Five Essential Elements of School Readiness

1. Early Care and Education

2. Parenting and Family Support

3. Health and Social Services

4. Schools' Readiness for Children/School Capacity

5. Program Infrastructure, Administration and Evaluation

Children's School Readiness is affected by the early care and learning experiences they receive. The research in brain development emphasizes that early learning (especially from birth to five) directly influences a child's ability to learn and succeed in school. These studies have contributed to a growing awareness of the importance of quality early education and prekindergarten experiences. Research indicates that preschoolers who attend high quality programs:

• Enter kindergarten with skills necessary for school success.
• Show greater undersatnding of verbal and numerical concepts.
• Are more socially competent.
• Show ability to stay with an activity longer.
• Are more likely to make typical progress through the primary grades.
• Are less often placed in special education classes.
• Are less likely to be retained in kindergarten.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Young children need social emotional competencies. These skills are acquired through the development of close relationships, shared conversations and a nurturing environment. Preschool teachers guide children in learning social skills that include responsibility and self control. Social emotional skills are developed through the shared activities a of developmentally appropriate well designed preschool classroom environment. Preschool social emotional components are:

• Self awareness and regulation
• Social emotional understanding
• Empathy and caring
• Initiative in learning
• Interactions with familiar adults and peers
• Group participation
• Cooperation