From the Series, Preparing Your Child For School.Although we are deep in the middle of summer, many of you may be experiencing anxiety over the coming school year. As a teacher, I am often asked "What does my child need to know?" I thought I would give you some tips and suggestions so that you can work to prepare your child during the summer months.
Here are some things your child should be familiar with upon entering Kindergarten.
Language Arts/Reading
- Follows books left to right and from top to bottom on a printed page.
- Begins to understand that letters are grouped to form words and words are separated by spaces.
- Begins to see a relationship between the spoken and written word...follows print as it is read aloud.
- Know most letter names and begins to recognize the sounds of letters.
Math
- Identifies numerals 1-5.
- Sorts and groups objects in a set and explains what they have in common.
- Counts in sequence from 1-10.
- Recognizes circle, square, rectangle.
- Recognizes that patterns can repeat and explains them verbally (i.e. red-black-red-black-red-black)
Although summer is a time for relaxation and play, take time every day to read with your child. Ask them questions about what happened first, middle and last in the book. Ask them who the characters are and how the book made them feel. Use these "teachable moments" to help enrich your child's world. You are the tool to their success!
originally published 7/04/08
Photo Credit © Ciapix | Dreamstime.com
It has also been brought to my attention that many Kindergartens request that children are able to tie their own shoes. With slip-ons and velcro the art of tying seems to be delayed leaving many teachers even in first grade frustrated by the amount of time they spend tying shoes! Check out Tie Buddies and send your little one off to Kindergarten with the ability to tie their shoes!