California Schools Now Offer Free Preschool For 4
California Schools Now Offer Free Preschool For 4
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Every 4-year-old in California can now go to school for free in their local districts. The new grade is called transitional kindergarten — or TK — and it’s part of the state’s effort to expand universal preschool.
In 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature moved to expand transitional kindergarten in a $2.7 billion plan so that all 4-year-olds could attend by the 2025-26 school year.
(Prior to this, TK was only available for kids who missed the kindergarten age cutoff by a few months). While it’s not mandatory for students to attend, districts must offer them as an alternative to private preschool.
As a free option, it can save parents a lot of money. Parentsalso must weighhow sending their kids into a school-based environment compares to a preschool they might already know and like, as well as other needs like all-day care, andhow much play their child does.
a و to و and – تفاصيل مهمة
One big question we’ve heard: What do kids actually do and learn in a TK classroom? Educators say it’s intended to emphasize play, but what does that mean?
To help parents get a better sense of this new grade as they make their decisions, LAist reporters spent the day in three different classrooms across the Southland. Here are five things we saw children do.
Get used to the structure and routines of school
For many students, transitional kindergarten is their first introduction to a formal school preschool setting. Crystal Ramirez sent her 4-year-old to TK at Marguerita Elementary School in Alhambra, so he could get used to the rhythm and rigors of school.
“I didn’t wanna put him straight into kindergarten when he was five, six, so he at least knows a routine, already,” she said. “Now, as soon as he sees that we’re in school, he loves it.”
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TK students, like other elementary school students, follow a schedule: morning bell, recess, lunch, second recess and dismissal. They’re also learning how to listen to instructions or stand in a line. Some are learning to go to the cafeteria for lunch.
“ I wanna make sure that their first experience in a public school setting is one that is joyful, where they feel loved, where they feel welcomed, where they get to really transition nicely into like the rigor of the school,” said Lauren Bush, a TK teacher at Lucille Smith Elementary in Lawndale.
Claudia Ralston, a TK teacher at Marguerita Elementary, said it can be hard for young kids to get up early and leave their moms and dads. But seven weeks in, many of her students have learned their routines already. She helps with the morning transitions by turning on soft instrumental music in the classroom, and allowing them free play until they regroup on the mat to discuss the day.
“They’re four years old. I want them to feel safe at school, know that this is a special place for learning and that they play,” she said.
the و they و that – تفاصيل مهمة
Learn how to socialize and communicate
In TK,social-emotionallearning is a big part of the curriculum. That’s a fancy word, but it just means they’re learning how to be in touch with their emotions
At Price Elementary in Downey, the teacher has her kids give an affirmation: “I am safe. I am kind. I matter.
I make good choices. I can do hard things. All of my problems have solutions!” (They also have these sentences on classroom wall signs.)
The children also learn how to interact with their peers. In some schools, there are no assigned desks so the kids can learn how to share the space.
I و the و kids – تفاصيل مهمة
“ They’re able to problem solve. They’re able to use communication to get their needs, regulating their emotions. They do better than students who come in without this experience,” said Cristal Moore, principal at Lucille Smith Elementary.
On the playground, a student named Ava told teacher assistant Lizbeth Orozco that another student pushed her.
“How did that make you feel?” Orozco asked.
“Mad!”
student و Orozco و that – تفاصيل مهمة
Orozco encouraged Ava to express her feelings to her classmate.
“ We give them options of how to solve a problem and then they go in and solve it themselves,” Orozco said. “If they need extra help, they always come back and we can help them.”
Arguing over toys can be a common occurrence in a TK classroom. At Price Elementary in Downey, educators help kids work through a solution. On a recent morning, one 4-year-old used two tongs to pick up paper shapes in a sensory bin, leaving another kid upset.
“What’s the rule about sharing?” asked Alexandria Pellegrino, a teacher who gives extra support for one TK classroom.
a و in و and – تفاصيل مهمة
The boy handed over a tong to his peer. “Thank you so much for being a good friend,” Pellegrino said.
“(It’s) about being kind friends and making friends and using our manners. So we do build that foundation at the beginning of the year,” said Samantha Elliot, the classroom’s lead instructor.
At the end of the day in Alvarez’s Lawndale TK class, she counts up the stars next to each student’s name earned throughout the day — earned for positive behavior like being kind, solving problems, trying something challenging, or showing effort in other ways. Ten stars earns a small prize from the treasure chest.
“If we don’t get something today are we going to get mad?” Alvarez asked the class.
the و we و being – تفاصيل مهمة
“No!” they responded.
“I’m not going to cry!” one boy piped up, followed by his classmate and a “Me too!” from another student.
“That’s (a) positive attitude,” Alvarez said. “Because tomorrow you can get stars!”
Get exposed to numbers, shapes, letters
In Elliot’s TK class, students use their own little lightsabers to trace letters in the air.
to و letters و “I’m – تفاصيل مهمة
“They’re learning the letter, the sound, and then a little action to go with it. They’re wiggling and moving and they’re also learning those letter sounds and they don’t really realize, so it’s incorporating instruction,” she said.
There’s no mandated curriculum in TK, but instruction is supposed to align with the state’sPreschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations. “Kindergarten is basically where the state standards go and kick in. There are standards in TK, but it’s a little bit different,” said Tom Kohout, principal at Marguerita Elementary.
Students might put playdough into letter molds, or the teacher might pull out toys from a bag that all start with a letter “E.” Kids will play with little plastic toys that connect — or “manipulatives” — that can help them recognize numbers and patterns.
“It’s play with a purpose,” Ralston said. “They’re just being introduced to the numbers, the colors, writing. But again, we’re not doing worksheets.”
the و with و a – تفاصيل مهمة
Build fine motor skills
Molding pretend cakes with kinetic sand. Connecting small LEGO bricks. Cutting playdough. It might not seem like much, but children this age are still learning how to use their bodies.
“Tearing paper is really hard and it’s a really amazing fine motor skill for them because the same muscles you use to tear paper are the same muscles that you use to hold a pen or a pencil,” said Lauren Bush, a TK teacher at Lucille Smith Elementary in Lawndale.
“You see kids playing with dinosaurs. I see kids sorting by color, doing visual, you know, eye hand coordination and visual discrimination. I see them using their fine motor skills,” she said.
At lunch, kids learn how to open up a milk carton or open a packaged muffin. At PE, they learn to balance on a block or walk in a straight line — learning spatial awareness.
a و to و you – تفاصيل مهمة
“They’re learning how to run, stop, things like that and playing because their bodies are so young,” said Principal Kohout.
Learn independence
For some kids, it might be the first time where mom and dad aren’t there to help carry their backpacks or help them go to the bathroom. TK is meant to help focus on their independence, though aides can help.
TK classrooms are also usually set up with play centers, so kids can have the choice to explore on their own.
“ I want them to be independent, to be able to solve their problems, you know, with assistance,” Ralston said.
to و their و be – تفاصيل مهمة
Samantha Elliot, the TK teacher in Downey, says she encourages kids to talk to their teammates first to figure out an activity before going to a teacher.
“It’s just gaining the confidence and building that independence from basically the start of the school year,” she said.
Parent Crystal Ramirez has already noticed a change in her 4-year-old this year since starting school. “ (He’s) socializing a little bit , talking a little bit , trying to express himself as well.”
the و a و little – تفاصيل مهمة
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Disclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification.
We do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.
Author:Julia Barajas and Mariana Dale and Elly Yu
Published on:2025-11-30 21:30:00
Source: www.the74million.org
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,’script’,’https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’); fbq(‘init’, ‘626037510879173’); // 626037510879173 fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);{“@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”NewsArticle”,”dateCreated”:”2025-12-01T00:59:07+04:00″,”datePublished”:”2025-12-01T00:59:07+04:00″,”dateModified”:”2025-12-01T00:59:07+04:00″,”headline”:”California Schools Now Offer Free Preschool for 4″,”name”:”California Schools Now Offer Free Preschool for 4″,”keywords”:[],”url”:”https://uaetodaynews.com/california-schools-now-offer-free-preschool-for-4-year-olds-heres-what-they-learn-the-74/”,”description”:”Join our zero2eight Substack community for more discussion about the latest news in early care and education. Sign up now. Every 4-year-old in California can now go to school for free in their local d”,”copyrightYear”:”2025″,”articleSection”:”Education”,”articleBody”:”nnn n Join our zero2eight Substack community for more discussion about the latest news in early care and education. Sign up now.n n n n nEvery 4-year-old in California can now go to school for free in their local districts. The new grade is called transitional kindergarten u2014 or TK u2014 and itu2019s part of the stateu2019s effort to expand universal preschool.nnnnIn 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature moved to expand transitional kindergarten in a $2.7 billion plan so that all 4-year-olds could attend by the 2025-26 school year. (Prior to this, TK was only available for kids who missed the kindergarten age cutoff by a few months). While itu2019s not mandatory for students to attend, districts must offer them as an alternative to private preschool.nnnnAs a free option, it can save parents a lot of money. Parents also must weigh how sending their kids into a school-based environment compares to a preschool they might already know and like, as well as other needs like all-day care, and how much play their child does.nnnnOne big question weu2019ve heard: What do kids actually do and learn in a TK classroom? Educators say itu2019s intended to emphasize play, but what does that mean?nnnnA social skill students can learn in transitional kindergarten is how to take turns on the playground. (Mariana Dale/LAist)nnnnTo help parents get a better sense of this new grade as they make their decisions, LAist reporters spent the day in three different classrooms across the Southland. Here are five things we saw children do.nnnnGet used to the structure and routines of schoolnnnnFor many students, transitional kindergarten is their first introduction to a formal school preschool setting. Crystal Ramirez sent her 4-year-old to TK at Marguerita Elementary School in Alhambra, so he could get used to the rhythm and rigors of school.nnnnu201cI didnu2019t wanna put him straight into kindergarten when he was five, six, so he at least knows a routine, already,u201d she said. u201cNow, as soon as he sees that weu2019re in school, he loves it.u201dnnnnTK students, like other elementary school students, follow a schedule: morning bell, recess, lunch, second recess and dismissal. Theyu2019re also learning how to listen to instructions or stand in a line. Some are learning to go to the cafeteria for lunch.nnnnu201cu200aI wanna make sure that their first experience in a public school setting is one that is joyful, where they feel loved, where they feel welcomed, where they get to really transition nicely into like the rigor of the school,u201d said Lauren Bush, a TK teacher at Lucille Smith Elementary in Lawndale.nnnnClaudia Ralston, a TK teacher at Marguerita Elementary, said it can be hard for young kids to get up early and leave their moms and dads. But seven weeks in, many of her students have learned their routines already. She helps with the morning transitions by turning on soft instrumental music in the classroom, and allowing them free play until they regroup on the mat to discuss the day.nnnnu201cTheyu2019re four years old. I want them to feel safe at school, know that this is a special place for learning and that they play,u201d she said.nnnnLearn how to socialize and communicatennnnIn TK, social-emotional learning is a big part of the curriculum. Thatu2019s a fancy word, but it just means theyu2019re learning how to be in touch with their emotionsnnnnAt Price Elementary in Downey, the teacher has her kids give an affirmation: u201cI am safe. I am kind. I matter. I make good choices. I can do hard things. All of my problems have solutions!u201d (They also have these sentences on classroom wall signs.)nnnnThe children also learn how to interact with their peers. In some schools, there are no assigned desks so the kids can learn how to share the space.nnnnu201cu200aTheyu2019re able to problem solve. Theyu2019re able to use communication to get their needs, regulating their emotions. They do better than students who come in without this experience,u201d said Cristal Moore, principal at Lucille Smith Elementary.nnnnOn the playground, a student named Ava told teacher assistant Lizbeth Orozco that another student pushed her.nnnnu201cHow did that make you feel?u201d Orozco asked.nnnnu201cMad!u201dnnnnOrozco encouraged Ava to express her feelings to her classmate.nnnnu201cu200aWe give them options of how to solve a problem and then they go in and solve it themselves,u201d Orozco said. u201cIf they need extra help, they always come back and we can help them.u201dnnnnArguing over toys can be a common occurrence in a TK classroom. At Price Elementary in Downey, educators help kids work through a solution. On a recent morning, one 4-year-old used two tongs to pick up paper shapes in a sensory bin, leaving another kid upset.nnnnu201cWhatu2019s the rule about sharing?u201d asked Alexandria Pellegrino, a teacher who gives extra support for one TK classroom.nnnnThe boy handed over a tong to his peer. u201cThank you so much for being a good friend,u201d Pellegrino said.nnnnu201c(Itu2019s) u200aabout being kind friends and making friends and using our manners. So we do build that foundation at the beginning of the year,u201d said Samantha Elliot, the classroomu2019s lead instructor.nnnnAt the end of the day in Alvarezu2019s Lawndale TK class, she counts up the stars next to each studentu2019s name earned throughout the day u2014 earned for positive behavior like being kind, solving problems, trying something challenging, or showing effort in other ways. Ten stars earns a small prize from the treasure chest.nnnnu201cIf we donu2019t get something today are we going to get mad?u201d Alvarez asked the class.nnnnu201cNo!u201d they responded.nnnnu201cIu2019m not going to cry!u201d one boy piped up, followed by his classmate and a u201cMe too!u201d from another student.nnnnu201cThatu2019s (a) positive attitude,u201d Alvarez said. u201cBecause tomorrow you can get more stars!u201dnnnnGet exposed to numbers, shapes, lettersnnnnIn Elliotu2019s TK class, students use their own little lightsabers to trace letters in the air.nnnnu201cTheyu2019re learning the letter, the sound, and then a little action to go with it. Theyu2019re wiggling and moving and theyu2019re also learning those letter sounds and they donu2019t really realize, so itu2019s incorporating instruction,u201d she said.nnnnThereu2019s no mandated curriculum in TK, but instruction is supposed to align with the stateu2019s Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations. u201cKindergarten is basically where the state standards go and kick in. There are standards in TK, but itu2019s a little bit different,u201d said Tom Kohout, principal at Marguerita Elementary.nnnnStudents might put playdough into letter molds, or the teacher might pull out toys from a bag that all start with a letter u201cE.u201d Kids will play with little plastic toys that connect u2014 or u201cmanipulativesu201d u2014 that can help them recognize numbers and patterns.nnnnu201cItu2019s play with a purpose,u201d Ralston said. u201cTheyu2019re just being introduced to the numbers, the colors, writing. But again, weu2019re not doing worksheets.u201dnnnnBuild fine motor skillsnnnnMolding pretend cakes with kinetic sand. Connecting small LEGO bricks. Cutting playdough. It might not seem like much, but children this age are still learning how to use their bodies.nnnnu201cTearing paper is really hard and itu2019s a really amazing fine motor skill for them because the same muscles you use to tear paper are the same muscles that you use to hold a pen or a pencil,u201d said Lauren Bush, a TK teacher at Lucille Smith Elementary in Lawndale.nnnnu201cYou see kids playing with dinosaurs. I see kids sorting by color, doing visual, you know, eye hand coordination and visual discrimination. I see them using their fine motor skills,u201d she said.nnnnAt lunch, kids learn how to open up a milk carton or open a packaged muffin. At PE, they learn to balance on a block or walk in a straight line u2014 learning spatial awareness.nnnnu201cTheyu2019re learning how to run, stop, things like that and playing because their bodies are so young,u201d said Principal Kohout.nnnnLearn independencennnnFor some kids, it might be the first time where mom and dad arenu2019t there to help carry their backpacks or help them go to the bathroom. TK is meant to help focus on their independence, though aides can help.nnnnTK classrooms are also usually set up with play centers, so kids can have the choice to explore on their own.nnnnu201cu200aI want them to be independent, to be able to solve their problems, you know, with assistance,u201d Ralston said.nnnnSamantha Elliot, the TK teacher in Downey, says she encourages kids to talk to their teammates first to figure out an activity before going to a teacher.nnnnu201cItu2019s just gaining the confidence and building that independence from basically the start of the school year,u201d she said.nnnnParent Crystal Ramirez has already noticed a change in her 4-year-old this year since starting school. u201cu200a(Heu2019s) socializing a little bit more, talking a little bit more, trying to express himself as well.u201dnn n n n Did you use this article in your work?
nWeu2019d love to hear how The 74u2019s reporting is helping educators, researchers, and policymakers. Tell us hown n nnn !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;n t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,n document,’script’,’https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);n fbq(‘init’, ‘626037510879173’); // 626037510879173n fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);n nnnnnDisclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification. nWe do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.nnnnnnAuthor: Julia Barajas and Mariana Dale and Elly YunPublished on: 2025-11-30 21:30:00nSource: www.the74million.orgn”,”publisher”:{“@id”:”#Publisher”,”@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”uaetodaynews”,”logo”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://uaetodaynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/images-e1759081190269.png”},”sameAs”:[“https://www.facebook.com/uaetodaynewscom”,”https://www.pinterest.com/uaetodaynews/”,”https://www.instagram.com/uaetoday_news_com/”]},”sourceOrganization”:{“@id”:”#Publisher”},”copyrightHolder”:{“@id”:”#Publisher”},”mainEntityOfPage”:{“@type”:”WebPage”,”@id”:”https://uaetodaynews.com/california-schools-now-offer-free-preschool-for-4-year-olds-heres-what-they-learn-the-74/”,”breadcrumb”:{“@id”:”#Breadcrumb”}},”author”:{“@type”:”Person”,”name”:”uaetodaynews”,”url”:”https://uaetodaynews.com/author/arabsongmedia-net/”},”image”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://i0.wp.com/uaetodaynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Los-angeles-transitional-kindergarten-825×495.png?fit=825%2C495&ssl=1″,”width”:1200,”height”:495}}
Disclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification.
We do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.
Author: uaetodaynews
Published on: 2025-11-30 20:59:00
Source: uaetodaynews.com
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