I have a 4-yr old boy....please help?

Question

My 4 yr-4month old boy goes to pre-school ever since he was 2.5 yrs old. He will be going to K next Sept. I need to find out what all he is required to know before he joins K...I have heard they should have learnt to read, write alpahbets, numbers etc by the time they go to K....He still can't read or write though he recognises all alphabets and numbers from 1-10.

Answer 1

My son is starting Kindergarten this fall, as well, and I had the same concerns.  I asked his preschool teacher to do a "kindergarten readiness" evaluation on him, and I also contacted the school he is going to attend and asked for their "requirements", which they had available in printed form.  Between the two, I was able to guage where he is, and what we need to work on.  Also, ask the school what their requirements are for completion of kindergarten - I found it to be very helpful to know the goals we're striving for.  Where we live, I was shocked to learn how heavy the curriculum is, and what they expect kids to know - much more than the colors and ABC's when I was a kid.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Just let him have fun and go at his own pace. Instead of messing up the kids life let him go at his own pace, help him out if he gets stuck, and have fun. If you don't do this he will end up like Michael Jackson. LOL

Answer 3

If your son is already going to preschool they should be working on a school readiness prgram with all the children. Ask your childs preschool teachers if you can see his protfolio or any observations they have done on him they may help give you an idea. Also they may prepare a report that can be passed along to any new school for you.

Answer 4

Going to K kids do not need must experience. If your little boy knows his alphabet and numbers that is pretty good. But, I suggest you help him write his name, the alphabets and numbers down, when I was in K, I was new to the English language so I practically had an accent, and during K I learned how to write, read and talk without my accent. So, Just help with his writing and he will be good to go.

Answer 5

I don't know where you heard that he should have to read.

Sure it helps, but that's pretty much what they teach them in Kindergarten.

He will be fine, but it might be helpful if you read books to him so he will be more comfortable.

Answer 6

So much depends are where you are.  Most Preschools, not daycare, but dedicated preschools, will gear their curriculum towards beginning kinder expectations.  

I know that here in Texas there are no "requirements" for entering kinder, but most school will have a list of "helpful skills" some may include basic sight words, counting, recognizing letters and numbers, identifying name.  I would think it unusual to expect a child to read or write properly before entering the school system, but many state/districts do have exit requirements including being at a certain reading level, math skills, and legible writing, but every school system has independence in those matters.  

My cousin teaches K in Missouri and her children have to read on a1st grade level in order to move to first grade, stupid.  

Here in my local districts, there needed to be a certain level of improvement for beginning to end of year, but even then the decision to hold back was not taken lightly.

My daughter just turned four, thankfully giving her one more year of preschool before K.

Answer 7

the requirment  vary from school you need to cheke withthe school you are going to in role him in. but i beleve that it

unreale to expxct i child to know all that befor thay go to k i thought that was why we sent then to k  i beleave we are put to much presuer on are know to learn be for that go to school and we are not leting them just be kids. think of when you went to school k was opctinal and it was a1/2 day most places when i was LITTLE.

Answer 8

Preschool is important. ;)

If he seems to have good self-esteem, is not stressed out about his current daily schedule, is welcoming to change, and is socially mature and ready...ask what his current teacher(s) and/or preschool director thinks of this option.

Also, ask him...is HE excited about going to "big kid" school? (elementary)

If not, then don't push him. And in this meantime, teach him about writing/reading...if he's interested.

*I know, for many parents it would save money for one year less of tuition...but if he's not ready, this time he doesn't have to be and will still be on-schedule! ;)

A year is only a year.

Answer 9

He is just fine. Some kids can read and write that early, myself having been one of them, but very few. I was the only kid in my K class that could read or write. They go over all that, and make sure all students are caught up to where they should be. Don't let it stress you out, your child is well ahead of the minimum skill level for kindergarten. K class is actually where they are supposed to learn those basic skills, that's the whole purpose, to set them up for more involved reading and writing in grade 1. In our kindergarten class, we didn't even get to the reading stage, we just learned our alphabet, reading wasn't covered until grade 1 (unless you count two or three word  sentences). Your child will be just fine.

Answer 10

the best way to find out is to go to a local school and ask a kindergarten teacher. my sister is in pre-school and she is required to know most of the colors , numbers up to 100 and being able to count lik 101, 110, 121, also she needs to know the whole alphabet, and locations like up down below, beneath , left right , behind , front

Answer 11

Boys are impatient and they dont have long attention span. They hate repetitive instructions and easily get bored.  My kid was also like that. I got a lot of problem with him coz he seems witty but cant concentrate. You have got to be patient with your child. If in doubt, have him subjected to psychological test which can be handled by their school guidance counselor, just to eliminate any doubts lurking behind your imagination. My boy has hurdled his kinder and elementary problems and is now in college taking up an Engineering course.

Answer 12

If your son cannot write the alphabet, try writing them with a highlighter  and encouraging him to trace them, to get the motion beginning.  Keep practicing with numbers and his name.  Soon, after much practice, your son will beam with enthusiastic confidence  that he can DO IT !   Call your school to see if they have a kindergarten screening scheduled.  Then you may find out what you need to do tp prepare your son to be ready for class.   Have fun   and hope this helps.  Been there with twin boys ....

Answer 13

He is doing fine.

Answer 14

Kindergartners are not expected to read and write before they come into school. Don't forget a lot of parents do not send their children to preschool. They go right into kindergarten from home. In my state it is a law that you dont have to enter kindergarten untill you are age 7. However most enter when they are 5. Each state is going to have different curriculum. If you are very concerned, email one of your local school's kindergarten teachers and ask if there is anything you can work on over the summer before he comes.

Answer 15

Add shapes and colors to the list. Kids don't need to read before they get to kindergarten; they teach reading-readiness. Writing is not necessary, either.

Answer 16

Don't worry at all. I found this great website that contains a checklist of all the things a child should be required to know before he/she attends Kindergarten.

http://www.preschoolerstoday.com/resourc...

I hope this website is useful. Good luck and be proud of his skills.

Answer 17

There is no real prerequisitie for entering kindergarten. There are some things he should know before going in, but if he's going into public school, he won't be turned away or anything like that. My son just turned five and will be entering the kindergarten as well next year. Kindergartners should be able to recognize their own name, recognize most of their letters and what sounds they make, count and recognize numbers 1-10. If he can't do that, don't panic. He'll be fine. Just keep working with him, read to him every night and practice counting different things. It's more important that he knows how to do all of that by the time he's LEAVING Kindergarten. It's surprising that his preschool hasn't taught him all of that yet, however.

Answer 18

The most important part of school readiness is health! Is your child healthy and happy?  All that carp about knowing letters and letter sounds, counting to 20, writing his name, comparing and measuring, sorting... all of that isn't going to matter if your kid is not healthy.  Most schools don't have expectations of a kindergartners academic skills.  A good Kindergarten teacher will take a child where they are at (academically) and help them become successful students. Another important aspect of school readiness is social interactions.  Is your child socially and emotionally ready to be in school?  Don't sweat all that hullabaloo! Just be a supportive parent and stay INVOLVED throughout your child's academic career and your kid will be fine!

I am not discrediting academic skills, I am jsut saying that if your child is not healthy s/he wont be able to put their best foot forward.  Kids that are healthy do better in school and don't miss as many days etc...

Answer 19

I am a kindergarten teacher and this is what most kids comein knowing...and should know---

- their name and how to write and recognize it

- Letters both upper and lower and somes sounds

-colors and shapes

-count to 10-20

-how to listen without inturrupting

-how to follow directions

-bathroom needs

-able to dress independently (coats, boots, sweaters ect.)

-they dont need to read but should enjoy and have interest in books and stories

-phone number and address is not always known but is a good skill along with tying shoes.

hope this helps, sound like he is on track

let me know if you need more info