KINDERGARDEN
PRE-KINDERGARDEN
PRE KINDERGARDEN
PRESCHOOL
KINDERGARDEN WHAT YOUR CHILD SHOULD KNOW
KINDERGARDEN WHAT YOUR CHILD SHOULD KNOW RELATED TOPICS
5 SKILLS YOUR CHILD SHOULD KNOW BEFORE STARTING KINDERGARDEN
WHAT A CHILD SHOULD KNOW BEFORE STARTING KINDERGARDEN
WHAT A CHILD SHOULD KNOW BEFORE STARTING KINDERGARDEN RELATED TOPICS
QUALITIES TO BE A SUCCESSFUL PRESCHOOL TEACHER
PRE-KINDERGARDEN LINKS
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 1
KINDERGARDEN
WHAT YOUR
CHILD
SHOULD
KNOW
No two kids are alike, especially when it comes to hitting developmental
benchmarks. But it helps to have a rough idea of which academic and
social skills your child should acquire at his or her grade level.
Learn more about the kindergarten classroom in these subject areas:
reading,
writing,
language arts,
math,
science,
technology,
social studies,
art,
music,
physical education
Or check your state's academic standards to find out what students
are required to learn.
By the end of the year, you can expect your child to:
•Follow class rules
•Separate from a parent or caregiver with ease
•Take turns
•Cut along a line with scissors
•Establish left- or right-hand dominance
•Understand time concepts like yesterday, today,
and tomorrow
•Stand quietly in a line
•Follow directions agreeably and easily
•Pay attention for 15 to 20 minutes
•Hold a crayon and pencil correctly
•Share materials such as crayons and blocks
•Know the eight basic colors: red, yellow, blue, green,
orange, black, white, and pink
•Recognize and write the letters of the alphabet in
upper- and lowercase forms
•Know the relationship between letters and the sounds they make
•Recognize sight words such as the and read simple sentences
•Spell his first and last name
•Write consonant-vowel-consonant words such as bat and fan
•Retell a story that has been read aloud
•Show an opinion through drawing, writing, or speaking
(e.g. “My favorite book is…”)
•Identify and be able to write numbers from 0 to 20
•Count by ones and tens to 100
•Do addition problems with sums up to 10
•Do subtraction problems with numbers 0 to 10
•Know basic shapes such as square, triangle, rectangle,
and circle
•Know her address and phone number
Kindergarten: What your child should know
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1207-kindergarten-benchmarks.gs
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 2
KINDERGARDEN
WHAT YOUR
CHILD
SHOULD
KNOW
RELATED
TOPICS
READING
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/233-kindergarten-reading.gs
WRITING
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/196-kindergarten-writing.gs
LANGUAGE ARTS
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/127-kindergarten-language-arts.gs
MATH
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/138-kindergarten-math.gs
SCIENCE
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/152-kindergarten-science.gs
TECHNOLOGY
http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/learning-development/slideshows/5851-kindergarten-technology-learning.gs
SOCIAL STUDIES
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/166-kindergarten-social-studies.gs
ART
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/176-kindergarten-art.gs
MUSIC
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/250-kindergarten-music.gs
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/258-kindergarten-pe.gs
Your state's academic standards to find out what students are required to learn
http://www.greatschools.org/content/stateStandards.page?cpn=20090512my5
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 3
5
SKILLS
YOUR CHILD
SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE
STARTING
KINDERGARDEN
I was a teacher and I saw many things that I wish my students
had known before coming to Kindergarten. While they aren’t
mandatory, these 5 things your child should know before starting
Kindergarten certainly help your child to feel more independent.
I have been lucky enough to see things from a teacher’s side, as
well as from the side as the parent. These things may seem little
to you, or not-important, but I can tell you that for your child,
they are HUGE.
They give your child confidence and they show the teacher that your
child is independent and ready to take on Kindergarten! Its the
little things that give your child that feeling of success and
leadership.
1. Tie their shoes
this is not as hard as you think.
Just let your child practice it in steps. For a few days, teach
them to do the X and go through the first loop (the easy part).
Do this over & over.
Let them tie everything (cushions on chairs, your shoes, aprons, etc…)
Next, move onto the rest of the tying process (past just making the X).
Yes, they will get frustrated… that is a given. Both of our boys became
frustrated when learning, but with a little encouragement, they caught on.
It took about a week. They were so proud of themselves (our kids had me
take a video of them tying their shoe laces to send it to their Dad at
work and to their grandparents.) Remember that when you want to jump
in and tie it for them, when you are in a rush, or you see your child
struggling, that you need to STOP doing that for your kids.
Ps- These things take away so much classroom time. If I had a penny for
each shoelace that I tied when I taught… I would be RICH!! haha!
2. Open a juice box- Yes, its strange.
To be honest, I RARELY send my kids with juice boxes in their lunches,
because they drink water with their lunch, but parties and celebrations
in schools make this one of those little things that is happening more
& more often. When I taught, I felt like I opened 27 juice boxes on those
days (Birthdays happen quite often in a classroom with 20+ children).
How do you teach them to open a juice box? Step-by-step. Take the straw
off, open it, insert it into the juice box, drink it, throw it all away
(do not wait for the teacher to come by and get it). Easy enough, right?
There are many 5 and 6 year olds that do not do this because no one has
taught them how. Our four year old LOVES to open his own juice box at
parties- he feels like such a “big kid”.
3. Use the bathroom, wash hands
and button their pants alone.
Again, easy enough. If your child can’t button their pants without help,
you might want to send them in different pants. Most kids do not want to
walk out, in front of 25 fellow-students, to ask their teacher to button
their pants. Practice, practice, practice, to avoid your child being
embarrassed.
4. How to handle getting what they need
You want your child to take responsibility for themselves. Think about
if your child breaks their pencil in class. Will they know that they
need to raise their hand to get another one? Or will they sit there,
doing nothing, because they don’t know that they need to take care of
themselves?
One day our son came home and told me that he didn’t eat his yogurt
because I didn’t pack him a spoon. I said “Don’t they have spoons
there?”
and he looked at me like I was crazy, until I explained that if I do
not pack him a spoon (or napkin or a straw), he needs to get up, get
in line, and take care of his needs. No one is going to do it for
him.
Remember, you are raising your child to be a responsible adult.
5. Know the basics!
Does your child know their name, phone number, address? These are
IMPORTANT! You are relying on adults that have 24+ other students
that day.
While I’m sure that our kids will be safe, I still make sure that
they know these things. I would never want to send our little
ones out ‘into the world’ without this information.
Oh- and this means their LAST NAME, too, not just their first.
If your child doesn’t know this, at least slip a piece of paper
in between their sock & their shoe with the info on it. This is
what I do when we go out somewhere with a lot of people, like an
amusement park… and the kids know to look for it there, in case
they “forget”.
This is an exciting time and I’m sure that your child’s teacher
will have a blast teaching your little ones! Enjoy the journey
of Kindergarten with your child!
5 skills your child should know before starting Kindergarten
http://www.yourmodernfamily.com/5-skills-kindergarten/
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 4
WHAT A CHILD
SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE
STARTING
KINDERGARDEN
Kindergarten represents a major step toward being a big kid, but
it's also a milestone that many parents dread because it means
they have to let their little ones go out into the world without
them.
Because your child will do kindergarten without you being present,
there are a few things you should help your child learn before the
big day arrives. Being adequately prepared will help your child be
successful in the kindergarten classroom and beyond.
Letters and Literacy Concepts
Most kindergartners learn how to read throughout the school year,
but you can set your child up for literacy success by making sure
he knows his letters before the first day.
In fact, many kindergartens require incoming students to identify
a certain number of letters before they're accepted, according to
Scholastic.com. Many kindergartens also want incoming students to
easily identify, list or write the letters in their own names.
Additionally, according to Education.com, your child should be able
to identify rhyming words, hold a book properly and retell his
favorite stories.
Numbers and Counting Concepts
Many kindergartens want incoming students to identify numbers,
usually one through 10, as well as count in sequential order
up to 10, according to Scholastic.com. Your child should also
be able to describe an object according to certain attributes,
such as size and shape. Quantity is another thing your child
should know, and that means that she can count a small group
of objects or identify the number of things in a set, such as
two hands, two feet and five fingers.
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are those that require manual dexterity, or
small movements with the hands. In terms of being prepared for
kindergarten, this includes being able to cut with scissors,
write with a pencil and color with crayons or markers.
Painting, gluing, holding eating utensils and dressing oneself
are additional fine motor skills your child should have before
kindergarten. Gross motor skills involve the whole body. Before
starting kindergarten your child should be able to bounce a ball,
run, jump, climb and swing, according to Education.com.
Social, Etiquette and Personal Care Skills
Your child should be able to dress and feed himself, as well as
use the restroom on his own. He should also be able to wash his
own hands and blow his own nose, according to Education.com.
Most kindergartens want incoming students to be able to appropriately
use good manners, such as saying "please" and "thank you," as well as
have the ability to wait his turn and stand in line, according to
Scholastic.com. Your child should also be able to listen quietly, obey
directions from an adult, and display the ability and willingness to
share toys and other items. Knowing how to treat peers is another
important skill your child should have before entering kindergarten.
For example, your child should know that things like hitting, biting
and calling names aren't allowed.
What a Child Should Know Before Starting Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/way_5231547_child-should-before-starting-kindergarten.html
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 5
WHAT A CHILD
SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE
STARTING
KINDERGARDEN
RELATED
TOPICS
Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/education/k12/kindergarten/
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist for Parents
http://www.ehow.com/info_8442804_kindergarten-readiness-checklist-parents.html
Kindergarten Assessment Checklist
http://www.ehow.com/info_11372447_kindergarten-assessment-checklist.html
Emotional Preparation for Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/info_12280877_emotional-preparation-kindergarten.html
List of Things to Help Prepare Kids for Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/info_12310788_list-things-prepare-kids-kindergarten.html
How to Volunteer in Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/how_2277848_volunteer-kindergarten.html
10 Smart Tips from Preschool Teachers on Raising Kids
http://www.ehow.com/info_12340320_10-smart-tips-preschool-teachers-raising-kids.html
What Kids Are Required to Know Before They Go Into Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/video_12319778_kids-required-before-kindergarten.html
What Do Kindergarten Assessment Tests Involve?
http://www.ehow.com/info_8487332_do-kindergarten-assessment-tests-involve.html
What Should Toddlers Know Before Preschool?
http://www.ehow.com/info_12275716_should-toddlers-before-preschool.html
List of Skills Required for Preschoolers to Enter Kindergarten
http://www.ehow.com/info_12115996_list-skills-required-preschoolers-enter-kindergarten.html
List of What a First-Grader Should Know
http://www.ehow.com/info_8407937_list-first-grader-should.html
How to Teach a Child to Hold a Pencil
http://www.ehow.com/how_2083729_teach-child-hold-pencil.html
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 6
QUALITIES
TO BE A
SUCCESSFUL
PRESCHOOL
TEACHER
A child’s preschool experience is his or her introduction to
the world of education. As a preschool teacher, it is your
responsibility to provide kids with a safe, fun environment
where they can express themselves creatively, make new
friends and adjust to spending part of the day without their
mommies and daddies.
Teaching preschool is certainly not easy, although most teachers
say the job gets easier with experience. Nonetheless, there are
a number of essential qualities that make a successful preschool
teacher.
Personality
Being a successful preschool teacher requires extraordinary levels
of patience, enthusiasm, creativity, and, above all, a love of early
childhood education. A teacher must understand the needs of both the
children and their parents. As the link between home and school,
communicating effectively with parents is crucial to developing a
good relationship with the children and helping them grow.
Also, children develop and learn at very different speeds, so it’s
important to be extremely patient with those who are having difficulty.
A good teacher creates an encouraging atmosphere in which all students
support each other.
Educational Background
Educational qualifications vary by state, but most states require that
preschool teachers hold at least an associate’s degree and, in many
cases, a bachelor’s degree. A background in education is essential, and
a good candidate for a preschool teaching position will have taken
higher education classes in the fields of psychology, childhood
development, education, classroom management, and curriculum.
Many university courses also require aspiring teachers to gain some
hands-on experience volunteering in a classroom, day care center or
other similar environment.
Experience
Experience working with young children is one of the keys to being a
successful preschool teacher. Often the best preschool teachers are
those who grew up around younger siblings, have worked in camps and
schools or have raised children of their own.
Most beginner preschool teachers start out as assistants so they can
learn from other more experienced teachers. This on-the-job training
is incredibly valuable because it places less responsibility on the
assistant, so they can experiment with different teaching styles and
learn as they go.
Classroom Management
Management a classroom full of young children can be very challenging.
You have to gain the respect of the children without scaring them. You
want to be their friend but also want them to treat you as an authority
figure just as they would their parents.
A successful preschool teacher is able to control a classroom while always
keeping things educational and fun. Organization is extremely important.
Even though a classroom may look messy, there should always be an underlying
organizational theme tied to education--or else it’s just a playpen. Creating
a welcoming, engaging environment in which the children can learn while playing
is essential.
Dedication
Above all, to be successful preschool teacher, you should really believe in what
you are doing. You should care tremendously about the progress and well-being of
each and every child in the classroom.
Teaching preschool can be tiring and stressful, but it is also incredibly rewarding
in the end. A bad experience in preschool can really compromise a child’s educational
future, so you should always do your best to encourage children and foster their
learning. On the other hand, no teacher is perfect and you shouldn’t get too
discouraged when you make mistakes now and then.
Qualities to Be a Successful Preschool Teacher
http://classroom.synonym.com/qualities-successful-preschool-teacher-2471.html
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 7
KINDERGARDEN
PRE-KINDERGARDEN
PRE KINDERGARDEN
PRESCHOOL
LINKS
ALPHABET ACTIVITIES
http://yourchildlearns.com/alphabet-activities.html
The Art of Teaching Preschool: Learn The Skills
http://www.brighthub.com/education/early-childhood/articles/49526.aspx
Here Comes Kindergarten: Starting School
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/back-to-school/here-comes-kindergarten-starting-school
How can I help my child get ready for kindergarten
http://howkidsdevelop.com/developKindergarten.html
How can I prepare my child for kindergarten?
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-can-i-prepare-my-child-for-kindergarten_67245.bc
Kindergarten
http://www.getreadyforschool.com/kindergarten/kindergarten.html
Kindergarteners: First Days of School
http://gaining.educ.msu.edu/resources/node/300
Preparing for Kindergarten
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/what-to-expect-grade/preparing-kindergarten
Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten
http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/kindergarten_prep.html
Preschoolers (3-5 years of age)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/preschoolers.html
Preschool skills checklist
http://www.leapfrog.com/en-us/learning-path/articles/preschool-skills-checklist.html
Sandbox Learning
http://www.sandbox-learning.com/
Starting Kindergarten: How to Prepare Your Child
http://school.familyeducation.com/kindergarten/anxiety/51261.html
Things your Child Should Know before the First Day of Kindergarten
http://www.childup.com/blog/Things-your-Child-Should-Know-before-the-First-Day-of-Kindergarten
What Qualities Should Preschool Teachers Have?
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/09/14/what-qualities-should-preschool-teachers-have.html
What Your Child Should Know and Be Able to Do Upon Entering Kindergarten
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_What_your_child/
Education.com
http://www.education.com/
Academic Educational Encyclopedia
Free Online educational encyclopedia
http://academickids.com/
Nick Jr.
http://www.nickjr.com/
BACK TO TOP
CHILD INDEX
EDUCATION INDEX
HOME
E-MAIL