Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Developed by Northern Kentucky Kintergarten Readiness Committee

June 2008

Schools, families and communities can all work together to help children build skills in all areas of development. The experiences children have from birth to age 5 lay the foundation for school readiness.

Skills and behaviors to expect for most young children at the beginning of Kindergarten:

Emotional Development
To be away from parents/family without being upset
To follow simple rules and routines
To express his or her own wants and needs
To express concern for other’s feelings

Social Development
To get along with others

To share with others
To participate in large and small group activities
To listen to adults/others and follow simple instructions
To work with others reasonably well

Physical Development and Care
To have visited the doctor and dentist

To dress and meet toileting needs independently
To run, jump, hop, and climb
To use pencils, crayons, and scissors in some fashion

Language/Vocabulary
To use 5 – 6 word sentences

To recognize and say simple rhymes
To sing simple songs

Academic Skills to expect at the beginning of kindergarten are:
Writing and Reading
Try to write first name

Tell the difference between print and pictures
Write or scribble notes, letters, stories
Recognize own name in print
Hold a book correctly
Recognize letters of the alphabet
Listen to stories read to them
Tell that print/words, not pictures, is read

Math
Rote count to 10
Sort objects by color, size, or shape
Understand simple concepts of time

What you can do to help:

Read with your child every day
Talk to children about topics they are interested in
Point out and read signs in their environment, such as stop signs, menus, and groceries
Read books about feelings and help them label and talk about their feelings
Answer your child's questions
Point out and discuss shapes and colors at home
Cook together and have the children measure the ingredients
Identify and eat healthy foods
Count throughout the day
Get a library card together
Take your child to regular check-ups with their doctor and dentist

Visit Success by 6 for more information on helping your child be ready for success by age 6.