Preparing your preschooler for kindergarten is a huge responsibility. The first step is to begin researching schools in your local area. Although many schools accept students based on age, your children’s readiness for kindergarten depends on the level of social, perceptual, motor, and language development expected by the teacher. Some of those skills include the ability to work independently, to identify sounds and letters, and to strengthen fine motor skills, such as the ability to hold a crayon, pencil, or paintbrush.
Based on research and surveys by kindergarten teachers, Nancy McEntire was able to develop a Kindergarten Readiness Checklist to identify the skills that teachers look for in incoming Kindergarten students.
This checklist is broken into broad areas that include social, motor, and knowledge skills.
Social Skills
Many Kindergarten teachers agreed that the ability to function within a cooperative learning environment where the child works both independently and as a member of small and large groups as a vital skill. In addition, students are expected to work on and complete tasks, follow two- and three-step directions, take turns sharing, caring for personal needs, and following rules.
Motor Skills
Kindergarteners are also expected to have mastered many large muscle skills such as walking, running and climbing. Their fine motor skills, such as using pencils and scissors, should improve as well. Some teachers expect children to be able print their names, others expect children to be able to identify it if it were written out.
Knowledge Skills
Knowledge Skills
Many teachers expect children to be able to name colors, shapes, sizes, and to organize objects into groups upon entering kindergarten. In addition, teachers might expect prospective students to recognize rhyming sounds, trace basic shapes, and retell a simple story in their own words.
To help your children help develop the skills they will need for kindergarten, you may want to consider enrolling them in the Kumon Math and Reading programs. Kumon helps build the math and reading skills that your children need for kindergarten and can also help them develop study skills that will last a lifetime.
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For more information on Kumon Math and Reading Center of Issaquah Highlands, please email Cindy McVay at Issaquah_WA@iKumon.com to schedule your free placement test. Research Kumon on their website and on Facebook or call Cindy McVay, M.Ed. in Issaquah at 425-369-1072. Placement testing is always free.
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Issaquah Highlands
1036 NE Park Drive, Issaquah, WA 98029 | 425-369-1072
Tue: 3:30pm - 6:30pm | Wed: 3:30pm - 7:00pm | Thu: 3:30pm - 6:30pm | Sat: 9:00am - 12:30pm
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Class Hours:
Tue: 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Wed: 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Thu: 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Sat: 9:00am - 12:30pm
