What should my daughter know entering kindergarten?

Question

My daughter is 4, and this is her last year before kindergarten. I am just curious what she should know entering kindergarten. Also, would it be more beneficial to put her into a pre-school this fall or spend her last year at home with me? I never went to pre-school, and I did fine, but I don't know how it works now.

Answer 1

This is such a popular question.  I'm glad people are considering what their children "should" know and are working toward it...because, in truth, Kindergarten expectations are definately higher than we were in school.

If you live in the states, I recommend that you check out your state's Kindergarten Curriculum.  This is usually what they aim for by the end of Kindergarten-it will definately give you a goal to work toward.  

Basic Concepts:

Colors---go beyond the basic colors... discuss and explore with color mixing and adding white/black to make shades.  Young children pick this up so quickly!

Shapes---go beyond the basic shapes and include octagon, hexagon, pentagon, sphere, rhombus, trapezoid, etc.  Again...they pick this up very well

Math---1:1 correspondence; rote counting to at least 30 but most 4-5 year olds can hit 100; counting with meaning at least to 10 but again, they can usually get to about 30; patterning...start with ABAB but move on, "story problems"/intro to addition/subtraction, sequencing, seriation, comparing-measuring, understands the cocept of zero, introduction to parts and wholes, classification, first and last.

Science: Five senses, what living things need, what's natural and what's man made, body parts...for the most part we want them to be CURIOUS, be problem solvers, be persistant.

Language:  Listens and comprehends, plays with sounds/rhyming, can create complete sentences, can retell story, can tell about something that is important to them, beginning sounds, syllables, print/book awareness, letter knowledge, beginning to identify high-frequency words, ENJOYS READING, attempts to write, should definately know how to write their name, dictates, ...

Social-Emotional: emotions, can separate from adult with no problem, will join in groups/is comfortable with other children, can control volume of speech, stays involved with a chosen tasks, is aware and respects what others wish, shows empathy, takes responsibility of behavior, shows self-discipline, etc.

I won't include large motor since this is something that usually comes very natural to preschool children.

Of course, this list in not complete but it definately gives you an idea.

As for whether or not to send her to preschool... I am definately a fan of preschool.  But this is your own decision... has your child been with her peers without a parent?  Have you been going to story times and playgroups?  Preschool is very much "social".  When we went to school, Kindergarten is where we learned the social side of things...now so much is expected in Kindergarten that children that have experienced social-school expectations tend to benefit...because there really isn't that much time to teach it.  I find that in most Kindergartens...the teachers need to be able to "jump right in" that first week of school.  Good luck in your decision making!

Answer 2

She should know her colors her shapes her sounds her letters and at least be able to count to 10 she should also know her home phone, address, birth day month and year, Mom and Dads name, Last name, and Her name of course and how to write her 1st and last name . And thats about all.  :)   And the last part of your Q  after the word also i dont get it. But i hope i helped anyway

Answer 3

1. All the basic colors

2. Count to 20

3. Know her ABC's

4. Be able to tie her shoes

5. Be able to read digital/analog clocks

6. Simple addition and subtraction

7. Basic Shapes

8. Four Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall)

9. Months of the years

10. Days of the week

Answer 4

How to use Scissors

How to write her name

How to use glue

Letters in her name

How to listen to a story and answer questions

Sit for 10 minutes

Follow a routine

Follow directions

Know some numbers, shapes

Know colors

How to hold a pencil

Share toys, supplies etc

Wait her turn/  wait in line/wait time

Not bite or hit to communicate anger

Put on coat, hats and mittens  by herself

Be able to quietly look at a book for a few minutes

Entertain self

Answer 5

I would say that yes preschool will benefit her but I would also encourage learning at home too and children react different in settings and home environment..learning different things in each situations.

Things I would ensure she is aware of:

-social skills-sharing, being used to other children, giving eye contact, turn taking (basic not too advanced).

-communication-speaking in sentences, able to express thoughts and feelings

-interest in stories maybe having a favourite book also an interest in 'mark making' by this I mean her own drawings, pretend writing etc.

-physical: able to walk and run without banging into things! Hold a pencil and smaller toys like threading beads.

-maths-interest in numbers-enjoys singing number rhymes, if you encourage counting start 1-5 and make sure she understand that if you say "can i have 5 pencils?" she passes you 5 and not a handful as anyone can learn to SAY 1,2,3,4,5.

creative-enjoys painting, glueing, maybe scissor control. Plays small world pretend games, dressing up etc.

But really you just want her to be a happy child who feels secure, the learning will come if she has achieved this!