Transitional Kindergarten
A Beautiful Launch
Starting school is a tremendous milestone in a child’s life. Bradford Academy is blessed to be seeing the launch of many strong academic careers. Our kindergarten and our transitional kindergarten programs are witnessing young minds awakened and prepared to begin that wonderful journey. However, a question we often hear is “When should I start my child?”
Each child is unique. Research and common sense tell us that children mature at different rates. We are also finding that there are a growing number of students who arrive at kindergarten without the necessary skills to be successful. Consequently, young students find that their earliest experience with school becomes too challenging and discouraging. It is for this reason that Bradford Academy has several different options for families to better assure a beautiful launch!
What is TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN?
Transitional kindergarten (TK) is a unique opportunity for children to ease the transition from home or preschool into kindergarten. There are many similarities to both strong preschool and typical kindergarten programs. However, the key difference is that it looks more like an academic kindergarten than it does a play school or a day care. There are real academic expectations; however, the program also allows students the opportunity to comfortably develop as they move toward kindergarten.
How is TK Different?
- TK moves at a slower pace and includes many activities that are shorter in duration.
- Lessons easily keep the students engaged while moving them forward to more personal self-management.
- TK curriculum allows the time for students to grow cognitively and emotionally.
- With lots of directed play, the program builds confidence while developing fine and gross motor skills.
- The structured environment helps students begin to understand the expectations of a well-ordered classroom community.
These features above work together to set children up for future success in Kindergarten and beyond!
READY to LAUNCH? |
CONSIDER BRADFORD’s TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTENIf you have ever questioned whether your child is ready to launch into a regular school program, consider a year in Bradford Academy’s Transitional Kindergarten. A year in TK will help your child ease into school life while developing the skills to be successful! |
A program for your unique circumstances
Program |
Minimum Age Requirement? |
For whom is this program? |
| TK 3Day
1/2 Day |
4 years old by August 31st |
Four-year-old and young five-year-old students showing academic curiosity. They may not be ready for an academic kindergarten experience but would do well with more focused academics than a typical pre-school. An excellent program to ease the transition to regular school. |
| TK 5Day
1/2 Day |
4 years old by August 31st |
Four-year-old and young five-year-old students showing academic curiosity and are comfortable being out of the home for five mornings. They may not be ready for an academic kindergarten experience but would do well with more focused academics than a typical pre-school. |
| K
1/2 Day |
5 years old by August 31st |
Students ready for an academic kindergarten experience but would do well with a shorter day. These students are beginning to develop the needed skills (fine and gross motor, social, emotional, and letter/number awareness) to be successful in kindergarten. |
| K
Full Day |
5 years old by August 31st |
Students ready for an academic kindergarten experience. These students are beginning to develop the needed skills (fine and gross motor, social, emotional, and letter/number awareness) to be successful in kindergarten. |
Sample Daily Schedule:
7:40 – 8:10: Arrival and Daily Preparation Hang backpacks, sign-in, bring items needed for class. Check for morning jobs and begin morning assignment which will be individually directed activities to build skills needing review.
8:10 – 8:30: Morning Meeting Pledge, Calendar, Weather, name activity, shapes and colors.
8:30 – 9:00: Math Meeting and Centers Introduction of concepts, counting, centers reinforcing new skill and lesson. One center will involve individual instruction with a teacher.
9:00 – 9:30: Theme Adventure Various: Life skills, art, music, science, social study
9:30 – 9:45: Bible Story read by teacher, discuss concept of lesson, prayer, memory verse, role play, activities reinforcing big idea including art, songs and games
9:45 – 10:30: Bathroom Break, Snack and Recess/Free Play
10:30 – 11:15: Literacy Meeting and Centers Read aloud, discuss model, oral language, and vocabulary. Phonemic awareness activity and expanded letter time including handwriting instruction. Centers to follow meeting including one that will involve individual instruction with a teacher.
11:15 – 11:30: Clean Up and Pack Up – Bathroom Break
11:30 – 11:45: Review Meeting Review Concepts, songs, share thankfulness and prayer
11:45 – 12:00: Story read aloud by teacher and dismissal