Helping Head Start Teachers Support Children’s School Readiness: Lessons Learned

Abstract

The lessons learned from the Head Start teachers studied inthe Butera et.al. study have important implications for policy andpractice  in Head Start. The importanceof connecting the curriculum used in Head Start to the lives children lead inthe community is apparent. It is also important to integrate activitiesdesigned to support  children’s academicreadiness with those that support children’s social competence especially tothe extent that doing so reflects important values in the community. Finally, it is essential that HeadStart teachers are aware of the importance of identifying children who struggleto learn early so they can be provided with needed support.