What should a child know before starting kindergarten?

Question

My daughter will be starting school next September, and I just want to know what she should know, or be able to do by the time she starts? What is expected of a new student?

Answer 1

Here are a few basics that any Kindergarten teacher would be pleased to see in a child starting out:

1. Numbers 1-20 at least. Identification, counting aloud and counting using objects of some kind.

2. Alphabet. It is nice to hear a child say it aloud, but that alone doesn't mean the child knows the alphabet. Identification of the letters is far more significant. It would also be great if the child also knew some of the sounds as well.

3. How to write his/her name and recognize it. Very important! So many new K'ers don't know this!

4. Colors and shapes. Most children at this point know their colors and shapes, but I'll mention it anyway.

5. How to use scissors and glue. Amazingly, some K'ers come to school that first day and have never used scissors or glue! It takes a lot of time away from other curricular activities for a teacher to teach these sorts of skills.

6. Social skills!!! Social skills play a great role in how well a child does in school. Unfortunately, some come to school and grab onto mom's leg, refusing to be left alone for that first time. Being around other children prior to coming to school is important and really benefits the child. (You can often tell right away which have gone to a babysitter or childcare and which have only been around mom/dad for the first 5 years of their lives.) Social skills leads to sharing, basic communication, less shyness and timidity, ect.

**Something else I'll mention. Reading is very important. No one expects a Kindergartener to come to school knowing how to read. It isn't a simple process. However, reading to your child on a regular basis increases their knowledge, verbal skills, love of books, attention span and even how quickly they may attempt (and be successful) at reading and writing.

!!!!I have to add this! Someone posted that the academic stuff is the job of the teacher. Good parents know that they are their child's first (and most important) teacher! Learning doesn't have to be boring. In fact, skill and drill is terrible. Children learn from experiences that are hands-on and meaningful. Having the child help you sort things, such as ornaments before putting them on the tree or measuring out and preparing a cake, can help with basic math skills. The list goes on! Even teaching alphabet doesn't have to be boring. Use games, alphabet bingo, ect. The best students are those whose parents care enough to teach them and want to take the time to do so!!!

Answer 2

First off, go to your state's Department of Education website and look for their kindergarden content standards. This will give you an idea of what your child needs to know before leaving kindergarten. Maturity is about the most important thing for a child entering school. Can your child stay with a task for more than a few minutes? Can she follow a two step direction correctly without you having to repeat it over and over? Can she solve small problems on her own without tears?
I can teach reading, writing and math, but I cannot teach a child to be mature.
That being said, it would be to your child's advantage to be able to recognize her name and write it correctly(a capital at the beginning, lower case for the rest). She should be able to count to 10 at least and recognize the numbers out of order. She should know the colors and basic shapes. Letter names and sounds are an added bonus. If she knows them, she will begin reading faster. I agree with Amy that cutting and gluing are a biggie in kinder. Give your daughter lots of opportunities to cut and glue. Talk and read together daily. This fosters not only good vocabulary, but a love of reading. You are your child's biggest advocate so make her the best she can be. Good luck!

Answer 3

Your child should have experiences. Go to the zoo and ask questions of your child. Go to a museum, on a bike ride, go camping, or anything else you and your family likes to do. As a teacher, I find parents worry so much - and I know they want the best for their child - but what I share with them is to be with the child. Ask questions, and wait for answers. Try new things. The curriculum is already set for your soon to be kindergartner. You may ask the school for the curriculum but rest assured, with good teachers, and good parents, you will end up with a great child.

Answer 4

All of the academic stuff will be taught; that's the job of the teachers. If you skill and drill too much on numbers and letters at home, she'll be bored when her classmates are learning them.

She should know how to follow a schedule, especially for eating--in school she will be expected to eat a snack at snack time instead of whenever she wants.

She should know how to share, as well as anyone that age knows how to share.

She should know how to sit still and listen for a period of time without getting too restless.

She should know how to put on her own jacket and tie her own shoes, if possible. It saves teachers lots of time if they don't have to tie a thousand shoes and hold a thousand jackets every day.

Answer 5

you could contact your daughter's kindergarten & ask if they have a Kindergarten Ready Check list... She should be able to write her name. colors, get herself dressed, etc For enrichment. you could conduct your own "circle time" Talking every day about what day of the week it is, the months of the year, what's the weather like today? ETC... During this time you could review her phone number, address, spell her name out loud & mom/Dad's first names... What an exciting time! Best of luck

Answer 6

Kindergarten is pretty basic. Make sure she knows colors and all about fingerpainting. Also sharing so she is the star child in the group. I am sure she is just fine to enter the big K.

Answer 7

How to eat, dress and go to the bathroom by herself. How to share and cooperate. How to take turns. How to be apart from you for a while. Then, she'll learn all the academics when she starts school.

Answer 8

the more the child knows before kindergarten the more advanded he or she will be throughout school.

Answer 9

I'd make sure she knows her numbers (1-10 at the least), can say her abc's, and knows shapes. If you can, teach her how to write her numbers and letters.

Answer 10

abc's
1-10
tie shoes
home phone #
home address