Getting Ready for Kindergarten!

Here are some things parents can do with their preschool-age children to help get them ready for their first day in Kindergarten:

• Find the picture of the red beans on the can at the grocery store 
• Think of 10 words that rhyme with "can"
• Start and organize a collection- rocks, cards, stickers
• Cook together and learn to measure ingredients
• Sort the socks, eating utensils, nuts and bolts, etc
• Let your child tell you a story and write it for them
• Mark your calendar as you count down the days to Kindergarten
• Read to your child every day, talk about the story, and relate to your child's own experiences

Socially, your child should be able to do these things before Kindergarten:

• Follow spoken directions and rules
• Use words to express feelings
• Speak clearly
• Leave their parents without too much difficulty for a long period of time
• Go to the bathroom alone
• Play well with and respect other children
• Resolve problems without needing a teacher
• Be able to tie shoes and zip and button all clothing

Academically, your child should be able to do these things before Kindergarten:

• Hold a pencil, crayon, and scissors correctly
• Work independently for at least 5 minutes
• Sit and listen to a story for 10-15 minutes
• Recognize, read, and write their first name
• Write their name with a capital letter and the rest lowercase (example: Jason)
• Identify some capital and lowercase letters
• Identify and count numbers 1 through 10
• Identify 8 basic colors (green, yellow, blue, purple, black, brown, orange, red)
• Identify 4 basic shapes (square, circle, rectangle, triangle)

Set a Good Routine for your child. Provide a regular:

• Wake up time
• Breakfast time
• Homework time
• Bed time
• Set out clothes and plan or make lunch the night before