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Surf’s Up workshop for pre-K and kinder parents

The first day of pre-K and kindergarten has passed, but everything about school is still new for the district’s littlest learners. And it’s still brand new for many of the parents, too. It’s not just the young students who are learning lots of new things – parents are also learning how to support their children in this new stage of life.

But unlike the students, the parents don’t have teachers to guide them.

Until now.

91��Ƭ��’s early childhood learning department held its first workshop for pre-K and kinder parents to help parents help their children have a successful year at school and at home.

“We believe in the power of school and community partnerships, and we understand the importance of extending the teaching experience beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 91��Ƭ�� director of early childhood learning. “Parents play an essential role in their children’s education, and a solid and close partnership between schools and parents enriches a child’s learning experience.”

The workshop – Surf’s Up: Navigating Pre-K and Kindergarten Together – offered a series of workshop classes for parents and caregivers all taught by early childhood learning experts in the 91��Ƭ��. Topics included developmental milestones, how to provide emotional support, developing routines, what parents of pre-K and kinder students need to know and even potty training.

“It was a great experience,” Orsini said. “We connected with our early childhood families in a very different way. The event allowed us to deliver a more personalized experience with topics that parents had many questions about. Families stayed until the end, they all left with resources and good information and many left with prizes.”

After the classes, parents and caregivers had a chance to spend time networking and getting to know each other.

“During the networking session, many of the parents expressed their appreciation for being provided a place to learn, connect with other families and have the opportunity to become a partner in their kids’ educational journey,” Orsini said.

It’s not too late

If you have a 3-, 4- or 5-year-old who isn’t enrolled in 91��Ƭ��’s pre-K or kindergarten yet, it’s not too late. You can start the registration process online here. And if you have any questions about pre-K or kindergarten, feel free to reach out to the early childhood learning team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.