Acknowledgments Preface to the Second Edition Beyond the Pandemic Emerging Trends Introduction This Book Is for You Information and Practical Advice How the Book Is Organized Chapter 1: Children Ready for School, Schools Ready for Children and Families The Concept of School Readiness for Children The School Readiness Road The Role of Language and Literacy in School Readiness Early Learning Standards and Indicators of Progress Play and Learning Standards Equity in Learning for Children in the Twenty-First Century The Concept of Ready Schools Ready Schools Need Ready Personnel Education Is a Complex Professional Field Families'' Hopes and Anxieties Family-School Partnerships Are a Special Effort Educators as Cultural Guides Discussion Starters Chapter 2: Kindergarten in the Twenty-First Century A Brief History of Kindergarten The Philosophical Foundation for the American Kindergarten The Reality of Current Kindergartens New Academic Pressures Full-Day versus Half-Day Kindergarten Kindergarten as the Bridge between Preschool and Elementary School The Impact of Home on School Preparation What Kindergarten Looks Like Today Two Kindergarten Classrooms Observed Preparing Children for Kindergarten Discussion Starters Chapter 3: Preparing Children for Kindergarten Going to Kindergarten Is a New Situation