Kindergarten Readiness

Being ready for Kindergarten means a lot more than being 5 years old By September 1. Parents and teachers should consider each individual child's emotional, social and intellectual development. The object of Kindergarten should be to guide your child to the overall maturity needed for a solid and positive start to their educational career.
Pushing a young child into school often does more harm than good. They often become frustrated at their inability to keep up and are forced to play "catch-up" with students who are older and more able.  These children may feel that school is too hard, and may begin to have low self-esteem.

If you aren't sure that your child is ready for Kindergarten, talk with their preschool teacher and/or their Kindergarten teacher. They have your child's best interest at heart, and will be honest with you. In the long run, holding them back and giving them the gift of an extra year to "grow" is far better than setting them up for failure. Below are some guidelines that may help you decide whether or not your child is ready:

 

Academic Guidelines

(Your child will not be expected to have mastered all these areas before entering Kindergarten. However, the more areas your child is secure in, the greater their chance for success.)

Social Guidelines

(Social development is a major component of Kindergarten.  The ease with which your child can work and play with others fosters independence and self-confidence.  Again, the more areas your child has mastered, the greater their chances are for success.)

 

Math-     Can your child. . .

  • Count to 20
  • Recognize #'s 0-10
  • Recognize & name basic shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, diamond and oval)
  • Sort objects by color, shape and size

Language-    Can your child. . .

  • Recognize most capital letters
  • Recognize most lower case letter
  • Recognize some letter sounds
  • Follow verbal one & two-step directions
  • Listen to a story without interrupting
  • Tell a simple story in order

Small Muscle-    Can your child. . .

  • Cut on a straight line
  • Color a picture without scribbling
  • Use glue appropriately
  • Copy letters, shapes and numbers
  • Hold a pencil correctly
  • Button and zip independently for bathroom use

Other-     Can your child. . .

  • Say their full name
  • Say their parents' full names
  • Write their first name
  • Say their phone number
  • Recognize basic colors

Does your child. . .

  • Take turns and share when playing with other children
  • Take part in group activities
  • Adjust to new situations easily
  • Show an interest in learning new things
  • Get upset with changes in their routine
  • Demand immediate attention (or can they share the adult's attention with others)
  • Control their anger and frustration
  • Express their feelings appropriately
  • Follow simple rules when asked to
  • Handle winning and losing gracefully
  • Accept responsibility for their actions
  • Take care of materials and property
  • Respond to adults
  • Ask for help when needed
  • Listen attentively
  • Separate easily from their parents
  • Cry easily
  • Have responsibilities at home
  • Attend to personal needs
  • Work independently without someone sitting next to them
  • Solve their own problems during play (resolve conflicts)
  • Communicate well enough to express feelings and needs
  • Distinguish between fantasy and reality

 

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