Ever wonder what kinds of things your child should be good at before coming into kindergarten? Here are some suggestions and ideas!
80 SKILLS KIDS SHOULD HAVE BEFORE THEY START KINDERGARTEN from: 80 Skills Kids Should Have Before They Enter Kindergarten
Everyone knows that learning begins at home, but what should be taught? Are there skills and concepts kids should master before entering kindergarten? This list, which was compiled by researches for World Book, Inc. on the basis of a survey of 4,500 kindergarten teachers, represents the ideal – something parents can aim for. Don’t try to cram in all the lessons at once. Teaching these skills and concepts doesn’t require large blocks of time. In fact, school-readiness skills are best taught in small doses with repetition over months- and without pressuring your child.
READING READINESS
Remember pictures from a printed page
Repeats a 6 to 8 word sentence
Pretends to read (and has been read to frequently)
Identifies own first name in writing
Prints some alphabet letters
Prints own first name (only first letter in upper case)
Answers questions about a short story
Looks at pictures and can tell a story
Understands that one reads from left to right
Knows:
Names of letters of the alphabet
Some nursery rhymes
The meaning of simple words
Time:
Understands night and day
Knows age and birthday
LISTENING AND SEQUENCING
Follows simple directions
Pays attention
Recognizes common sounds
Retells a simple story in sequence
Repeats:
A sequence of sounds
A sequence of at least 4 orally given numbers
SIZE, POSITION, & DIRECTION
Understands:
Big and little
Long and short
Up and down
In and out
Front and back
Over and under
Hot and cold
Empty and full
More and less
Fast and slow
Top and Bottom
Colors and Shapes:
Recognizes primary colors
Recognizes circles, triangles,
squares /rectangles
Numbers:
Counts to 10
Writes numbers 1-5
Can count objects to 10
MOTOR SKILLS
Is able to:
Run
Walk a straight line
Jump
Hop
Alternate feet walking down
stairs
March
Stand on one foot 5-10
seconds
Walk backward for 5 feet
Throw a ball
Paste pictures on paper
Clap hands
Button clothes
Build with blocks
Complete simple puzzles (5
pcs or less)
Draw and color beyond
scribbling
Zip clothes
Control pencil and crayon well
Handle scissors
Cut and draw simple shapes
Knows:
Own first name
Own last name
Parents’ names
Home address
Home phone number
When to use a Kleenex
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Expresses self verbally
Identifies other children by
name
Can by away from parents for
7 hours
Looks forward to going to
school
Can take care of toilet needs
independently
Cares for own belongings
Dresses self
Brushes teeth
Joins in family conversations
Carries a p late of food
Maintains self-control
Gets along with other children
Recognizes authority
Shares with others
Talks easily
Meets visitors without
shyness
Puts away toys
Helps with family chores
Works Independently