A Question for Kindergarten Teachers- What should children know before they enter Kindergarten?

Question

I've been reading a lot of articles on what children should know before they enter Kindergarten, some written by independent writers, some from state board of education websites.
Some articles list simple accomplishments, others are exhaustive and lead me to wonder just what the teacher would be doing if the kids already knew everything the articles state they should know.

So, I want to hear from teachers only, preferably early education teachers: what would you like kids to already know before entering kindergarten, and what do you feel is your responsibility to teach them?

Thanks in advance- teaching is a wonderful, often thankless, profession! Keep up the good work.

Answer 1

I'm a Kindergarten teacher at a Public Charter School and let me tell you, I get children entering my class room on all different levels. I find its not what they already know when they start school in the beginning of the year that's crucial but how involved their parents are throughout the year that's most important. A child can start the year being one of my more advance students yet with lack of parent involvement through out the year I see the child fall behind. Yet kids come in not even being able to write their name and with co-teaching (teachers & parents) they end up being much better off.
As for a head start; a would have to say they should be able to count above 20, write their name (first & last) and know their phone number. Also be able to zip their coat and tie their shoes.
These items will help give kids self confidence in the class room at the beginning, they will see other children doing this and with feel better knowing they can too.!

One other point ! My husband is a high school teacher and he says it doesnt matter where they start in kindergarten, they all end up being a pain in the *** at the end! But thats why I dont teach teens.

Answer 2

It makes me sick to my stomach to hear that because i went through the same thing with all 3 of my boys when they started kindergarden! The school, the teachers, and other parents make you feel like theres something wrong with your child if they go to kindergarden and can't write out the alphabet yet, and some even expect them to know how to read some words already! All of my boys also went to Preschool, but i guess they just did too many crafts and therefore were not prepared for kindergarden! I too thought that they would learn all their numbers and letters at school...isn't that what kindergarden is for???? Apparently not! The School system expects ALL the kids to be at the same level and make you feel like crap as a parent if they are'nt! I don't recall that all children CRAWL, or WALK, or talk at the same age, so why would they expect them to all learn at the same age? This really makes me mad and i think PUSHING these kids to do more than what they are ready for will be damaging to them and they end up with low- self estem! If they are ready to read at 5, GREAt...if not...GREAT, it dosn't mean they are behind, and if more parents were to band together unstead of BRAGING about what there so called- genious child does, and stop competing with one another it would help! Just keep being a great mom as you are, and don't push them into fitting the school districts mold!

Answer 3

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