\u201cThis is an awesome kindergarten that meets children where they are and integrates their interests into classroom activities. It has been the PERFECT place for my “reading but not old enough for kindergarten” kindergartener.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> \u2013Ann Taylor, alumni junior kindergarten parent<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n Families have some big decisions to make when deciding upon primary school entry To be eligible for traditional kindergarten at the ELC as well as in Knox County public schools, children must turn five years old prior to August 15th<\/sup> of the year they are to begin kindergarten. At the ELC, we know that a birthday alone does not dictate which grade\/group placement is best for all children. We are pleased to offer spaces in our kindergarten classroom for children that don\u2019t meet the age requirements for traditional kindergarten. Our administrative team and educators work closely with each family to determine if a junior kindergarten placement would be a good fit for their child.<\/p>\n While each individual child is unique and has his or her own own set of interests, experiences, and needs, there are a few commonalities among our junior kindergarteners. Typically, children entering junior kindergarten:<\/p>\n The junior kindergarten year gives children time to grow and develop in an intellectually rigorous classroom that employs the same philosophy and values as the rest of the ELC program. Play, project and nature based learning practices are at the core of curriculum development. Children\u2019s curiosities play a large role in the classroom and teachers work to incorporate the children\u2019s theories and questions into classroom investigations. The social and emotional development of the junior kindergarteners remains a high priority for the kindergarten educators as they work to help children form and build relationships with others, hone their emotional intelligence, become more responsible and independent, and build confidence.<\/p>\n Children deeply engage in the typical academic subjects through in-depth studies of language and literacy concepts, mathematical thinking, scientific reasoning, social studies and the arts. We believe that a strong foundation in these academic areas is crucial to understanding complex and abstract concepts and skills that build as they move through elementary school and beyond. Junior kindergarteners spend a lot of time exploring and building on these foundations alongside their kindergarten-aged peers during their year with us. Children leave the junior kindergarten year with abundant experiences and practice with early academic concepts that have been explored in the context of small group work, project-based explorations, writer\u2019s workshop, and in-depth investigations of their own theories and interests. They are confident in their own abilities and are ready to embark on their next school adventure.![\"webkk25\"](\"http:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/elc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2016\/10\/webkk25-300x200.jpg\")
for their young children. We\u2019ve heard it called \u201cThe Great Kindergarten Conundrum\u201d and we couldn\u2019t agree more. Junior kindergarten may offer a solution for some families with not-yet-five-year-olds or children with late summer birthdays.<\/p>\nJunior Kindergarten Commonalities <\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Junior Kindergarten Benefits <\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"webdsc_0050\"](\"http:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/elc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2016\/10\/webDSC_0050-200x300.jpg\")
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