Teacher’s Pets
The first-ever report card on America’s youngest students finds that most come prepared to learn. Nearly all children entering kindergarten – 94 percent – can count to 10, and two out of three can recite the alphabet, reports the U.S. Department of Education in its America’s Kindergartners report. The study of 22,000 youngsters will continue for the next six years as the department tracks the kids’ progress through elementary school. While 90 percent of parents say their little ones make friends often or very often, one out of three admits their child argues with others just as frequently. The report also highlights problems facing some tykes: Children from poverty-striken, single-parent homes or non-English-speaking families are less likely to be read to at home and therefore score lower in cognitive skills.
