Ready? Kindergarten teachers give tell-tale signs kids are good to go

Whether your child is in preschool, day care or at home, the transition from early education programs to kindergarten can be stressful for children, parents and educators. It is important for parents to have tips and tools for guiding children through the process.

For many children, kindergarten is the first experience in a formal school setting. Children should be physically, socially and emotionally prepared for school.

▪ Physical aspects – Children should be able to use fine and gross motor skills, including using scissors, writing, and coloring while holding the pencil or crayon correctly. Common gross motor skills include running, jumping, climbing and bouncing a ball.

▪ Personal needs – Children should be able to use the bathroom and wash their hands on their own. They should be able to put on their clothes, shoes and jackets by themselves.

▪ Social and emotional – Children should be able to share, follow simple instructions, take turns and follow routines. They should be able to listen to a story in a group setting.

Daily practice will build confidence.

When parents establish a reading routine with their children, they provide more family bonding time and an opportunity to improve their children’s vocabulary and preliteracy skills.

The following are some vital readiness skills kindergarten students will be expected to have when school begins:

▪ Vocabulary – Children should be able to retell a simple story and recount significant events. Parents should ask the child questions about the story. Engaging in daily conversations can help build vocabulary.

▪ Letter knowledge – Children should be able to recognize the letters in their name.

▪ Rhyming – Children should be able to identify rhyming words.

▪ Print awareness – They need to know how to handle books and how to follow words on a page.

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Always keep in mind that learning should be a fun, positive experience for your child.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Ready? Kindergarten teachers give tell-tale signs kids are good to go."