Kindergartners Learn Social Skills, More

Kindergarten is a time for learning to be a student, according to teachers at Noel Primary School.

"In kindergarten you're kind of learning to be a person -- like how to act with your friends, what's appropriate," explained kindergarten teacher Tonya Showah. "They're learning anything from manners to what's appropriate when you're walking down the hallway. They're learning to take turns and have patience."

Several kindergartners shared what they have learned so far this year and why they like school.

Imran Hassan said he has learned his numbers and "I know how to write my name."

Elyxia Burden said she has learned her letters and her numbers. "I love school. I can count to 100," she said.

Emmalyn Woods said she learned to write her name and she likes school because it's fun.

Rayleigh Gilliam said she enjoys art, recess, coloring, playing with her friends and getting to wear her backpack.

Jaydus Flores said, "I love centers the most."

Natalie Medina added, "I love playing on the tablets."

No Rah said she likes to color and play outside with her friends.

"They're working on social skills with them. A lot of them have not had any schooling," said Dr. Deborah Pearson, principal of Noel Primary School. "They have to do things more orderly. They're learning the foundational skills of mathematics and writing. So we do a lot of things repeatedly. We're teaching them to be independent, somewhat. They have to be responsible for their coats and their backpacks. Some of those independent things where they're just growing up. Also we're doing a lot of structured play so they can practice academics. Time becomes a part of their learning. When the kids talk about their centers, that's somewhat like structured play. Getting along and sharing. They're getting exposed to PE, music and art each week. We're developing their gross and fine motor skills. They also have computer and library they do, and just exposure to becoming a student."

Teacher Shannon Matthews said that addition to learning to read, kindergarteners learn to cooperate with each other.

"We learn lots of vocabulary words. Sharing, character traits in general, responsibility, working together, being a good friend -- that's a tricky one," Matthews said. " Taking turns, basic social skills, listening, following instructions, learning how to problem solve, staying on task. Problem solving is the biggest."

Teacher Brett Wary said, "They learn empathy for others. They learn how to cooperate and follow instructions. They're very physical, so they have to learn to control themselves, control their hands, generally be where they need to be and keep control of themselves.

"For our kids it's a challenge to overcome the language barrier. A lot of them are just learning English. It's amazing how fast they learn. And how quickly they pick up on what's expected of them. There's so much learning in kindergarten. A lot of them, it's their first time away from their parents."