Kindergarten: Is your Child Ready?

One of the goals for Help Me Grow is to ensure that every child is ready for Kindergarten on their first day. The school year is fast approaching and that means many new families are preparing for their children’s first day of school, but what exactly should a brand new Kindergartener know? Well, Help Me Grow Kenosha is here to help ease some of the stress for both parents and children with some tips about school readiness.

 

 

Learning:

Being able to identify at least a few letters of the Alphabet. Asking your child to point to a letter that you ask them to or showing them a letter and asking what it is

Know the phonics to those letters that they can identify

Able to identify their body parts

Able to identify basic colors

Can name/identify some basic shapes

Able to recite the days of the week and months of the year

Uses words to identify time: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Able to count to 10 and is able to name numbers 1-5 when you point at them

Writes a few letters of their name

Understands rhyming words

 

Language and Communication skills:

Able to tell a story (real or made-up) with a beginning, middle and end

Knows their first and last name

Answers simple questions about a book they have just read or that was read to them

Able to have a back-and-forth conversation; having more than three back-and-forth interactions

 

Gross Motor/Fine Motor/Self-Help:

Can stand and hop on one foot

Can button some buttons

Can take care of their bathroom needs

Able to grip a pencil/marker/crayon

Uses scissors

 

Social-Emotional:

Able to pick up after themselves

Follows routines and directions

Able to identify simple emotions

Takes turns when playing

Asks questions

Remembers information and talks to others about what they’ve learned

Able to separate from caregivers

Able to pay attention for at least 5 minutes with out interrupting

 

How to identify when your child is not transitioning well into Kindergarten

Attending school for a full day is a struggle for them; staying awake, being cranky or struggling with transitions throughout the day

Sitting still and/or paying attention for longer periods of time

Struggling to follow a strict routine

Struggling to get a long with many children or school staff

Your child is reluctant to go to school; being anxious, mad or scared

Your child is having consistent accidents at school when they are fully potty trained

 

Ways to help your child with the transition into Kindergarten 

Stick to a routine at home

Try to phase out naptime

Talk to your child about what to expect; about the daily routine, meeting new adults and children, and following directions

Shop for school supplies and tell your child what they are and how they will use them

Have them practice their self care skills

Plan a visit to the school to see their classroom and meet their teacher(s)

 

 

This list is by no means a standard for all children across the board; it’s meant to serve as a guide for parents. 

 

Transitions are always a difficult time for children and families but after a few weeks a routine is usually well established. However, if your child continues to struggle after a month talk with your child’s teacher to come up with a plan together. I

 

If you are having concerns about your child’s development you can complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) on the Help Me Grow Kenosha website or Download the Free Sparkler app available in IOS and Android (search for Sparkler: Play for Parenting) and complete the ASQ, find additional parenting tips and play activities.