SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Two U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii (USAG-HI) Child Development Centers (CDC) have been helping children transition from preschool to kindergarten through an Army pilot program called Strong Beginnings Pre-K.
The program was introduced at Aliamanu Military Reservation (AMR) and Schofield Barracks CDCs in February and has produced a total of 71 graduates.
Debra Blanchard, Child, Youth and School Services (CYS2) coordinator, was excited to implement the program, here.
"It's been extremely successful. We want to increase our numbers, and we want to increase awareness," said Blanchard.
Strong Beginnings Pre-K is an Army initiative designed to prepare children for kindergarten. The program has a greater academic focus covering science, math, language/literacy, social studies and physical fitness, preparing the whole child for school success.
"(The program focus) is academic," said Betty Moreno, training and curriculum specialist at Schofield Barracks CDC, "but it still allows children to have choices and build their attention over time."
Choices include difficult decisions such as when to work and when to play.
"The (children) are interested in the schoolwork, and they often choose to do it during 'choice time.' They really enjoy it."
Moreno explains how the children have been been fascinated with writing their letters and making lists.
"We have a word wall and the children enjoy putting up new words on it everyday," she said.
The children are assigned roles and are held responsible for small tasks as a way to help prepare them for the structure of a kindergarten classroom.
The "health inspector" makes sure everyone uses the five steps to wash their hands properly, "a color guard" holds the flag during the pledge of allegiance, or a "botanist" waters and cares for the plants in the classroom.
The Strong Beginnings Pre-K program will soon be available at Army Garrisons worldwide with a standard set of policies and procedures, making it consistent and predictable for all Army families.
Moreno said she's honored to be part of the program and added, "We all wept at the first graduation."
For more information about the Strong Beginnings Pre-K program, contact the Schofield Barracks (655-1819) or Aliamanu Military Reservation (836-7904) CDCs.
Social Sharing