What is a Kindergarten Readiness Theme Bag?
Each bag contains six books that will help your child learn concepts like the alphabet and numbers and gain important social skills. Share the joy of reading together and help your child get ready for kindergarten.
Reading aloud the books to your child is an excellent way to increase your child's speaking and listening skills and develop comprehension and word knowledge. The theme bags are great starting points for nurturing your child's lifelong love of reading.
Borrowing Information
- Theme Bags are available at all Richmond Public Library branches.
- Loan period: 28 days
- Late fees: $1 per day
- Search in the catalogue by typing "theme bags". You can reserve them online for pick up at a convenient location.
- For more info, please call (604) 231-6412 or email kids@yourlibrary.ca
Thank You to Our Sponsor
Our theme bag collection was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Ministry Of Children and Family Development.What are the Themes?
There are 22 themes, some of which are general topics, and others cover specific subjects children will encounter in kindergarten.
Kindergarten Readiness:
General Themes:
Best Picture Books • Canadian Authors • Food and Nutrition • Growing Up • New Baby in the House • Seasons
How Do I Know If My Child is Ready for Kindergarten or Not?
The following websites have various checklists to help you see if your child is ready for kindergarten. The lists have suggested skills that are important for a child to have before he/she enters kindergarten.
» FamilyEducation.com: Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
» North Vancouver School District: Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
» BC Family Hearing Resource Society: Get Ready for Kindergarten (PDF)
Fun Websites for Kids
Enchanted Learning
Printable preschool and kindergarten activities related to the alphabet, numbers, colouring, animals, crafts and more.
PBS Kids
Videos, games and activities featuring characters from your favourite PBS shows, including Thomas the Tank Engine, Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, Arthur, and more!
Nick Jr.
Hundreds of online games, crafts and colouring pages starring Nick Jr. characters, including Dora the Explorer, Ni Hao, Kai-Ian, Toot & Puddle, Diego and Backyardigans.
Full-Day Kindergarten
Did you know the Richmond School District will begin implementing full-day kindergarten in 20 schools starting in September 2010?
By September 2011, all elementary schools in Richmond will have full-day kindergarten.
- Pamphlet for parents (available in different languages)
- Frequently asked questions about full-day kindergarten
Borrow a theme bag home today! Our theme bags are ideal in helping your child get ready for school.
What Will My Child Learn in Kindergarten?
There are five main areas of focus:
Play Nicely! Social Responsibility:
Children will learn to interact appropriately with increasing independence and self-confidence in learning situations and take increasing responsibility for materials and behaviour.
Tell Me More! Oral Language:
They will use speaking and listening when engaging in exploratory and imaginative play to express themselves, exchange ideas, ask questions and to expand their spoken and listening vocabulary.
Let's Read a Book Together! Reading & Viewing:
Children will engage in reading-like behaviour and will become aware of the connection between, reading, writing, and oral language.
Draw Me a Story! Writing & Representing:
Children will participate in writing / representing experiences using emergent symbols (picture, oral description, letters) to communicate meaning.
How Can We Find Out How Many? Numeracy:
Children will explore mathematical ideas such as problem solving, number, and space, with materials which are used in everyday life.
Excerpt from the Richmond School District website.
