SAN DIEGO -- A class based in Santee is aimed to help preschoolers experience a perfect first year of school.

The course, called "Children and Families Ready For School," brings both children and parents into the classroom to help beef up the children's growing brains and to make sure they are exercised often at home.

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Course Enriches Parents, Children

"Not only do we do the activities in the classroom but we also give them home activities that they can also be doing at home during the week," said Tammy Rees, a teacher of the course.

Painting with sponges doubles as a lesson in colors and shapes. Stringing beads gives Chris Adkins a chance to teach her son, Derrick, about patterns. But Adkins said the class is about more than education.

"It's just starting that much earlier to expose him to it, not to expect him really to be competent in everything but just the classroom setting, and the other children," Adkins said.

When the children go outside for recess, it's time for the parents to get a lesson of their own. Parents hear from other parents and the teacher provides current information on how to enrich children.

The ultimate goal is to raise a well-rounded child who is ready to take on the increasing rigors of school.

"We want them to be able to enter kindergarten ready to meet those expectations that our district has placed on them," Rees said.

Children and Families Ready For School is funded by tobacco tax money, through the First Five Commission of San Diego. Its mission is to help prepare children, aged infant to 5, to succeed in kindergarten. The First Five Commission is 10News' partner with KPBS in Project QKids.