what does a child need to know before Kindergarten?

Question

I have a four year old. I want to know what should she know before she goes to kindergarten.She know how to write and say her ABC.her numbers 1-11 and she know how to turn on a computer and move around to different websites.What does she need to know now?

she was fully potty trained at 18 months. She is very smart but i want her to at least know the basics before k.

she knows her body part, shapes ,colors, helps out with her sister, write her name, how to wash herself,and she asks lots of questions.

Answer 1

I would start with the basics, counting to 10, recognizing colors and some shapes, etc. Also how to use crayons and simple things like that. They will learn the rest. Also, you may want to make sure the child is okay with sharing, authority figures besides the parents, etc.

Answer 2

My daughter attends one of the top schools, academically, in our province. She had an amazing kindergarten teacher who had all of the children reading and writing words and sentences by the end of the year, yet did most of the work in fun, hands-on ways.

Her expectations? Children should have good self-help skills: able to do their own shoes and coats, toileting independently. They should know how to use a pair of scissors. They should be able to recognize their own names. That's it.

I'd consider a child's social skills: ability to wait her turn, interacting with others, willingness to ask for help when needed, comfortable being away from her parents, etc. although those are things many children learn in kindergarten.

That said if SHE is showing interest in reading or math, certainly encourage that! Continue reading to her. Let her tell you the story in a book based on the pictures or just re-tell a story to you. That sort of thing. Talk about numbers you use every day. Let her help measure or count when you are doing real life things like cooking.

Does your child's school district have a website? There is often information about kindergarten expectations, how parents can prepare, the kindergarten curriculum, etc.

Answer 3

Sounds like she is ready to go. Some additional things she should know is opposites and rhyming words. They also test gross motor skills like balance, walking a tape line throwing and catching a ball and hopping on one foot and with both feet together. Also work on memory skills. For instance you say a sentence to her and have her repeat it use more detail as she gets better. Some basic math skills are also tested. I know this really seems like a lot but this is straight for the KDI-2 screening book used in my school system. I am a Pre K teacher.

Answer 4

You are off to a great start.
I'm an advocate of a holistic approach to learning. In addition to the start you have made and the other serious responses to this question:

I'd add gross motor development. This would include experience climbing and going down stairs holding onto the rail and alternating feet. On the playground does your daughter join in? Has she experienced climbing and swinging on swings, walking on a balance beam?

Social development -- can she take turns and share use of toys? Do you play games as a family? Does she help care for others or pets? Is she responsible for cleaning up after herself after meals, crafts or art work? Does she enjoy playing with music (even using a pot and wooden spoon as a drumset). Can she follow directions (baking a cake together is good practice)? Can she make decisions and be a leader at times?

Your best investment in her intellect right now is to help her develop a real love for reading and books. There is a wealth of great children's literature and factural books in your local library to discover together. Reading activities should be FUN and include you reading to her, your child "reading" to you (this is productive even if she makes the words up), making her own books, talking about a book - thinking about how she would end it or what she would wirite, recording yourself or her reading a book then sending the recording to a cousin or friend to hear along with the book, acting out the story and dressing up as characters, using puttets and making plays.... You get the idea.

If you are a reader and see yourself as a "life time learner" you will model excellent values and skills to your daughter. Even if you feel you don't have time - make time to read for pleasure - look for short story collections if you are too busy or don't have attention to devote to a novel. If you are a believer in God, study holy texts like psalms or poetry to encourage your spiritual growth. Teach yourself a new skill or hobby this will help connect you with learning and see ways to help your daughter develop patience and perseverence she needs to master new skills.

You'll probably shed a tear when you drop her off for her 1st day - I did, it's an exciting new phase in her life and yours I hope you both enjoy it.

Answer 5

If you go any school they should be able to provide you with what is called "The Kindergarten Readiness Exam". It's things exactly like you've said with her alphabet, numbers etc. It also contains physical things like the ability to run a certain length, bounce a ball with both hands...etc.
I live in Las Vegas, NV and we have this paperwork available. You may or may not where you live. If they don't have it in your town, try e-mailing the Clark County School District and asking them for a copy of the one we use here in Vegas.
Hope that helps! Good luck to her!

Answer 6

It seems like she is ready. Can she write her name? Say her address and phone number? This would be for safety issues. What about her colors? Don't try to get her to far "ahead". Today many kids start school without even know the ABC's so teachers have to start at the beginning and the kids who already know these things get bored waiting on others to catch up.

Answer 7

hi
they like you to know:
your name and address and phone number (to at least speak it clearly),
all the uppercase and lowercase letters,
numbers to about 20,
write first name with the first letter being in capital and the rest being in lower case (most parents teach in all capitals since it's easier, but this is incorrect),
basic patterns (if there is change laying on the floor and she sees three quarters and to pennies in a line that she would need to put an additional three quarters and two pennies to continue that pattern),
should be able to use a safety scissors by them selves,
can color somewhat effectively,
listens to the teacher and doesn't disrupt the class,
knows the colors
knows the sounds to letters, at least all the short vowel sounds

in kindergarten by the end of the year, my daughter needed to be able to count to 100, count by 2s, 5s, and 10s
months of year, day of week, date on calendar, learned to tell time to the hour, add simple numbers by saying the higher number in your head and adding with your fingers (5+3, saying five and holding up three fingers and counting those three fingers and getting 8)
it sounds like alot but it's not if you do a brief five to ten minutes a day randomly on all the above. sing songs that they will remember monday, tuesday, singing, and make up jingles.
don't make the mistake i did, make sure you read to your kids and they love to read and see YOU reading, it DOES make a difference.

Answer 8

ABCs, Numbers (1-10), shapes, colors, some nursery/ kindergarten rhymes, basic animal sounds, and senses (taste and smell),

Answer 9

I also have a daughter,4. She knows basic colors,can count to 15,knows her ABC's,knows shapes,can write her name with a little help,and can write most letters,and recognize them with little or no help. Her daycare gives progress reports,and they say she is doing great,and on the right track for"big girl school". is your child in daycare or preschool?Sounds like she is doing fine!

Answer 10

They'll teach her all the academics there... although it's helpful for her to know her alphabet, numbers to 20, colors, her name, your name, her address and phone number.

The most important things for her to know before Kindergarten are basic personal care things (toileting independently, zippers, buttons, wiping, shoe tying, opening her own milk carton, putting on a coat by herself, handwashing, nose wiping, elbow sneezing etc) and safety and cooperation items (follow directions, how to stand in line with others, street safety, walking not running, bus behavior, raising your hand to speak, etc)

Don't pressure her by telling her she has to know all this before kindergarten though. Just passively and gradually teach her these things in a game playing/role playing fashion between now and start time. Her teacher will thank you for it :)