In a classroom at Fredonia Elementary School, young children sitting at a computer playing a phonics game; some are shaping objects out of play dough; at another table, they are building with Legos. It is summertime and 20 kids are getting a jump start to kindergarten in the KinderCamp program.<\/p>\n
KinderCamp is funded by the Coconino region to help children with little or no access to preschool prepare for the transition to kindergarten. The strategy gives children an opportunity to catch up on important social and developmental skills that will help as they start school, like raising their hand and learning beside other children. During the summer, 200 children benefited from this positive kindergarten transition program in many Coconino region communities, including Page, Fredonia, Winslow, William and Flagstaff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are learning foundational skills that prepare them for the classroom and help eliminate the achievement gap,\u201d said Robert Kelty, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools. \u201cOur impact is visible when children start their first day excited and ready to start school.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"