If your child will be attending kindergarten this fall, mark your calendar for:

Kids: Sit on a real school bus Take part in a live radio broadcast Meet crossing guards and other community helpers Enjoy art projects, live performances and story times Receive a free book, t-shirt and more While supplies last Receive free vision, hearing, speech and language screenings

Parents/Caregivers: Meet local child development experts Ask health & immunization questions

No registration is required.
Please continue to check here for more details as they are confirmed.

What is Kindergarten!...Here I Come!?

Kindergarten...Here I Come is modeled after a very successful program called “Countdown to Kindergarten” started in Boston. August 2005 marked its first year here at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Each year adds new excitement for the kids and valuable information for parents/caregivers. Our mission is to celebrate this milestone not just of children, but of their parents as well. The event is designed to help children and parents facilitate a healthy transition and strengthen the idea that community support is essential in healthy child development. This helps to set the stage for strong academic success by building character and emotional well-being. KHIC is a collaborative effort with many of our region’s top organizations in early childhood education. Experts in nutrition, after school programs, bullying, proper immunization and other areas of concern are on hand at the event to answer questions for parents and provide age-appropriate activities for the children to enjoy and preserve. This year's children will take home "Class of 2022" t-shirts and kindergarten story books, and make a craft for their first memories of school such as memory books, dreamcatchers and self-portraits. Each year gives us the opportunity to improve this community event in an effort to help create a brighter future for our children.

Special Points of Interest: Many educators support the belief that there are eight different areas of a child’s intelligence. These areas are: music, word, picture, body, people, nature, number/reasoning and self-smart. Shared resources make a greater impact on the community Readiness efforts help to strengthen the family connection Sponsored by:

Partners Beginning with Books Better Kids Care—PSU Extension Blind & Vision Rehab Service of Pgh Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Easter Seals of Western PA Family Communications Family Links Judy Dodd, Pitt / Giant Eagle PAEYC Pittsburgh Public Schools Reading is FUNdamental Saturday Light Brigade Joe Wos (ToonSeum)

August 9, 2008 - Our Fourth Celebration

Much like out past three years, this year brought many exciting activities. With the very generous support of nowU Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program, our event was a complete success. To celebrate the opening of the 2008 Olympics, we added nutrition and back-to-school Olympic games. Once again children had a chance to sit on a real school bus, meet a crossing guard, hear stories, create many crafts, have vision, hearing, speech and language screenings and get prepared for this exciting day. They got the chance to meet a very special guest, Mr. McFeely of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood , who has joined us at KHIC every year. He gave away books, cassettes and a lot of memories to parents and children. To preserve the memory of this event, the children received "Class of 2021” t-shirts and kindergarten readiness book, and had the opportunity to make their own memory book of their kindergarten experiences. Parents were given an opportunity to collect valuable resources from our partners to take home to read at their convenience. The Children's Museum even opened at 9:00 am just for KHIC guests and their families to collect their passports, maps and other information.

Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

Many parents battle this question and place an unnecessary burden on the long-term effects of the decision. This is not to understate the emotional aspect to any decision we make for our children. Parents want their children to be happy, healthy and bright individuals. The problem with this question is that it has no simple, yes or no answer. While there is always new research evaluating this issue, you must always know that your child is not a statistic, he/she is an individual. As a parent, you will always be your child’s first teacher. This also means that you know your child better than anyone. Trust your own instincts. Also consider the fact that children grow emotionally, mentally and socially at a very rapid pace. Taking this into consideration, know that if you are trying to make a decision in January for a Fall enrollment, your child may be a very different person. This does not mean that everything about your child will change; it only means that they are constantly evolving into who they are.

When you have decided to enroll your child, there are always things that you can do to prepare them:

• Keep them excited about their new journey. Many schools will allow a new student to meet the teacher or at least see the classroom in advance of their first day. This will help to dispel any anxieties about what their classroom will be like.
  
  
• Read to your child often. This can never be emphasized enough. Besides creating a warm, nurturing environment for your child, it helps children to become better readers. This can promote the beginning of a love of books for a lifetime. There are an amazing number of books for children about many issues that may distressing for your child. Mister Rogers has some wonderful books about riding a school bus and other events that can be frightening which help them see it as an adventure rather than an apprehension. Your local librarian is a wonderful resource for unlocking your child’s new area of discovery.
  
  
• Help your child to see learning as fun. Many child specialists support the concept that “play is a child’s work” and many schools have adapted this concept into their kindergarten curriculum. Math is a subject that can be picked up without the child even realizing how much they are learning. Have your child begin to set the table and count out the plates, glasses, etc. Most board games give children an opportunity to learn to count, and often add. When you play a game with two die, you will be amazed how quickly 6+6 can be answered. Mixing food colors is a great way for children to understand color blends. These types of opportunities are infinite. Keep them simple, keep them fun, do it as a family and your child will have a positive experience.