{"id":17112,"date":"2025-09-12T18:00:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/17112\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T18:00:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:00:08","slug":"school-readiness-focuses-on-prepping-children-for-school-structure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/17112\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018School Readiness\u2019 focuses on prepping children for school structure"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Submitted Photo
\nThe book cover of ‘School Readiness’ written by Ashley Vercammen<\/p>\n

Shelley A. Leedahl<\/p>\n

Sask Book Reviews<\/p>\n

Ashley Vercammen\u2019s illustrated softcover, School Readiness, is\u2014as the title clearly states\u2014a book about prepping children for their first days of school, and sharing the story with new students could well ease the jitters that sometimes accompany this transition.<\/p>\n

The writer is a Registered Behavioural Technician (RBT) and her book \u201cis based on the proven techniques of the School Readiness program at Saskatchewan Behaviour Consulting,\u201d where specialists work with families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities.<\/p>\n

Vercammen also holds a BA in International Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, and taught English to students in China. The Redvers, SK-born writer\u2019s education and interests have informed the text in School Readiness, published by Home Style Teachers. The book follows a culturally and ability-diverse group of students as they consider how to conduct themselves at school, ie: how one uses a \u201cquiet, inside voice\u201d in the classroom, and how students should raise a hand \u201cto speak or leave [their] chair\u201d.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s information here for students who might be anxious about school structure, as well, ie: scheduling. \u201cI can look at my schedule to know what is happening next\u201d one block of text reads, and on the opposite page, the bordered text reads: \u201cI can ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d if I don\u2019t understand the schedule.<\/p>\n

The book is like a step-by-step guide, providing youngsters with the answers to questions they might have about attending school. It also includes illustrations that demonstrate lessons, ie: how to tie shoelaces, and how to properly wash one\u2019s hands. It follows a \u201cWhen it is time to do this, then I need to do that\u201d structure, ie: \u201cWhen it is time to trace, I need a pencil,\u201d and \u201cWhen it is circle time, I need to go to the carpet\u201d.<\/p>\n

The text also goes into some things beginning students might learn about at school, ie: the days of the week, seasons and weather. There are pages that demonstrate how \u201cEverybody likes to play in different ways,\u201d and here we see how different personalities or abilities are represented: \u201cSome friends like to take turns,\u201d \u201cSome friends want to play alone,\u201d \u201cSome friends like to listen to their toys,\u201d and \u201cSome friends want to play pretend\u201d.<\/p>\n

Diversity\u2019s common in contemporary Canadian classrooms, and illustrator P Aplinder Kaur\u2019s large-eyed characters reflect cultural diversity and differences in ability: \u201cSome of my friends talk with their mouth,\u201d \u201cSome of my friends talk with their hands,\u201d \u201cSome of my friends talk with a device,\u201d and \u201cSome of my friends don\u2019t talk at all\u201d.<\/p>\n

The colourful illustrations will engage young children, and at the end of the book\u2014beneath the affirmation: \u201cGood listening for your name! You will do great in school!\u2014\u00ad\u00adthere\u2019s a space for a child to include his or her own name in the story.<\/p>\n

The prolific Vercammen has published numerous titles since January 2022. See 222.ashley-vercammen.ca to learn more about her books, and to discover how she\u2019s helping others publish with Home Style Teachers.<\/p>\n

This book is available at your local bookstore or from the Saskatchewan Publishers Group.<\/p>\n

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