Do you have a child entering Kindergarten and you want to do some last-minute catching up? Do you have a child beginning PreK and you want to get ahead a little? Here’s a brief list of skills your child should be working toward mastering to be ready for Kindergarten. Click here for a more detailed list.
Concepts of Print – understanding the basic rules of how printed text works. Your child can demonstrate Kindergarten-ready concepts of print by: orienting a book properly, turning the pages in the correct direction, and understanding that text is read from left to right.
Phonemic Awareness – understanding that language is made of individual sounds (phonemes). Your child can demonstrate Kindergarten-ready phonemic awareness by: producing some named sounds, identifying some sounds produced by others, and blending sounds produced by others to make words.
Phonics – understanding that sounds are represented by letters. Your child can demonstrate Kindergarten-ready phonics by: being able to identify some uppercase and lowercase letters, understanding that a written letter or group of letters represent a particular sound, and producing the sound represented by some letters.
One-to-one Correspondence – understanding that numbers represent a particular quantity. Your child can demonstrated Kindergarten-ready math skills by: counting to 20, recognizing numbers through 20, and understanding that the written/spoken form of a number represents a particular quantity.
Language Skills – ability to comprehend spoken language and use age-appropriate language. Your child can demonstrate Kindergarten-ready language skills by: being able to follow multi-step directions, engaging in age-appropriate exchanges with peers and adults, and retelling events or stories.
Fine Motor Skills – being able to coordinate small muscle groups, generally the hands and fingers, to perform tasks. Your child can demonstrate Kindergarten-ready fine motor skills by: using an age-appropriate pencil grasp, being able to replicate shapes and letters with some degree of accuracy when provided with a model, and using scissors appropriately.
Social Skills – being able to interact with others appropriately. Your child can demonstrate Kindergarten-ready social skills by: engaging in imaginative play, using age-appropriate language to communicate with peers, and being able to share and take turns with minimal prompting
For most children, beginning Kindergarten is a huge transition, with exposure to so many new concepts, people, and expectations. Preparing your child in advance can lead to a more confident learner!
So basically my kid is way more than ready for kindergarten (exhibits all the above skills plus recognizes and can write every letter in the alphabet and write simple words) but cannot start kindergarten this year because her birthday is a WHOPPING nine days after the cut off date. However, she could be dumb as a box of rocks and as long as she’s born before sept 1 she can start kindergarten? There’s something wrong here.
I feel the same way, Summer. Lydia has already mastered so many of these skills and she just started PreK today. She’s a September 2nd birthday, which I thought at first was awful, but now I realized it’s such a blessing. More to come about this 😉
Good post Carrie! I would add knowing how to open all of their own lunch containers, pack their own backpack, and tuck in their clothes by themselves!
Those are great suggestions, too. Independent functioning skills are so important by the end of Kindergarten.