No, no! It's not that time yet! Most of you are not even thinking along these lines at all, we bet - especially in the first weeks of preschool!! Rather, this post is about all the ways that your children are becoming "kindergarten ready" in preschool without even knowing it! One of the things we like to tell parents is that it is kindergarten's job to be "ready" for your child. However, we know that this is a topic people want to know about, so here is what we teachers think are the most important skills:
Although there are some
schools, sadly, that expect 5-year-olds to already possess certain literacy and
math skills, most are more concerned with a child having:
·
Problem
solving skills.
·
The ability to
get along with others.
·
The ability to
work on his/her own without disrupting the classroom.
·
The ability to
self-regulate.
·
Self-help
skills (zipping, toileting, dressing one’s self).
·
Knowing vital
safety information such as their own last name, parents’ names, address and
phone number.
When asked, “What skills
do you hope children will have when they leave for Kindergarten?” Village
preschool teachers answer…
“A positive perception of
one’s self as a learner – with the ability to follow directions, attend to a
task, ask for help, and take initiative in solving social and cognitive
problems.” And, “A sound foundation for the continuing development of literacy,
math, logic, artistic, and cultural understandings.”
Kindergarten Readiness is…
A child who listens…
·
To directions
without interrupting
·
To stories and
poems for five to ten minutes without restlessness
A child who hears…
·
Words that
rhyme
·
Words that
begin with the same sounds or with different sounds
A child who sees…
·
Likenesses and
differences in pictures and designs
·
Letters and
words that match
A child who understands…
·
The relationship
inherent in such words as up and down, top and bottom, little and big
·
The classifications
of words that represent people, places and things
A child who speaks and can…
·
Stay on topic
in class discussions
·
Retell a story
or poem in correct sequence
·
Tell a story
or relate an experience of his own
A child who thinks and can…
·
Give the main
ideas of the story
·
Give unique
ideas and important details
·
Give reasons
for her opinions
A child who adjusts…
·
To changes in
routine and new situations without becoming fearful
·
To opposition
or defeat without crying or sulking
·
To the
necessity of asking for help when needed
A child who plays…
·
Cooperatively with
other children and shares, takes turns, and assumes his share of group
responsibility
·
And can run,
jump, skip, and bounce a ball with comparative dexterity
A child who works…
·
Without easily
being distracted
·
And follows
directions
·
And completes
each task
·
And takes
pride in his work
A child who can use…
·
Writing instruments
and paint brushes
·
Scissors
A child who is
self-sufficient and can…
·
Take care of
their own toilet needs without assistance
·
Put on and
take off own coats, winter clothing, and boots
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