STEPS: How Will I Know My Child Is Ready For Kindergarten?
Kindergarten is a very important time in a child's early school experience. It starts them on a path that influences their subsequent learning and school success. For most children, kindergarten is the first step in a journey through the world of formal schooling. However, children who enter kindergarten in the 21st century are quite different from those who began schooling in previous years. They come from increasingly diverse racial, ethinic, cultural, social, economic and language backgrounds. They also differ in the kinds of educational experiences they have had prior to kindergarten.
There is no single measure that guarantees that a child is ready for kindergarten. In general, as your child nears his or her fifth birthday, he or she is ready to start school when it begins in the fall. In addition, the following information describes where most students are developmentally before beginning kindergarten.
Keep in mind that each child will come to school with a variety of strengths and skills. Think of the following list as a way to identify your child's strengths, rather than using it to decide whether he or she is behind or ahead of other children. If you want to help your child prepare for success in kindergarten, try the activities suggested in the second part of this guide. And once the school year begins, know that his or her teacher will create a learning environment that gives each individual student and opportunity to thrive and learn new skills throughout the year.
Signs of Readiness
Good Health and Physical Well-Being
My child:
- Runs, jumps, plays outdoors and does other activities to help develop large muscle skills.
- Works puzzles, scribbles, colors, paints, cuts, pastes, and does other activities to help develop small muscle skills.
- Has bathroom and other self-help skills.
- Eats a balanced diet and gets plenty of rest.
- Receives regular medical and dental care, and has had all necessary immunizations.
Social and Emotional Preparation
My child:
- Is curious and motivated to learn.
- Spends short periods away from family.
- Enjoys being with other children.
- Can follow simple instructions.
- Helps with family chores.
- Respects adult leadership.
- Is encouraged to think of ideas for solving a problem.
- Can share and wait a turn.
- Can complete a simple task.
- Demonstrates self-control.
- Is able to do some "self-calming" in stressful situations.
- Uses language to express ideas and needs.
General Knowledge
My child:
- Plays counting games and enjoys counting.
- Is learning to identify shapes and colors.
- Is encouraged to sort and classify things.
- Uses strategies to solve problems, such as asking questions, making choices, etc.
- Is learning first and last name, address, and phone number.
- Understands that letters are different from numbers.
- Can identify some alphabet letters, especially those in his or her own name.
- Knows that alphabet letters make words.
- Is beginning to connect sounds with letters.
- Pays attention to repeating sounds in language, such as those heard in songs and rhymes.
- "Writes" by scribbling messages.
- Understands that different writing is used for different reasons, such as "lists are used for groceries."
- Likes to show off his or her "reading" and "writing" attempts.
- Knows the difference between pictures and print in a book, and knows that print is what a person reads.
- Pays attention to the sequence of events, including those found in stories, by asking or thinking about what happens next.
- Connects information and events to life experiences when listening to a story.
- Asks questions and makes comments that show he or she understands the literal meaning of a story being told.
- Uses new vocabulary and grammar in his or her own speech.
- Understands and follows verbal directions.
Clark County Readiness Task Force