Kindergarten
can be an exciting time for children and parents, but it can also be scary.
Knowing if your child is ready to learn in a new environment can be tricky, and
knowing what to look for is sometimes difficult.
During this
important time, it’s likely you have a lot of questions.
“How do I know
if my child is ready for kindergarten?”
“What should I
be doing to make sure they’re learning at home?”
“What skills
does he/she need to be successful?”
If you don’t
know the answers to these questions, or have more concerns about kindergarten
readiness, your Ypsilanti preschool teachers and daycare professionals want to
help!
Here are several
areas that Pre-K students, parents, and teachers should be focusing on,
according to Ann Barbour, a professor of childhood education at California
State University, Los Angeles:
Self-Care
By the time
kindergarten starts, your child should be able to get dressed by themselves,
and know basic self-help skills like using writing utensils, etc.
Using Language to Express Needs and Wants
It’s important
for your child to be able to talk with adults and other children. They should
also be able to play well with their classmates, so make sure to talk with them
about sharing and making friends.
Shape, Color and Letter Recognition
Your child
should be able to write basic letters, especially the letters in their own
name. Shapes and colors are important and easy to work on at home. Alphabet
magnets are a great way to teach your child basic spelling, and using food dye
and cookie cutters can be a fun way to learn both shapes and colors.
Eagerness to Learn
Showing
curiosity and a willingness to learn new things is an important development for
young children. Teaching your kids that learning can be fun instead of scary
will help them
Most
kindergarten readiness skills are already being taught in preschool or daycare,
but your child can benefit from continuing to learn at home. The more you can
do to prepare for kindergarten, the less scary it will be for the both of you.
According to Barbour,
“you can also help your child prepare for the actual transition to kindergarten
by talking about what will happen.” Much of the preparation is about making
sure that your child is comfortable and happy.
Kindergarten
readiness involves both you and your child, and your Ypsilanti preschool professional can
help! Make sure to find out what your Pre-K teachers have planned for your
child, and find out what you can do to make their learning experience as
beneficial as possible.
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