Higher Expectations for Kindergarteners

A recent NPR story, Why Kindergarten Is The New First Grade, describes teacher expectations for kindergarteners. Researchers compared teachers’ expectations in 1998 and 2010, and found significant shifts. Fully 80 percent in the latter group expect pupils will learn to read during the kindergarten year. Along with social-emotional development, health and wellness and other key areas, quality early learning programs provide the opportunity to nurture young children’s pre-literacy skills.