In weighing universal pre-kindergarten, Delaware monitors test model in Md. delawareonline.com The News Journal:
"ELKTON, Md. -- Since beginning pre-kindergarten a month ago, 4-year-old Emilie Beal has started asking to help make the family grocery list. She points out words and asks mother Stephanie Beal how to spell them."
"She's more excited, I think, because the class is doing more activities she wants to do," Beal said. "It's just gotten her more involved in wanting to learn."
Emilie's pre-kindergarten classroom at the Family Education Center in Cecil County is one of 10 in a pilot program testing the feasibility of offering pre-kindergarten to all Maryland 4-year-olds, not just those in low-income or special-needs situations.
As Emilie and her classmates play games that teach basic reading and math, they are taking part in a national initiative to better prepare children for elementary school.
"They are not napping in kindergarten; it is academic all day," said Susan Banker, program coordinator for Cecil County's Judy Center, another pilot classroom. "It's the new first grade."
"ELKTON, Md. -- Since beginning pre-kindergarten a month ago, 4-year-old Emilie Beal has started asking to help make the family grocery list. She points out words and asks mother Stephanie Beal how to spell them."
"She's more excited, I think, because the class is doing more activities she wants to do," Beal said. "It's just gotten her more involved in wanting to learn."
Emilie's pre-kindergarten classroom at the Family Education Center in Cecil County is one of 10 in a pilot program testing the feasibility of offering pre-kindergarten to all Maryland 4-year-olds, not just those in low-income or special-needs situations.
As Emilie and her classmates play games that teach basic reading and math, they are taking part in a national initiative to better prepare children for elementary school.
"They are not napping in kindergarten; it is academic all day," said Susan Banker, program coordinator for Cecil County's Judy Center, another pilot classroom. "It's the new first grade."