What Every Kindergartner Should Master Before School Begins

Most 5-year-olds have already been in the process of preparing for their opportunity to learn and grow in school. Whether they attended preschool, participated in play groups or were taught at home, they have been made aware of at least a few of the things they may be doing in school. 

Although some parents may wonder about school readiness, others won’t give it a second thought. Some will simply check birthday requirements and enroll their child based on a proper set of numbers.

However, being the right age for school does not guarantee success. Here are five things every kindergarten child should know before enrolling.

Phonics:  A 5-year-old does not need to master every single letter or letter sound before starting school. However, he or she should be able to recognize a majority of upper and lowercase letters and at least a handful of letter sounds. 

Every letter and consonant sound will be thoroughly studied in kindergarten. But it will be overwhelming to learn to recognize the numerous lines, circles and slants that seem to be going in all different directions without some previous experience in this area. 

And children who can identify letter sounds have “crossed the bridge to understanding” in the phonics world. They know letters have a purpose besides just looking unique.

Numbers, Shapes and Colors: Counting and recognizing numbers from 0 to 10, and being aware of the names of basic shapes and colors is important as your child begins school. He or she should know what a triangle is, but it will not be the end of the world if they can’t recognize a hexagon. The same applies to colors: Blue is important, turquoise can be explained later. And they will be ahead of the game if they can recite your telephone number!

Take Care of Basic Needs:  With 30 or more children in the class, your child’s teacher will not have time to pop straws into water pouches, tie shoes or assist with using the bathroom. So, if junior cannot tie, consider Velcro. And recognize that some snack packaging is more difficult to open and close, so choose products accordingly. Or, better yet, fresh fruit beats out processed food in nutrition value. Provide your child with protein and essential nutrients to help them replenish and grow.

Sit Still and Focus: If you happen to be the parent of a little boy, the title of this section may send you into panic mode. Don’t worry! Kindergarten teachers are well aware boys are different from girls. It can be a bit difficult to sit for long periods of time without moving or making a sound. If your child is challenged in this area, consider practicing with story time at the public library and by reading to them daily and encouraging them to take their turn with household responsibilities. Don’t allow them to interrupt an adult conversation or be given all your undivided attention at every moment. Help them become accustomed to listening and taking turns.

Separate Anxiety: Kids need to be able to walk in the classroom door without falling apart. Which means you will need to smile without flooding up with tears! Your child is about to enter in to an amazing new world filled with wonder and excitement. Yes, you may shed a tear or two on that very first day, but try not let your child see it, lest he or she take a clue from you and think there is something to panic about.

Last But Not Least: What if you read this article and are worried your child may not be ready? Don’t panic. It is never too late to change directions or learn something new. Begin to make adjustments in your child’s life to help him or her prepare for this new phase. Or, if your child’s fifth birthday occurred very recently or has not yet arrived, you could consider the “gift of one year” and perhaps opt to wait for next fall.

Either way, begin to work on the things you see as important and hopefully everything else will fall into place. Remember, your child’s teacher is your best resource. Do not be afraid to ask questions or to request a conference. Kindergarten teachers realize parents may not have the same experience when it comes to helping children as they begin school. They are ready to offer helpful hints and reassuring smiles to assist you in this journey!