What does my son need to know before...
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Kindergarten
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Hello Avonmom,
My Son starts Kindergarten in a week , here's what I've learned so far - Before your son starts school they're probably going to do a screening to see exactly how much he knows, that way they'll be able to place him in the right class, i.e average, above average ...
They are going to test him to see if he recognises his letters A-Z, can count from 1-10 , write his numbers 1-10. Write his first and last name and they are going to check the formation of his letters and things like that.
They are also going to check to see if knows his shapes, triangles , rectangles , square etc.
It's wonderful that you're trying to get a head start with him before he actually starts school. Best of luck to you both.
My Son starts Kindergarten in a week , here's what I've learned so far - Before your son starts school they're probably going to do a screening to see exactly how much he knows, that way they'll be able to place him in the right class, i.e average, above average ...
They are going to test him to see if he recognises his letters A-Z, can count from 1-10 , write his numbers 1-10. Write his first and last name and they are going to check the formation of his letters and things like that.
They are also going to check to see if knows his shapes, triangles , rectangles , square etc.
It's wonderful that you're trying to get a head start with him before he actually starts school. Best of luck to you both.
It depends on what school he is in. In my boy's school they teach them one letter at the time. Which was disappointing because my son entered K reading at 3rd grade level, and doing basic math. Knowing that i tried to get the teacher to assess him but she refused. A few weeks after the start she started complaining about my son misbehaving so i suggested that he was bored. So two months later i got tired of listening to her and met with the principal and we put him in another class. The new teacher tested him and found out what his reading level was but she was sorry to tell me that there are no programs for advanced ks, so he is stuck in K doing homework for second grade and not getting credit for it.
It is very frustrating to not have the opportunity to excel. Although is very rewarding to listen to your baby being able to read you a whole story.
It is very frustrating to not have the opportunity to excel. Although is very rewarding to listen to your baby being able to read you a whole story.
Kindergarten curriculum has changed a LOT over the years. Many years ago the 'curriculum' for kindergarten was - 'care, play and share'. No academics at all - not even the alphabet.
Now we label children who aren't reading by the end of kindergarten 'non-readers'....you can likely tell this old teacher doesn't like all of the new changes.
All that said - now that kindergarten curriculum has become very academic ... here's what I'd say it would be good for your son to have 'under his belt' academically when he enters K in the fall. He should know the fundamentals of what's taught in preschool - and that is 1. the colors 2. the shapes 3. numbers 4. alphabet
At a kindergarten 'admissions interview' you'd likely be asked - "Does he know his colors? Does he know his shapes? Can he count? How high? 1- 10? 1- 20? Can he say his alphabet? Does he know his letters?
The answers to those questions can depend a lot on where one lives. In affluent big cities or small college towns - even preschool can be a pressured experience for children. Do most children attend preschool in your area?
In some areas, children are taught to read in preschool - though not every child is ready to read that young. Once a child knows the alphabet the next questions are - can recognize the letters? Not just say 'A' but know an 'A' when he sees one? Once children are recognizing the letters, then teachers will start to ask 'what sound does this letter make'? And when that's mastered, they'll start to put letters together in simple words - 'cat', 'bat' to begin the instruction of reading.
Once a child can not only say the numbers but recognize them - then they're asked to start to understand what the numbers represent. How many crayons do we have here? And - 'What happens when we take one crayon away - how many do we have now?'
And that's the beginning of mathematical calculations.
All the while, the child is being read to so that 'oral language' skills are modeled, reading is modeled, the child becomes familiar with the act of reading, hopefully the pleasure of it and begins to get acquainted with some of what we like to call 'the classics'. Three Little Pigs, common fairy tales etc. Teachers will ask questions like - what happened in this story? What happened at the beginning? What happened at the end? What did you like best?
And these days - 'what do you think will happen next?'
I've written too much for anyone to want to read. If you read to your son every day, that will Help a Lot to get him ready for K. Reading aloud to a child can never hurt and can only help to enrich their vocabulary and familiarize them with the concept of literature. The more words a child hears, the more likely he is to become a good reader - or so we think.
but yes of course - don't pressure any child. There are fun ways to foster the learning of the preschool skills - playing games with the colors, shapes, numbers and letters. Children learn best when they're happy and comfortable.
And before I sign off with an apology for having written so much - the motor skills. Holding a crayon with a comfortable grip, holding a pencil, cutting with scissors - Kindergarten teachers will look for those skills. Can he walk, run and - hop on one foot?
And the social skills - can he follow simple directions when asked? Does he play well with other children and know how to share?
It may sound overwhelming but know it's really not - those are all things that can be taught at home, slowly and comfortably with both you and your son having a good time with it. And the time between now and when he starts kindergarten is plenty of time for it.
Now we label children who aren't reading by the end of kindergarten 'non-readers'....you can likely tell this old teacher doesn't like all of the new changes.
All that said - now that kindergarten curriculum has become very academic ... here's what I'd say it would be good for your son to have 'under his belt' academically when he enters K in the fall. He should know the fundamentals of what's taught in preschool - and that is 1. the colors 2. the shapes 3. numbers 4. alphabet
At a kindergarten 'admissions interview' you'd likely be asked - "Does he know his colors? Does he know his shapes? Can he count? How high? 1- 10? 1- 20? Can he say his alphabet? Does he know his letters?
The answers to those questions can depend a lot on where one lives. In affluent big cities or small college towns - even preschool can be a pressured experience for children. Do most children attend preschool in your area?
In some areas, children are taught to read in preschool - though not every child is ready to read that young. Once a child knows the alphabet the next questions are - can recognize the letters? Not just say 'A' but know an 'A' when he sees one? Once children are recognizing the letters, then teachers will start to ask 'what sound does this letter make'? And when that's mastered, they'll start to put letters together in simple words - 'cat', 'bat' to begin the instruction of reading.
Once a child can not only say the numbers but recognize them - then they're asked to start to understand what the numbers represent. How many crayons do we have here? And - 'What happens when we take one crayon away - how many do we have now?'
And that's the beginning of mathematical calculations.
All the while, the child is being read to so that 'oral language' skills are modeled, reading is modeled, the child becomes familiar with the act of reading, hopefully the pleasure of it and begins to get acquainted with some of what we like to call 'the classics'. Three Little Pigs, common fairy tales etc. Teachers will ask questions like - what happened in this story? What happened at the beginning? What happened at the end? What did you like best?
And these days - 'what do you think will happen next?'
I've written too much for anyone to want to read. If you read to your son every day, that will Help a Lot to get him ready for K. Reading aloud to a child can never hurt and can only help to enrich their vocabulary and familiarize them with the concept of literature. The more words a child hears, the more likely he is to become a good reader - or so we think.
but yes of course - don't pressure any child. There are fun ways to foster the learning of the preschool skills - playing games with the colors, shapes, numbers and letters. Children learn best when they're happy and comfortable.
And before I sign off with an apology for having written so much - the motor skills. Holding a crayon with a comfortable grip, holding a pencil, cutting with scissors - Kindergarten teachers will look for those skills. Can he walk, run and - hop on one foot?
And the social skills - can he follow simple directions when asked? Does he play well with other children and know how to share?
It may sound overwhelming but know it's really not - those are all things that can be taught at home, slowly and comfortably with both you and your son having a good time with it. And the time between now and when he starts kindergarten is plenty of time for it.
Thank you all for the advice and information. I really appreciate it. I wanted to find out what he needed to know, and I want him to be ready, but I don't want to push too much on him too fast and scare him. I am so scared and worried. He has 8 months until he goes to school and I am starting to panic. I will definitely look for that book. Thank you all very much!
Hi, go to the 5 and dime store, K-mart, Wal-mart, etc and find a book titled, What Every Kid Needs to Know for Kindergarten. Its 8.x11 paperback (similar to the large coloring books). This should be very helpful. Its only 1-$5. He will learn to write his address, mom/dad's phone number, colors and geometric shapes. He also needs to be able to re-tell the beg'ng, middle and ending of a story. Hope this helps. But don't worry. The most important thing is that the both of you find school fun....
Hi Avonmom,
The only concern i think would be going to the potty and.continue with on how to write his name.
make some flash cards for 1-20 and the ABC"S
getting along with his peers,sharing,listening to his teachers.The rest the teachers will proudly do.
The only concern i think would be going to the potty and.continue with on how to write his name.
make some flash cards for 1-20 and the ABC"S
getting along with his peers,sharing,listening to his teachers.The rest the teachers will proudly do.
I will definitely let you know how it goes. Thank you so much for the fast reply. I am going to get started with him tomorrow. He is so eager to learn. I love teaching him new things. The only problem I have with him is that he gets frustrated very easily and very quickly. When he gets that way, he shuts down and doesn't want to learn anymore.
Hi Avonmommy and welcome to GreatSchools!
The easiest way to find out what your son needs to know before starting kindergarten is to contact your son's school when winter break is over. Every school has some type of brochure, handout, or packet that will explain what they're looking for in kindergarten readiness.
In the meantime, you can check out the GreatSchools library for great articles on kindergarten readiness, prep tips, and games and activities to play with your son to help get him ready. The library is located here: www.greatschools.net/articles/
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
The easiest way to find out what your son needs to know before starting kindergarten is to contact your son's school when winter break is over. Every school has some type of brochure, handout, or packet that will explain what they're looking for in kindergarten readiness.
In the meantime, you can check out the GreatSchools library for great articles on kindergarten readiness, prep tips, and games and activities to play with your son to help get him ready. The library is located here: www.greatschools.net/articles/
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
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