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Pre-School and Daycare
eesome
member
What is expected before starting kindergarten?
eesome
member
What is expected the children know before they start Kindergarten? I know it's much tougher than it was when we were little, and I am getting mixed answers from so many people. Some say just letters and numbers. Some say they need to write and read. Some say abcs, count to 50, reading/writing and addition/subtraction/mutiplication.
Does this vary by state, or is there a set of requirements across the board? TIA!
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Re: What is expected before starting kindergarten?
I am a kindergarten teacher in a school where almost all kids are on free lunch and come from a low socioeconomic background. Most know no letters, no numbers, can't count, and don't know how to write their name. Many don't know how to hold a pencil or use scissors. Some cannot even tell me their name. This being said, almost all of them are reading by the time they leave my classroom.
I am only saying this because kids come to me with all kinds of background knowledge. Yes, it would be great if they know their letters and numbers, but not required. Our readiness test for kindergarten tests kids on their uppercase alphabet, recognizing numbers to 1-10, saying their whole name, writing their first and last name, counting 5 objects, colors, 4 basic shapes, drawing 3 shapes, counting to 15 and using scissors. Kids can make 51 on test but most make in the 20's and some make 0. I have at least 3 kids this year that made a 0 on it and now know at least 100 sight words, can write to 100 or more, and can read basic readers.
My own son could start kindergarten this year, but he's never been in day care so he's going to a 5 day a week, 3 hour a day preschool. If he took the readiness test, he would make a 51, but there are still many things he needs to learn in kindergarten.
I wouldn't worry about it. No matter what your child will be successful because you seem like a wonderful caring mom who will be your child's best teacher.
This is a good checklist with ideas on how to strengthen those skills. It is similar to the one we give out at our school.
https://www.polk-fl.net/parents/preschool/documents/prekkindergartenreadinesschecklist.pdf
Wonderful. I thought for sure he was behind. He recognizes all his letters and numbers, understands reading, knows his name and how to spell it, and loves basic math. I was just worried he would need a ton more knowledge prior to Kindergarten that maybe his pre-school wasn't providing.
Thanks for all the great information! Much appreciated.
This makes it very obvious it differes by state. Our kids are expected to count one to one corespondence to 20, count to 50, read 25 basic sight words, read basic cvc words. Write their first and last names.Ours are expected to have reading basics.
Besides the academics, kids need to know how to sit and listen. They need to learn how to work both independently and in a small group. They need to follow directions. They need to learn how to focus and pay attention in large group and small group setting. They need to follow the classroom rules and routines. They need to know how to process information and answer questions. These skills are just as important as knowing their letter and numbers.
I agree with akayf. As much as kids are expected to know and do a lot in Kindergarten, a lot of the biggest and hardest for them is the social and behavioral. I live near Andrewsgal and I would say almost all the kids in DD1's Kindergarten could read and write their own first and last name, recognized all their letters and numbers, count to at least 20+, do basic addition and subtraction (without realizing it) and probably recognize a handful of common words or more at the beginning of Kindergarten. None of that was required, though, and there were kids who came in knowing less and have done fine. BUT more than that, there are 23 kids and one teacher in there. They have to be able to learn and work independently, listen attentively and focus for really long periods of time. They have to be used to mommy going away and coming back and opening their own lunch and eating it without being directed what to eat first (and yes, a lot eat the dessert first). They have to figure out how to put things on their lunch tray and balance it and carry it to their table without spilling and then how to dump it and return it before going out to recess. They have to empty their backpack at the beginning of the day and put everything where it goes and then pack it all up again at the end of the day. Little things like this are a huge part of Kindergarten and what I saw a lot of kids struggling with in the first few weeks/months. It's a 7 hour day and they work hard for most of that. It's intense and exhausting and the teacher doesn't have the time that I know she'd like to focus on any one child for long whether it's for academic reasons or behavioral. It's just not feasible.
On a side note - am I misreading your ticker or do you still have another year and a half before Kindergarten? Surely he's not starting this September, right? A young four-year-old is miles away from a five-and-a-half-year-old starting Kindergarten. You have plenty of time to work on skills and play and relax.
That is nuts. I find it so hard to believe that the entire state expects that. I would think that is more to do with specific school districts.
I am a teacher who was working with 5 different kindergarten classrooms before I went on leave, and it varies so much. I agree with "reading readiness" stuff (phonemic awareness). Understanding rhymes, knowing sounds, recognizing names, counting, 1:1... no reason to get crazy. Lots of exposure and FUN opportunities to learn right now.
Are you sure the bolded parts aren't what they are expected to know at the END of kindergarten?
OP-your little guy is the same age as mine. Trust me, my kid is no where NEAR ready for kindergarten right now...academcially or socially. Heck, at his preschool conference in Feb, I was doubiting he was going to be ready for the 4s in Sept!!!!!! But he has grown leaps and bounds the past couple months. And I know there is going to be so much more growth next year.
Like I said before, I really feel that the social emotional stuff is just as important as all the academics.
Agreed. I live in one of the best school districts in MA, and no way are kids expected to be reading sight words before entering Kindergarten. They like them to know their uppercase letters, how to write their first name, hop on one foot and some other gross motor stuff, and a few other VERY basic things. But, as the principal of DD's school said, "If they are 5 by 9/1, we will take them, and we will get them where they need to be." Some of the kids haven't been to preschool. Some are reading. There is such a wide range. DD's preschool is play-based, and they definitely DO NOT work on sight words or the like. DD is reading independently. Some of the others are still working on writing their names. They will all do fine in Kindergarten. I wouldn't worry that your preschool is not preparing him adequately.
Our school district sent home a letter with the preschoolers detailing what they'd like to see - children with the skills to be independant (toileting, eating and disposing of their lunch, asking a teacher for assistance and naming the problem), children with good fine motor skills (emphasized using scissors and things like lacing fruit loops) to help with writing readiness, an ability to recognize their name.
They specifically emphasized that memorization of things like numbers to 100 is not what should be worked on.
So who knows.
I'm a kindergarten teacher. It's kind of a tough question to answer because so much is developmental and kids come in with a wide variety of skills. With that said, I'm going to list some things that would be great to practice, but try to do so with no pressure.
Recognizing upper and lowercase letters (all taught in K, but nice to know at least most upper before starting)
Counting objects with one-to-one correspondence, at least to 10
Counting to at least 10 or 20
Recognizing/writing own first name
Using scissors properly
Coloring
Following 2-3 step directions
Being responsible for own belongings
Pre-reading skills - holding book properly, turning pages, understanding that letters make up words, left-to-right progression of words/book
Those are the biggest things that come to mind. Don't stress about it - just do some fun projects that incorporate some of the things above. Read, read, read to your little one!
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I still think that requirement is nuts. Most kids are not at the level. Why bother with kindergarten? We live in a great school district and are surrounded by good towns. The districts teach that stuff in kindergarten. Many of the pre-k kids I know are not ready to learn to read. Fort Worth preschools must be amazing!
My short suggestion is to call your State's Board of Education and ask them specifically what they are looking for - or a website they could refer you to to assist you in this.
In our state, preK is not necessary however it does help children's introduction into the schooling years. From some research I pulled for you:
https://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/ready-for-kindergarten
Enthusiasm Toward Learning
Solid Oral-Language Skills
The Ability to Listen
The Desire to Be Independent
The Ability to Play Well with Others
Strong Fine-Motor Skills
Basic Letter and Number Recognition
I was also going to add a plus maybe is basic shapes, numbers, colors, ABC's...I never saw anything on reading or writing, so I could imagine that that occurs within the school years.
In todays age, in order for DS to have a positive social experience, children are now only found in the preschools during the week. Mommy & Me GTGs are reserved for the younger children (Infants, Babies, Young Toddlers).
When I was a child preschool kids were less common, and more found with SAHMs on the playground. Times have surely changed.
I teach K in a demanding district in Maryland. The school I teach at is mostly Spanish speaking, low income students and many of them come in not even knowing their letters, yet I have more than half reading above grade level by the end of the year!
If they work hard, pay attention and have minimal behavior issues, they should turn out fine in the hands of a good teacher. However as a teacher, here are the things I feel they should know/be able to do before K to optimize their learning (and make it much easier on them!):
- Sit quietly (and STILL!) listening to a story/lesson
- Follow 2 step directions, keep their hands to themselves
- Hold a pencil correctly, write their name and use scissors correctly
- Recognize upper+lowercase letters (being able to somewhat write them would be great too!)
- Self help skills (using the bathroom, unzipping/snapping pants, wiping nose, etc.)
- Count out loud to 20, count objects to 10, recognize numbers 1-10
I think exposure is the most important part of early learning. I've found the students whose parents read to them, talk with them, and teach them through play (counting steps as they walk, pointing out letters they see while driving, writing letters in shaving cream, etc.) always are those who thrive (and we have HIGH expectations where I teach!). I'm sure your LO will do fine!
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