Success by 6 gives kids skills needed for kindergarten

POLAND

A program new to the school district aims to prepare 14 children for kindergarten at Poland North Elementary.

Success By 6 provides a structured program for children on what they will experience in kindergarten through activities that help them develop social and mental/emotional skills.

The program uses activities focusing on reading, basic math and physical education with a staff of one teacher and classroom aide.

Beyond education and development, Michael Masucci, the program’s administrator and Union Elementary principal, said, “Success By 6 is offering a very enjoyable, yet very structured environment to basically get their feet wet.”

He believes any child with a set routine will be more successful when starting school for the first time. From July 18 to Aug. 11, students attend the program for four hours a day, four days a week, similar to kindergarten.

Masucci said the program’s greatest strength is teaching critical-thinking skills about the rules set for them in school.

Read more about the program in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.