Kindergarten Readiness

1. Help your child to hold and use a pencil or crayon correctly to draw, trace, print, and color. "Pinch it with thumb and pointer finger."

2. Help your child name the letters of the alphabet. Have your child touch each letter and say the alphabet, rather than sing it.

3. Make the letters and numbers from clay to help strengthen hand muscles.

4. Play a matching game with number cards and Dominoes.

5. Practice printing first name (upper case letters are fine right now).

6. Make shapes for your child and have your child trace them with different color crayons.

7. Make shapes with chalk on the driveway or on a slate.

8. Do the same with your child's name and with other letters and numbers.

9. Make shapes on paper that your child can practice cutting out with age-appropriate scissors.

10. Draw a series of lines across a paper for your child to cut. Or, draw some simple curved or zig-zag lines for cutting on.

11. Count pennies, buttons, toys, etc... to 10 and later to 20. Have your child use number flashcards to identify the numbers when counting.

12. Play simple board games and card games. Use spinners and dice. Practice turn taking, waiting your turn, etc...

13. Read, read, and read some more! Discuss the pictures and the story.

14. Practice sitting and listening to stories, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales.

15. Practice proper bathroom manners (boys lift the seat), flushing and good health practices...blowing your nose, using a tissue, proper hand washing, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing.

Your child may be ready to learn reading and writing as they enter Kindergarten, but they may feel awkward and unsure of themselves when the teachers asks them to line up "two by two" or "single file." To save confusion and misunderstandings, parents/caregivers can anticipate many of the language obstacles and familiarize their preschool child with common verbal school commands:

-In the front -Stand still

-In the rear -Get ready

-Single file -In the back

-In a row -On top of

-In two rows -In the middle

-Get a partner -Around the corner

-Next to -Sit straight and tall

-Between -Straight Lines

-Alongside -Raise your hand

-Top -Bottom

-Line up -Facing me

-Hands to your side -All eyes forward

-One at a time -Behind each other

-Behind one another -Push your chair in

Parents/Caregivers can help their child become familiar with these commands through simple games at home.

While riding in the car... Point out that the bus is "next to" the car. Or "listen carefully" for the sound of the siren. Or "sit up straight and tall." Or look at the cow "alongside" the road.

While at the grocery store... Point out that the cans of soup are "in a row." Or "keep your hands to your sides" as we walk down the aisle. Or the bread is "just around the corner."

At the movies... Point out that people waiting in line are in "two rows." Or we should walk "single file" down the aisle. Or we must get "in the back of the line." Or let's "remain seated" until the lights come on.

At the doctor's office... Point out that you have to park "in the rear" of the building. Or that the Doctor takes patients "one at a time." Or "push your chair in" when you leave.

At home... Point out the toy car "at the bottom" of the toy box. Or can you put your cars "in a row?" Or "get ready" for lunch. Or put your bike "between" the other bikes.