Four-Year-Old Kindergarten began on September 2, 2008, for around eighty children. Columbus has a long history of Four-Year-Old Kindergarten that began in the 1930ís. Instruction to four-year-old children took a hiatus in recent years but resumed following Labor Day, 2008. Wisconsin has standards for instruction at each grade level including Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. The standards for four-year-olds are known as Early Learning Standards. Curriculum is consistent from one site to another. It is anticipated that movement between sites will be rare. If movement occurs, however, curriculum is standard across Columbus kindergartens.
Each Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program is staffed by compassionate, encouraging individuals who have clear expectations for growth and confidence. Each staff person places a high premium on safety, insight, and development. A typical day includes some of the following: sharing and taking turns, listening and following directions, playing cooperatively, and not hurting self or others. Mathematics skills include counting, recognizing and naming shapes, recognizing patterns, recognizing numbers, and ordering objects smallest to largest. Language practice emphasizes communicating, phonemic awareness, recognizing rhyming words, telling and retelling stories, as well as recognizing the letters of one’s name. Physical development activities will emphasize strength, control, balance, and coordination. To accomplish this, activities such as skipping, jumping, catching, and throwing are practiced. Self-help includes taking care of personal belongings, taking off and putting on outer clothing, hand washing, and cleaning up. A typical day includes other emphasis areas such as movement activities, using one’s imagination, and incorporating routines and schedules.
Each program includes a half-day of instruction. That instruction helps ensure equity in education and development for Columbus four-year-olds.
