COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO.71

April 6, 2007

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Virginias Foundation Blocks for Early Learning Expanded to Include Physical and Motor Development and Personal and Social Development

The Department of Education is pleased to announce additions to Virginias Foundation Blocks for Early Learning: Comprehensive Standards for Four-Year-Olds.

In 2004, the Department of Education developed the document, Virginias Foundation Blocks for Early Learning: Standards for Literacy and Mathematics. The purpose of the document was to describe specific indicators for pre-kindergarten children in the content areas of reading and mathematics. During the spring and summer of 2005, the document was expanded to include indicators in the content areas of science and history and social science.

We are now pleased to announce the completion of Virginias Foundation Blocks for Early Learning with the addition of the Standards for Physical and Motor Development and Personal and Social Development. The Physical and Motor Development Standards address skilled movement, movement principles and concepts, personal fitness, responsible behaviors, and physically active lifestyles. The Foundation Blocks for Personal and Social Development include self- concept and self-control, approaches to learning, interacting with others, and social problem-solving.

Since its inception, Virginias Foundation Blocks have been an evolving process in the development of comprehensive standards for what four-year-olds should know and should be able to do to succeed in kindergarten. The Foundation

Blocks now address all indicators that were established by the National School Readiness Initiative in 2005. They address physical and motor development, personal and social development, approaches to learning, language development, cognition, and general knowledge. While separate and distinct, these domains interact with and reinforce one another. Virginias Foundation Blocks for Early Learning can be found on the Virginia Department of Educations website at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Elem_M/early.html.

If you have questions, please contact Cheryl Strobel, specialist for early childhood education, via e-mail Cheryl.Strobel@doe.virginia.gov or telephone (804) 371-7578.

BKCJr/MA/rt