Stella Weitzman, 21/2, of Bloomfield Hills works with the color blocks Looking for an excellent Dance Studio where your child will learn in a nurturing environment? • • • • • • • • • • • • • Confused about where to enroll? Dance training should be a happy experience and have a positive effect on your child. We offer profes- sional training in a sensitive learning atmosphere and strive to instill confidence, self- esteem, and the love of dance in our students. We have earned a far reaching reputation as being two of the finest schools in Michigan and are celebrating over 30 years of success. Our roster of success stories is endless, from the smallest pre-ballet and jazz students to budding ballerinas and Broadway stars, our students are coached to develop the very best technique to attain their maxi- mum potential. Teachers are degreed adult professionals and many are invited to teach at national seminars to train students and teach- ers interested in advancing their technique and teaching skills. Our friendly staff is always available to answer questions and discuss stu- dent's progress. We have a complete program for children and adults for both the serious or recreational student. Dancers may take a drop-in class or register for a complete program. There are no contrac- tual obligations or hidden fees. Multiple class discounts make tuition affordable and master card and visa are accepted. The schools have two performing companies. Participation is elective and not manda- tory. The school's focus is on good training and all students benefit equally. For additional information regarding registration and faculty, please visit our website at www.rochesterschoolofdance.com . Cornelia's School of Dance 3080 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor (248)681-5376 Rochester School of Dance 1800 S. Livernois Rochester Hills (248)652-3117 36 August 18 2011 and pattern sheets of the Bee Ready learning kit with Jill Berlin of West Bloomfield. Be Ready! Educational kit helps parents prepare their kids for kindergarten. Dolly Moiseeff Special to the Jewish News T here was a time when all a kid had to do to get into kinder- garten was show up. That's not the case today. Schools have a long list of requirements for youngsters that rate motor skills, read- ing readiness, knowledge of numbers and social skills. Kindergarteners need to be able to recite the alphabet, write num- bers from 1-20, name the days of the week, listen to a story quietly, retell a familiar story and complete puzzles containing 10-15 pieces — and that's just to start. There's a lot for a little kid to know by the time that school bell rings. It might take some effort on a parent's part, Jill Berlin of West Bloomfield will tell you, but she and her business partner, Ellen Pitcole of Fenton, have gathered the tools needed to get the job done. They have pooled their combined 45 years of teaching experience and created the Bee Ready Kindergarten Readiness Kit, filled with activities parents can do with their children to develop kindergarten skills. "Kids are coming to kindergarten less prepared:' Berlin says. And it has everything to do with lifestyle. Up until a generation ago, kids spent more time outdoors, playing hopscotch, run- ning around, playing games and using their imaginations. Today children watch television, videos and use cell phones, which may engage their minds but fail to develop motor skills. When kids are evaluated for kin- dergarten, they are asked to do basic things, like hop on both feet, hop on one foot and then the other. It's sur- prising, Berlin says, how often a child can't do all three. Generally, a child who is not ready could begin in a developmental class- room. "We've got to get back to basics',' she adds."It's all about engaging kids in fun activities. If a person is involved and engaged, learning becomes a natural process:' Be Ready! on page 38