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October 19, 2022
“Is my child ready for kindergarten? How can I help them get ready?” These two questions are asked of every preschool teacher when kindergarten registration nears. Kindergarten teachers are pros at getting children from different ability levels and backgrounds all on the same page. Children who begin kindergarten with a solid foundation and knowledge base will have a much easier time adjusting. While they don’t have to know , these will help them make an easy transition on the next step of their educational journey.
Children who greet one another with a “Hello,” who ask their teachers for what they need, who negotiate well with peers, and who speak up for themselves will do well socially in kindergarten.
Ideally, the children will write their first names from left to right with a capital first letter and the rest lower case. At the very minimum, though, they need to be able to write some form of their first name that is recognizable to the teacher.
Not read it, but rather be able to locate the cover, hold it in the right direction, turn the pages, and locate the text. The one and only way to teach this skill is to read to your child every single day. Have books in every room and in the car. Make sure that your child sees you reading your own books, too. Read, read, read! Children that are ready to daily begin more ready for kindergarten, as they are used to listening to stories, following along, and have seen it modeled.
Kindergartners need to be able to put on their own coats and shoes and button their own pants. If your child hasn’t mastered shoe tying at the beginning of the year, don’t panic! Keep practicing, but be sure to send him to school in velcro shoes (or something similar) that he can do himself.
Kindergarten teachers are likely not going to be able to accompany their students to the bathroom. The students must be able to handle their own pants (no overalls or onesies!), wipe themselves, and wash their own hands. Start practicing at age 4!
There’s a lot of coloring, cutting and pasting going on in kindergarten. The children who already know how to use their school supplies at the beginning of the year get a big gold star. If you need some suggestions for using scissors, I love this set of pictures that shows the “right” way and the “wrong” way.
Starting with the letters of their name, children who are entering kindergarten should know many of the letters. It’s helpful if they also know that letters make sounds, but not imperative that they know what each one is.
Kindergartners should be able to rote count (1-2-3-4…) through 10 and also be able to count a set of objects (4 crackers) with good one-to-one correspondence.
There is research that shows that children who have good phonological awareness skills (Rhyming is one of them!) tend to become better readers. Play with rhyming words with your child. Sing nursery rhymes and rhyming songs. Read books that have rhymes.
Separation anxiety is very common among children who are just beginning school. Kindergartners who are happy and comfortable in the school setting are off to a great start.
