Today, April 21, is National Kindergarten Day, a day to celebrate the importance of early childhood education and the role of kindergarten in laying the foundation for academic success.

Ray High Schoolers may not remember much of their kindergarten lives, as it has been at least eight years since any of us have attended kindergarten. Something that we may not have known during our kindergarten education is that kindergarten is a critical time in a child’s life: it’s our first step towards formal education. It provides children with a structured learning environment where they can develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills that are essential for their growth.

National Kindergarten Day is a reminder of the importance of early childhood education and the role of kindergarten in setting the stage for academic success. Kindergarten, however many years ago, helped to shape us into who we are today. (But remember, Ray High School is shaping us into who we will be tomorrow; the growth doesn’t stop in kindergarten!)

Happy National Kindergarten Day!