Dear New Kindergarten Parents, Reading is one of the most important things that you can do with your child. Developing a love of reading increases your child’s success in school. Summer reading programs at your public library are excellent ways to encourage your child to develop a love of reading. Try to take advantage of every opportunity to promote good and enjoyable reading habits. It is important for your child to see you reading as well. Families can choose a time for everyone to read. Choose a quiet place that might be special for reading time. You may also try to do arts and crafts projects that connect to a story you read with your child. Children often lose some of the skills they have learned over the summer. To keep your child’s skills sharp, books like Summer Bridge Actives by Rainbow Bridge Publishing provide a great way to reinforce what the children have learned.  This book is available at Island Art and School Supplies (last year it was also at AC Moore).  This book will help increase ABC letter and sound recognition as well as number recognition. Introduce your child to the many nursery rhymes and classic fairy tales that you grew up on. We also recommend the following authors: Laura Numeroff, Dr. Seuss, Jan Brett, Kevin Henkes, Lois Ehlert, Audrey Wood, and Eric Carle.  Also, there are many exciting topics covered in ABC books and Number books, just ask your librarians. In preparing your child for kindergarten please work on self-help skills. Children should be able to: · Tie shoes (or wear Velcro) · Zip, button, toggle all outwear · Practice opening all lunch containers: snack packs, plastic bottles, drink boxes · Practice cutting with a plastic fork and knife · Practice writing their first and last names appropriately (Patrick Brown not PATRICK BROWN) Supply List for September 2008 8 LARGE glue sticks (1.1 oz or larger preferred) 2 black and white marble composition notebooks (print full name) 2 boxes of tissues 2 rolls of paper towels 4 boxes of baby wipes 1 bottle of hand soap 1 box of gallon size zip lock bags (minimum 25 count) 1 clipboard (print child’s name on back) 1 XL Big Zip Lock Bag (approx. 11 gallon) (Put their full name on it and place supplies in the big zip lock. Bring supplies to orientation.) *Please bring your child’s textbooks and workbooks to orientation. Orientation is on Wednesday, September 3rd at 12 noon. Parents and students must attend. Have a wonderful summer with your child. We look forward to seeing you in September! Love, The Kindergarten Teachers