Kindergarten Readiness

I don't know about any of you, but I swear the things kids need to know before even starting Kindergarten these days are what we used to go to Kindergarten to learn.  The list is long, and thankfully Eva has all of them down, but honestly it wasn't without effort on our part. I love her Montessori school, I firmly believe it has played a huge part in Eva's personality- I don't believe she would be as kind or as empathetic as she is without it- but while she excelled in many areas, the rote memorization of things- alphabet, numbers etc- was a challenge. 

Thankfully, I recognized it soon enough and cut back my work hours and spent lots of time making sure she's set to go on day one for Kindergarten.  I can easily see how so many students fall behind before school even starts. If you have a single parent who works 2 or 3 jobs just to keep a roof over your head and food on your plate, there's little time left for learning. 

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Kindergarten Readiness Skills

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading and Literature

• Recognizes own name in print
• Recognizes and names upper and lowercase letters (40+)
• Begins to associate sounds with letters and/or words
• Hears and makes rhyming words
• Tracks print from left to right

Writing

• Attempts to write letters in own name, beginning with a capital letter
• Uses scribbles, shapes, pictures, letters, or dictation to represent thoughts or ideas

Speaking, Listening and Viewing

• Inititates, asks questions and responds in conversation with others
• Understands directional words (on, under, beside, top, bottom, left, right, first, last over
• Makes needs known through verbalizations, gestures, or signs
• Follows simple directions involving one or two steps

MATHEMATICS

• Recognizes numbers to 12 +
• Counts number of objects n collections of 6+ items, with one to one correspondence
• Counts in sequence 0-20 +
• Recognizes and duplicates simple patterns
• Identifies and names common shapes and colors
• Describes objects with two or more characteristics

PERSONAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Approach to Learning

• Demonstrates the ability to focus on tasks or activities for 15 minutes or longer

Interaction With Others

• Separates easily from parents or caregivers
• Interacts cooperatively with other children and adults
• Responds to verbal and non-verbal (body language, facial expressions) cues
• Manages strong emotions, controlling impulses and resolving conflicts respectfully, with support

Self-Management

• Follows rules and routines
• Uses materials respectfully
• Manages transitions and changes in routines

Functional Skills

• Demonstrates independence in self-help skills (washing hands, dressing, toileting, feeding one-self, etc)
• Demonstrates fine muscle control (using scissors and writing utensils)
• Demonstrates large muscle control and coordination (hopping on one foot, balancing, throwing and catching a ball)