Diverse Needs of Young
Children
The National Center for Education Statistics (1995) describes the diversity of children who enter kindergarten:
"Kindergarten is now a nearly universal experience for children in the United States: 98 percent of children attend kindergarten prior to entering first grade. However, the population of children that comes to kindergarten is increasingly diverse. Growing numbers of children in the United States come from a variety of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, family types, parent-education levels, income strata, and language backgrounds. … Schools in the United States are expected to respond to this diversity in children's backgrounds and educational needs, furnish all children with appropriate activities and instruction, and get each child off to a good start in his or her schooling."
"Young children also differ in the types of preschool experiences they bring to kindergarten. The majority of children come to kindergarten with some experience in center-based programs, such as day care centers or preschools. The percentage of children with such experiences varies, however, across groups with different backgrounds and characteristics."
Children entering kindergarten have a multitude of needs that span the continuum of growth and development. Developmental delays, physical disabilities, social and emotional needs, and limited English proficiency can impede their learning in the classroom. In addition to learning and developmental needs, many young children arrive at school with needs that are related to the structure of their family, the socioeconomic status of their family, or the ethnic/cultural background of their family. These children may need additional support and resources from schools, classrooms, teachers, and the community to have a successful experience in kindergarten and early primary programs.
Kindergarten classrooms should pay attention to each child's individual needs and provide opportunities for all children to learn together. This result can be achieved when schools, classrooms, and teachers value the rich diversity of the students and the community.
For further information, refer to the Critical Issue "Meeting the Diverse Needs of Young Children."
