For many parents the time to send their children off to school for the first time is approaching. Kindergarten is a big step for both the parents and the children. Both are excited and nervous as they begin a new chapter in their lives. But is your child ready for kindergarten? What do you need to work on over the summer to be sure your child starts out on the right foot in this new and exciting world?
Skills Checklist:
You may want to discuss any issues, questions or concerns with your pediatrician or have your child be evaluated by teacher for an individual assessment.
Listening skills
Follow a two or three part command or directions in sequence without help
Listen to a story without interrupting
Ability to recognize authority
Fine-motor skills
Holds a pencil correctly
Draws a circle and square without help
Draws a person with head, body, arms, and legs
Ability to use a fork and spoon
Ability to zip and button and unbutton shirts and pants
Cut with scissors
Large-motor skills
Hopping
Skipping (even a little)
Pedaling a three-wheeler
Swings by pumping legs
Turning a somersault
Walking heel-to-toe
Throwing a ball
Language and thinking skills
Ability to speak in sentences of five or more words
Ability to speak understandably by strangers
Ability to retell a story just read to
Ability to tell about events of the day or an experience although not necessarily in the correct order
Ability to appreciate humor and understand why something is funny
Ability to look at pictures and tell a story
Identify letters and numbers
Identify the beginning sounds of words
Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
Ability to sort objects by size, shape or color
Ability to show empathy
Understanding of time sequence and the ability to use past and future verb tenses correctly
Ability to identify at least six colors
Self-care skills
Able to go to the bathroom independently
Washes and dries hands
Ability to sit and each lunch on his ow
Ability to dress himself