family focus >> back to school
Be Ready! from page 36
WEST OAKS II
(across from Twelve Oaks Mall)
43530 West Oaks Drive
Novi, MI • 248.347.6500
:ro
EXPIRES 9/30111
SS1163JNEW
EXPIRES 9/30/11
SS1171JNEW
- Not to be combined with any other offer or discount. Mention • Not to be combined with any other offer or discount. Mention
this offer at time of booking. Must present coupon to redeem. this offer at time of booking. Must present coupon to redeem.
of valid on previously booked parties. Party must be booked — Not valid on previously booked parties. Must complete
b September 30th, 2011. °service b September 30th 2011.
Fresh Cut Flowers • Produce • Organics
Baked Goods • Kid's Crafts • Prepared Foods
Live. Entertainment • Annuals & Perennials
.
38
August 18 2011
aN
All-Inclusive
The readiness kit is pack-
aged in a bright yellow
tote bag and stocked with
basic, fun activities, such
as small building blocks,
an alphabet write-and-
wipe board, activity work
sheets and colored pencils.
The kit has everything
needed to help your child
learn all the skills outlined
in the instruction manual.
Stella Weitzman works with the lacing card.
No looking for those pair
of safety scissors, or find-
ing a ball to throw or basic
skills board to learn how
to use a zipper, button or
tie a lace — they're all in
the kit.
"It's all in one place;
you don't have to run to
the store to get anything:'
Berlin says.
Children as young as 2 1/2
can start the activities in
the kit, the pair says.
— Bee Ready co-creator Jill Berlin
"You can start with 5 to
10 minutes of activities
two-three times a week at that age,"
Berlin says. "An older child aged 3 1/2
Need For Readiness
could be three days a week and add
Berlin administered the Gesell
a little more time."
Developmental Observation test —
Parent and child working together
standard in schools — that screens
is reward enough, but there's the
children for kindergarten.
added benefit of "having the confi-
Although she had noticed a trend
dence and knowing the child has the toward children not being ready for
skills necessary," Berlin adds.
kindergarten, it hit hard one day
As for the child, how wonderful
when, after screening six children,
will it be when he or she goes into
she discovered four were not ready.
kindergarten and realizes she can do
"What could we have done?" the
whatever is asked of her?
parents asked and that was the
Sit for 10 minutes for a story? Not
inspiration behind the Bee Ready
a problem.
Kindergarten Readiness Kit.
"It gives a child confidence to sit
The two teachers met and formed
down in a kindergarten setting and
a working relationship when they
know, 'I can do this,"' Berlin says.
both taught at Conant Elementary
"It's 99 percent of the battle."
School in Bloomfield Hills.
"Most children are curious,"
Berlin started as a high school
Pitcole adds, and the kit activities
teacher, but spent the last 15 years as
encourage exploration and learning
a general education resource teacher.
while identifying the child's learning She and her Israeli husband, Steven,
style.
have two daughters and attend Adat
"It's a parent's job to know what
Shalom Synagogue in Farmington
your child is good at and guide them Hills.
Pitcole of Fenton spent her teach-
to activities where they can excel,"
ing career working with deaf, hard-
Berlin adds.
of-hearing and special education
Mommy blogger Holly Cart at
students. She and her husband,
www.mommysblessings.blogspot.
Larry, have four children.
com is using the Bee Ready learning
Once retired, they put their years
kit with her 3-year-old son. She says
of experience to good use and are
he "truly enjoyed" his "10 minutes
confident the kit will help parents
of 'play' school a day. He is already
prepare their kids for kindergarten.
learning so much."
"The kit has everything you need,
"We want all our little ones to be
just follow the steps:' Berlin adds. 71
ready for the basics of schooling
... and giving the kit a spot in your
Cost of the kit is $89.95 and is available
daily school routine is sure to get
at www.Kreadiness.com .
them there Cart says.
"It gives a child confidence
to sit down in a kinder-
garten setting and know,
`I can do this.' It's 99 per-
cent of the battle."