The St.

Clair College Sports Plex

with one of the best athletic
facilities in the province of Ontario
The St. Clair
College Centre
of the Arts
 Kathie Tait-Rayner

HBSc. (Ecology), BEd. (Primary/Junior)

ECE for fifteen years with YMCA
Infant, toddler, preschool, schoolage, supervisor,
curriculum consultant
ECE Professor at St. Clair College
MEd (in process Inquiry Based Learning)
 My family
Husband Chrisalso an ECE, works for
Ministry of Education...passion is basketball

Daughter Kasie15 years oldpassion is

acting
Son Matthew12 years oldpassion is
basketball
 Kindergarten in School System
One qualified teacher ( 5 years university
minimum) and one ECE working together in a
classroom with a maximum of 30 children26
is the preferred number
Full day, Monday-Friday
 Early Childhood Education
Two year college diploma
Register with college of ECE upon completion
of program, continuous professional learning
Clear criminal reference check at all times
First aid and CPR trained
Getting ready for
kindergarten
Reading with your Children
Understanding Emotions
What are the benefits
of supporting children
with their emotional
intelligence skills when
they are young?
 Its more than just
being a smart
student
Intellectual intelligence (IQ) isnt enough
on its own to be successful in life. Yes,
your IQ can help you in school on an
academic level, but its your emotional
intelligence (EI) that will help you
manage the stress and emotions that are
a big part of school and life.
 Strategies to Strengthen Emotional Intelligence:
1. Encourage children to express their emotions.

2. Acknowledge childrens emotions.

3. Be quiet sometimes and let the child talk.

4. Teach children how to problem solve.

5. Set up the childrens environment to promote

open-ended play, cooperation and problem solving.
The Six Steps of Conflict Resolution:
1. Approach calmly, stopping any hurtful actions.
2. Acknowledge children's feelings.
3. Gather information.
4. Restate the problem.
5. Ask for solutions and choose one together.
6. Be prepared to give follow-up support.
Play.Play.Play..Play.

Children learn through play

Maria Montessorichildren are natural

mathematiciansif they have appropriate
materials they will naturally engage in math
Counting -Measurement
Sorting - Classifying
Play.Play.Play..Play.

Communication Skills

Physical Skills
-gross motor
-fine motor
 Observation and Play
Through observing play the teachers can learn
a lot about each individual child.
Each child will have a unique developmental
pattern and the teachers will learn what the
children are interested in and what their
strengths are
The goal of kindergarten is to support the
childs development in all areas of growth
 Looking and Seeing
Lookingsafety, how they are feeling

Seeingunderstanding the childrens thought

processes, motivations, goals (takes time)
 Getting through the first week
Talk about kindergarten, drive passed itplay
on the playground structuretake a picture of
it and put in on your fridge at home
Label everything with your childs name
Reassure your child you will be there at the
end of the day (pictures, bracelets, keys)
Talk to your childrens teachersyour child will
see your relationship and be comforted by it
 Conversations with your Child

How was your day?

What did you do in the gym today?

Who did you play with at play time?
 Conversations with your Teacher
Partnerships

Let them know if something is happening at

home
Thank you for inviting me to your
school.
Kathie