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by Learning Care Group | April 17, 2013 | Kindergarten Readiness

with Dr. Susan Canizares and Dr. Heather Wittenberg When it comes to making sure your children are ready for Kindergarten, there is a lot to consider. When is the best time to enroll her? How soon is too soon, and how late is too late? How will I know if she is adjusted socially to [...]



by Laura St. John | March 21, 2013 | Kindergarten Readiness

Is your child ready for Kindergarten? Here’s a quick list of 10 Kindergarten readiness skills and fun tips on how you can boost your child’s learning with the technology you use every day. 1. Hone Fine Motor Skills by Using a Computer Mouse – Using the mouse helps build little muscles in your child’s fingers [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | August 22, 2012 | Child Development | Kindergarten Readiness

Talking with you –in real time –is the highlight of my work here. In our latest chat, we brainstormed about getting fun summer schedules under control, and the importance of establishing a strong relationship with your child’s teacher even BEFORE school starts. We also shared how saying goodbye on that first day of school is [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | February 27, 2012 | Kindergarten Readiness

Our third-born started Kindergarten this year. I figured I’d be a pro by now, after surviving the big day twice before. Kid #3 should be easy. Right? Wrong. On the first day of school, our sweet, soulful 5-year-old hung up his backpack, found his desk and solemnly said good-bye to us as if he were [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | February 19, 2012 | Kindergarten Readiness

Will your child be one of the youngest in her Kindergarten class this fall? Or will he be one of the oldest? Whether your child is “early born,” “late born,” or somewhere in between, parents are worrying about finding the “perfect” age to start Kindergarten. The media is full of alarming statistics about supposed benefits [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | February 13, 2012 | Kindergarten Readiness

I couldn’t help noticing Mattie and Sophie, adorable 4-year-old twin girls at our preschool. Obviously fraternal, Mattie had stick-straight hair bejeweled with sparkly clips (and the occasional tiara). She wore her tutu to school daily in hopes of an afternoon ballet lesson. Mattie leapt into action with her friends in the classroom without so much [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | February 6, 2012 | Kindergarten Readiness

In parenting, many decisions are easy: Don’t run into the street. Take turns with your friends. But many of the most important decisions AREN’T easy, including when to start Kindergarten. Will she be ready? Or is it best to wait? When it comes to tricky parenting dilemmas, there usually isn’t a “perfect” decision. Starting Kindergarten [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | August 29, 2011 | Child Development | Kindergarten Readiness

School has started already here in Hawaii, but there’s no aloha in Aiden’s heart. Aiden is a new Kindergartener who started the year with enthusiasm, all ready for his “Big Boy Classroom.”  His first couple of weeks at school were a breeze – he loved his teachers, his classmates and activities.  But all of a [...]



by Pam Schiller, Ph.D. | August 1, 2011 | Kindergarten Readiness

Transitioning into kindergarten can be challenging for children. Children benefit greatly from home support as they enter this new phase of their education. The time and energy you spend helping your child’s first impression to be a positive one is time and energy well spent. Here are a few suggestions that will help make a [...]



by Dr. Heather Wittenberg | April 8, 2011 | Kindergarten Readiness

By Dr. Heather My third child turned five in January. We set up his “Kindergarten Readiness” testing appointment recently, aiming to have him join his big sister and brother at their school this fall. He bravely marched into the classroom for his testing, reaching up to hold the teacher’s hand. I choked back tears. Off [...]