Kindergarten Readiness Training and Support is a NH State PIRC Early Learning Initiative  aimed at preparing all young students for success in kindergarten.  The design is to provide technical assistance, training, and support to early care/education providers and community members in efforts to improve the quality of early learning opportunities and to support successful transitions for young children entering school, as well as engaging the broader community in sharing the responsibility for preparing our youngest children to enter kindergarten with a strong foundation for academic success. According to the National Education Goals Panel of 1995 the definition of School Readiness has three critical components. 1. Readiness of children for the social and academic institution of school 2. Readiness of families and communities to prepare children for school 3. Readiness of schools to meet the diverse needs of incoming students and their families The NH State PIRC offers two high-value, relevant workshop Train-the-Trainer Sessions that are ideal for teachers, childcare/preschool professionals, and community members, so they can, in turn, provide kindergarten readiness training, including language and literacy skill development to parents of three to five year old children. Training participants receive all of the materials needed to conduct the workshops, including a trainer’s manual with workshop materials, training notes, discussion points, and handouts in reproducible format. • Kindergarten Readiness - A child’s first experience in school is very important to all parents and to their child’s success. This interactive workshop will identify ways parents can engage with their children in order to help them get ready for Kindergarten. Topics of discussion include: Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills, Visual Discrimination, Memory, Early Math, Social Skills, Health, and Language. • Pre-Kindergarten Literacy and Language - This interactive workshop helps parents understand the five key language concepts and how a child learns to read with hands on activities and ideas on how one can be more involved with helping children gain a love for reading. Topics of discussion include language development, early reading, using books and early writing. For information about attending an upcoming K Readiness workshop in your area, contact vbodden@nhpirc.org. For more information about Train-the-Trainer sessions and certification, visit this page or contact:  Karen Gerdts, NH State PIRC  kgerdts@nhpirc.org 603-848-5667.     The NH Parents Make the Difference website is a collaboration between the Parent Information Center of NH and the NH Department of Education.  This website is supported with funding from the US Department of Education through the NH State PIRC grant of the Natonal PIRC program. © 2010 The Parent Information Center of NH Click to download “I’m Ready For School When” Created by Parent-Teacher Team at Valley View School Also available in Spanish