What Kids Should Know Before Kindergarten

 A quick reference guide for parents and caregivers.

 

Sizes, Colors and Shapes

·         Understands big and little, long and short

·         Matches objects based on size and shape

·         Builds using graduated sizes for nesting and stacking

·         Recognizes likenesses and differences

·         Recognizes and names primary colors

·         Recognizes circle, square, rectangle and triangle

·         Completes simple puzzles up to five pieces

·         Copies simple shapes

 

Numbers

·         Counts orally through 10

·         Counts objects in one-to-one correspondence

·         Understands empty and full, more and less

·         Builds with blocks and construction toys

 

Reading Readiness

·         Has been read to frequently

·         Understands that print carries a message

·         Knows what a letter is, can recognize some letters

·         Looks at books or magazines, pretends to read

·         Remembers objects from a given picture

·         Uses left to right progression

·         Understands top and bottom of a page

·         Tells the meaning of simple words

·         Answers questions about a short story

·         Looks at pictures and tells a story

·         Identifies own first name in writing

 

Listening and Sequencing

·         Expresses self verbally

·         Recognizes some nursery rhymes

·         Identifies parts of the body

·         Identifies objects that have a functional use

·         Knows common farm and zoo animals

·         Repeats a sentence of six to eight words

·         Completes a sentence with the proper word

·         Listens carefully, follows simple directions

·         Recognizes common sounds

·         Repeats a sequence of sounds

·         Repeats a sequence of three to five orally given numbers

·         Retells simple stories in sequence

 

Position and Direction

·         Understands up and down, in and out, front and back, over and under, top and bottom, beside and next to, hot and cold, fast and slow.  Identifies simple opposites.

 

Time

·         Understands day and night.

·         Knows age and birthday.

 

Motor Skills

·         Is able to run, walk a straight line, jump and hop, alternate feet walking down stairs, march, stand on one foot for five to 10 seconds, walk backward for 5 feet, throw and kick a ball, and clap hands.

 

Fine Motor Skills

·         Can button and zip, and touch fingers together.  Is able to handle scissors, cut simple shapes and paste.  Builds with construction toys and blocks.  Draws and colors beyond a simple scribble and controls pencil and crayon well.  Can copy simple objects and print own first name (manuscript, lowercase).

 

Social and Emotional Development

·         Can be away from parents without being upset.

·         Takes care of toilet needs independently.

·         Feels good about self and talks easily.

·         Dresses self and cares for own belongings.

·         Pronounces own first and last name.

·         Identifies other children by name.

·         Knows how to use a handkerchief or tissue.

·         Knows own sex and knows full name.

·         Brushes own teeth and washes own hands and face.

·         Knows parents’ names, home address and phone number.

·         Gets along with other children and plays cooperatively.

·         Expresses positive feelings about school and teachers.

·         Recognizes authority.

·         Enjoys playing with other children and shares with others.

·         Meets visitors without shyness.

·         Puts away toys and helps family with chores.

·         Is able to stay on task and work independently.

·         Can describe some basic emotions/feelings.

 

This list of school readiness skills is the result of a survey of 3,000 U.S. kindergarten teachers conducted by World Book Encyclopedia.

 

Other Skills

The more personal resources that children have for coping with kindergarten, the more successful they will be.

 Here are some other vital readiness skills that you can help your child develop.

·         Positive Self-image: Evidenced by strong perceptions of personal capabilities.  “I am capable.”

Significance.  “I am needed.  I can contribute in a meaningful way.”

Personal power of influence over life.  “I can influence what happens to me.”

·         Communication and cooperation:  Children need strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work with others and develop friendships through communication, cooperation, negotiation, sharing, empathizing and listening.

·         Thinking and Problem-solving Skills: Children should be given the opportunity to explore, test, discover, ask questions and draw conclusions.  This establishes the necessary foundation for lifelong learning.

·         Self-help and self-control:  Children need to learn about themselves, their bodies and their emotions.  They can then use this understanding to develop self-control and self-discipline.  This self-awareness also helps them to learn from their experiences.