kindergarten readiness

egpitt22

Ok, for those of you who have been through this, what type of stuff do they need to know before going into kindergarten?  We're having a preschool orientation where the teachers will go over the curriculum for the upcoming year so I just want to be aware of the kinds of things they're expected to know for next year.  Is there anything that maybe your child wasn't prepared for, that would have been helpful to know before they started?

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

AmandaJLewis

Your school may have their list of skills for K on their website somewhere. I know Baldwin had it out there as I checked it a year or two ago (and was surprised how "ready" EJ was at 3 years old).  That being said, I am glad she has another year before going into K, even if it is just a half day program.

egpitt22

AmandaJLewis:

Your school may have their list of skills for K on their website somewhere. I know Baldwin had it out there as I checked it a year or two ago (and was surprised how "ready" EJ was at 3 years old).  That being said, I am glad she has another year before going into K, even if it is just a half day program.

Yeah, I looked on their site, there wasn't anything on there   I did email them using a "contact us" form, but I haven't heard anything back.  I guess I could always try calling, but I try to avoid the phone at all costs unless absolutely necessary. 

MamaMaria11

There really are no requirements for kindergarten, as they have to take everyone in the public school system!  At a minimum, they should be able to write and recognize their name. Honestly, based on what I've seen the first few weeks at Kindergarten the program at the preschool has them ready enough!   

egpitt22

MamaMaria11:

There really are no requirements for kindergarten, as they have to take everyone in the public school system!  At a minimum, they should be able to write and recognize their name. Honestly, based on what I've seen the first few weeks at Kindergarten the program at the preschool has them ready enough!   

Yeah, I knew there were no real requirements, but I guess more just seeing if what they're doing in the preschool program is going to be the most helpful for next year.  So you think he was well prepared with the program at Vincentian?  

How's he liking kindergarten??

waltsgirl102503

I think with Jake being a daycare kid he should be fine - since it's really like going to preschool since birth. I know our pre-school program at daycare had Noah more than prepared for kindy.   They did letters/numbers - but it was more practicing writing them and their sounds than just "learning" the alphabet like we did.   He did some basic math things.   And by Christmas, Noah was reading Dr Seuss books(so again, that alphabet awareness was important).   Writing their name is something they do from the first day of school. 

 Other skills that aren't academic is sitting in your chair when you're supposed to, pushing your chair in, raising your hand.  

bride2003

I'm sure Vincentian does a good job with their preschool kids.  Have you talked to any parents who's kids went onto kindergarten to see how they did?  I would try to connect with a parent to see what her kid needed or didn't need after preschool before kindergarten.  Caileigh had almost a full extra year b/c she is an October birthday so she was more than ready.  I think for kindergarten its just a maturity adjustment more than anything else. 

MrsAmers

Below is the list on the Pittsburgh Public website and it is similar to what I?ve seen and heard from other parents not going to PPS. Heather is not 100% on all of these, but she hasn?t had any issues. I have been meaning to teach her our address and phone number ? need to work on that one!

 

Before starting school, Heather?s teacher had small group meetings and individual student assessments. We actually won?t get the ?results? of the assessment until our parent teacher conference next month, so I think it was more for her benefit to know where all of the kids were starting from. She also said during the orientation meeting that her major goal for the first month is just to get the whole class used to the routines of being in school. Their daily schedule, sitting at desks, listening, raising hands, etc. She won?t assign any homework until October and she isn?t putting a ton of focus on academics in the traditional sense until the kids are acclimated ? which is fine by me!

 

Academic Skills

Knows name, age, address and phone number Writes name Identifies the letters in their name Identifies colors Identifies shapes.  Is able to copy shapes from a picture Draws a person (The more body parts the better) Recognizes the numerals 1 to 10 Counts objects in a group under 10

 

Physical / Motor skills

Ties shoes Colors mostly within the lines Uses scissors with some skill Touches each finger to the thumb Hops on one foot more than three times in a row Catches a large bouncing ball Puts on a jacket, at least attempting to button and zipper it Uses a fork and spoon

Social / Emotional Skills

Interacts well with other children Follows directions Puts toys away Speaks up and communicates needs Is patient and respectful Stays with one activity for 15 -20 minutes Uses bathroom independently Uses a tissue when coughing or sneezing

 

Sources: Children?s Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Virginia Department of Education

 

 

bride2003

MrsAmers:

Below is the list on the Pittsburgh Public website and it is similar to what I?ve seen and heard from other parents not going to PPS. Heather is not 100% on all of these, but she hasn?t had any issues. I have been meaning to teach her our address and phone number ? need to work on that one!

 

this was something they did throughout the year in kindergarten so don't sweat it if she doesn't know it yet.  I think they had a 911 operator come in to practice with the kids.