V. Read and translate the text.

DAILY LIFE IN A REGULAR RUSSIAN KINDERGARTEN

This kindergarten is known as «The Sun». Almost 160 children, ages 2 to 7,

make up eight classes of children. Each class is grouped together by age.

In the kindergarten, there are spaces created just for children: an art room, a

gym, a music room, a game room, and a “museum” for professionals’ and

children’s paintings. In addition to the regular classrooms, there are bedrooms,

cloakrooms, and bathrooms for each group.

The kindergarten opens at 7:00 a.m.; however, the majority of the young

children are brought to school by their parents anywhere from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00

a.m. Whenever the child arrives, she or he is always greeted with a smile. From

8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., the children do their morning exercises, then wash their

faces and brush their teeth. Next, they eat their breakfast.

Around 9:00 in the morning, the game activities begin. These activities vary –

young children have one lesson a day, while older children have two to three

lessons. The lessons are designed to develop math and communication skills, and

to introduce the children to nature and the world. In addition, the children might

pursue ecology, music, theater, drawing, modeling, appliqué work, design, sports,

and English lessons.

As soon as the lessons are over, the children go for a walk. They observe nature, play. Young

children have a lunch break at noon; an hour later, the older children have their lunch. The

children take a nap after lunch, which usually lasts 2-1/2 to 3 hours for the young children and 1-

1/2 hours for the older children.

After the nap, the children do breathing and health-improvement exercises, as

well as gymnastics. After these health-improvement exercises, children have their

midday meal. They drink milk or juice, and eat stewed fruit. Then, the children

play. They can choose from an array of organized activities, such as art class, crafts

club, and so on.

Children also eat dinner in the kindergarten. While parents can take the

children home at any time, the majority of the children go home between 5:00 p.m.

and 6:00 p.m. The kindergarten is open until 6:30 p.m.

The following specialists work in the kindergarten: kindergarten teachers, two

for each group; kindergarten teachers’ helpers, who are responsible for making all

the meals, keeping everything clean, and helping the teachers in the classroom; a

psychologist; a teacher who organizes all the sport activities; teachers who develop

aesthetic and musical skills; and the English teacher. Once a week, the

psychologist gives advice to the parents on child-raising issues.

Each Russian kindergarten has its own unique features and differences, and

each day differs from the previous one. But one thing remains unchanged: all the

people who work in the kindergarten do their best to help develop healthy, creative, smart, and

happy children and to reassure parents that their children are in good hands.

(from Childhood Education, International Focus Issue, 2002, Vol. 78, № 6, p. 341)

COMPREHENSION

I. Choose the correct variant:

1) In the kindergarten there are spaces created just for:

a) parents

b) children

c) teachers

2) The games activities include:

a) making meals

b) helping the teachers

c) drawing pictures

3) Older children have a lunch break at:

a) half past twelve

b) noon

c) one o’clock

4) The children have their midday meal after:

a) their nap

b) their gymnastics

c) their health-improvement and breathing exercises

5) The game activities lessons are designed:

a) to help children to become better

b) to help parents to bring up their children

c) to help children to develop communication skills

6) The following specialists work in the kindergarten:

a) two psychologists for each group

b) two epistemologists for each group

c) two kindergarten teachers for each group

7) Each Russian kindergarten has its own:

a) building

b) playground

c) unique features

II. Complete the following sentences:

1. Each class is grouped together …

2. There are spaces created just for children …

3. The majority of the young children are brought to school by …

4. They observe nature …

5. The children take a nap after …

6. After these health-improvement exercises ….

7. They can choose from an array …

8. The majority of the children go home …

9. The psychologist gives advice to …

10. One thing remains unchanged…

III. Learn what skills you must possess to become a kindergarten teacher.

Primary school teachers must possess the following skills:



have patience and tolerance



be able to collaborate with colleagues



explain new concepts



engage children in learning new skills



manage classroom



be kind and understanding



work with diverse backgrounds



be a leader



communicate and interact with parents



solve developmental and emotional problems that may arise



supervise activities



attend seminars and meetings, take part in professional competitions to upgrade qualifica-

tions



deliver instruction based on individual needs of children