming about 60 new students annually.
"Between making friends, learning the layout of a new building, and mastering practical skills like using the washroom independently or opening their lunch containers, it can be a lot for a young child," Moore explained. Her goal was to make the switch to "big school" less intimidating and more fun for both children and their parents.
Learning Through Play and Exploration
The program, which received crucial funding from the Raise-A-Reader campaign, unfolded over several months in early 2024. It kicked off in February with a combined lunch for morning and afternoon preschoolers and their parents, fostering a sense of community. The group then took a walk to the public library, where each child received their very own library card.
In April, a literacy-focused session was held, followed by a numeracy session in May that featured a counting book with dinosaurs. A cornerstone of the literacy component was the classic picture book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, which teaches the alphabet through a playful story of letters climbing a coconut tree.
"It was one of the most popular books with the children in preschool," said Moore. Each child received a copy to take home. The program's philosophy is firmly rooted in the power of play. "We know children learn best through play," Moore emphasized.
During visits to their future kindergarten classrooms, stations were set up for engaging, play-based activities. These included a Play-Doh station where children could shape letters and a STEM-inspired challenge where they experimented with balancing letters on a model coconut tree.
A Foundation for Future Success
The Raise-A-Reader funds were instrumental in purchasing books, toys, equipment, and supplies for the event. In addition to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, children received other resources to support their early learning journey at home.
This marked the inaugural year for Kindergarten Connections at Central Sockeye Preschool, born from discussions between Moore, the school district, and early learning committees about the importance of building strong relationships with young families. Moore hopes it is not the last, seeing the program as a vital step in helping children and parents feel integrated and confident as they enter the formal school system.
By combining practical familiarization with the school environment, hands-on literacy and numeracy activities, and the essential element of play, the program aims to transform the kindergarten milestone from a source of anxiety into an adventure filled with wonder and readiness.
