What does my preschooler need to know before entering kindergarten?

It is very smart to have your child prepared for Kindergarten. Today's Kindergarten class is much more advanced then Kindergarten use to be. Today children need to be prepared to take many different tests once they start school. Before your child begins Kindergarten, social skills are very necessary. It is imperative that they know how to interact with other children. Childen that do not have this exposure with other children before Kindergarten may become overwhelmed when placed in a school environment. 

We as parents must realize that there is a time when we have to "let go" and trust professionals to work with our children. Kindergarten can be a hard adjustment for parents and child!  Once your child is placed in school I ask that you become involved with your child's learning adventure. Rememer, once your child begins school - YOU too are enrolled as your child's academic support coach!

Seven Things Kindergartners Need to Know:

1.  The upper case alphabet out of sequence or mixed up. Children will be asked to name the letters listed, such as: B, D, X, K, J, M, O, etc. 

2.  The numbers to 10, out of sequence or mixed up. Children will be asked to name the letters, listed, such as: 2, 5, 9, 8, 1, 3, 4, etc. 

3.  Children will be asked to identify basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

4.  Your child will be asked to identify basic shapes: circle, diamond, rectangle, triangle, oval and square.

5.  Children will be asked to identify basic coins: penny, nickel and dime. 

6.  Your child will be asked to count objects to 10 

7.  Kids will be asked how far they can count to 100. 

The results of the evaluation are shared with parents at their first parent-teacher conference.