Getting 4 year old ready for school next year?

Question

Any suggestons for what my son will need to know for Kindegarden?

Answer 1

GOOD for you!! I have an almost 5 year old in my in-home daycare that will be starting Kindergarten in the fall and he is SO not ready. (His parents are just plain lazy and don't put in any effort to teach him)

Here are the basics:
Shapes
Colors
Rote count (1,2,3,...) to at least 20,
1-1 correspondence (counting out objects) to at least 13
Recognize most of written alphabet (capital letters)
Write first name
Recognize written numbers 1-10
Know address, telephone #, parents names
Cut on a straight line with scissors
Starting to understand a simple AB pattern
Understands opposites (with some help)
Rhyming (although may not know this is what it is called)
Able to dress and undress alone
Able to perform other independent skills such as get a drink from water fountain, wash and dry hands, you get the point.

Anything above and beyond this is great, but those are crucial for your child to not be left in the dust in Kindergarten. Some like to say "that's what kindergarten is for" but in all reality many kids that don't already have these skills get behind quickly while others move on. It's so much easier on the kids if they are well prepared (not to be confused with DRILLED). If he hasn't been in any form preschool or daycare it may be beneficial for him to attend a half day program twice a week to help him adjust to what school will be like next year...it's a hard transition from play all day to work all day :)

Answer 2

It really depends on what state, city and school district you are in. He could be right on track or way behind. Can you talk to other mom's in your area? Does the school have a web page? If they have a web page, you could email the principal and maybe a K-garten teacher also. Possibly set up a meeting.
My daughter recently student taught in K-garden and she said the behavior and the language (bad) of the children, was a big turn off to continue teaching. She chose to not utilize her teaching degree and pursue another career.
As far as the local schools here, they are already doing spelling lists, math problems, science and history in K-garten. So your son should be able to read, count, know his colors and not just the primary ones. He should be able to write his name, know where he lives and the phone number. He should have good hygiene and good manners. He should be able to get along with other kids well and be able to communicate well.

Answer 3

Pay no mind to the lists which some people are posting. Those are goals of the kindergarten curriculum, not prerequisites.
Of course, any knowledge a child has going into school gives them a "leg up" so it's never too early to start. Make observations on and quiz your child on things relating to color, numbers, or letters which you run across in the normal course of your day. Make an effort to immerse your child in more social settings or events - merely increasing the frequency of visits to the local public playground is a good social booster. Don't try to "cram" your kid with information, let him learn at his own pace and enjoy the process. Your son's teacher will most likely be working in concert with literacy and math specialists in the school to "level" your son's knowledge and determine his specific needs - once he starts Kindergarten. Be proactive and stay in frequent touch with the teacher to get specifics on what to focus on at home - the parent/teacher relationship is, ideally, mutually supportive.

Answer 4

most states have a list of requirements on line.
Can count to 20 and knows the numbers
Write first and last name
can say ABC's and knows the letters
understands opposites
can find the missing piece in a pattern
can listen and follow simple directions
can hold and handle a pencil and scissors
knows colors and shapes
if you can't find the specifics for your state on line
try contacting the teacher at school, most are helpful in providing a list.

Answer 5

Mostly worry about his behavior. You'll be able to build on what they teach him later. Talk to him and practice with him about sharing, being quiet, following directions, etc. Take it from me, I have a 4 year old in pre-k now. (if your son will be 4-they'll be in pre-k, not kindergarten)

This is the first year my daughter has been in school, but I have taught her things at home just so she knows, ya know? She knows her ABC's-both reciting and by sight, she recognizes her first and last name, knows her address and between streets, knows how to tie her shoes, she can count to 25...I think she's 4 going on 40 most days...lol

Answer 6

I'm sure he already knows that he is loved, protected and supported by his family which is the most important. Beyond that social skills are the most important. What is accpetable behavior what is not. Be sure he knows what to expect at school. Skills: the alphabet, colors, count to 20, depending on the class some begining reading skills.

Answer 7

Kindergarten is basially about learning boundries, and social interaction. I have a 1st grade boy that did really well in kindergarten, but is having a tough time in the 1st grade due to the massive homework. We go thru approx. 1 hour of homework every night. I never remembered this much as a 1st grader.

Answer 8

my nephew was already in half day school at 3. If your son will just be starting (at a good ) school for the very first time, he will be behind. A co worker said her son was behind when he started kindergarten because he didn't have any type of schooling prior to that. But, he did eventually catch up in most areas. so it's not a lost cause should he be in that situation.

Answer 9

education wise he will be learning the alphabet and numbers so start by encourage him by singing the alphabet, counting. They do a lot of coloring so make sure you have a lot of space for pictures. they will be learning how to read and write.
Each term they will have a subject to learn it could be anything from different foods to different kind of people to places ask the teacher then you could help you boy more .

Answer 10

I know they want them to be able to tie their shoes, zip up their coat, put on their boots, know their full name, address, phone number and their mom and dads name. I am sure that there are other things, so why don't you contact the school that your child will be going to and ask what other things would be good to prepare your child. Its a big step mom and if you are anything like me, I cried like a baby when my baby went to school. Good luck and enjoy this step in your child's life.